CPE board approves proposed tuition increases at EKU, Murray State and WKU

June 13, 2025

At its June meeting, the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) board approved a recommendation to raise undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees for resident students at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), Murray State University (MSU) and Western Kentucky University (WKU) by $420 for the 2025-26 school year, in accordance with CPE’s tuition parameters. The university boards approved these increases prior to CPE board approval.

• At EKU, this action will increase base undergraduate resident tuition and fees from $10,020 to $10,440, or by 4.2%. This revenue will offset a projected 3.8% increase ($10.3M) in fixed costs.
• At MSU, this action will increase base undergraduate resident tuition and fees from $9,900 to $10,320, or by 4.2%. This revenue will offset a projected 4.6% increase ($9.1M) in fixed costs.
• At WKU, this action will increase base undergraduate resident tuition and fees from $11,452 to $11,872, or by 3.7%. Despite this increase, anticipated revenue is projected to decrease by $326,000. However, fixed costs also are projected to decrease by 1.3% ($3.2M).

Additionally, the board took the following actions:

• Approved two new academic programs: a Bachelor of Science for surgical first assistants at the University of Kentucky and a Master of Science in nonprofit leadership studies at Murray State University.
• Approved tuition reciprocity agreements between select Kentucky public postsecondary institutions and institutions in Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia. The agreements enable Kentucky residents to attend these out-of-state schools at in-state rates, and vice versa.
• Approved the reallocation of dollars in Kentucky State University’s performance improvement fund, authorized by House Bill 250 (passed by the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly). Unspent funding in the amount of $2 million originally designated for the development of an engineering program will now support new online programs ($1 million) and enhanced accounting and auditing functions ($1 million).
• Approved the CPE agency budget for fiscal year 2025-26.
• Approved changes to the statewide dual credit policy to align with the passage of House Bill 193 and House Bill 4 during the 2025 legislative session, as well as other technical changes.
• Approved a revision to CPE’s Tuition and Mandatory Fee Policy to make student-endorsed special use fees and certain asset preservation fees subject to tuition and fee parameters, beginning in 2025-26. Previously, these fees were exempt.

In other business, the CPE board heard presentations from EKU and Morehead State University about annual progress made toward statewide strategic agenda goals.

Council meeting materials are available here. The board will hold its next work session on Sept. 11, followed by the regular board meeting on Sept. 12, at Somerset Community College.