Here's the page about tuition.

Oh, Yeah. It's A Lot.

Reference 1

The total increase from 2025 to 2028 is 31.75%, not just 12%

Before I address this, there's one thing I'd like you to keep in mind.

The 12% hike vote was not unanimous. If you just want the bullet points, skip the smaller font.

There are a couple of provisions saying the increase can't go above 6% and the board could do emergency increases if they needed to.

So, the board make an emergency decision to add an extra 5% to tuition across the board for 2025. The general reason was paying the staff. Generally, this was received as not a big deal, since a few years had passed since the previous increase.

Then, in January of this year, the board instituted more emergency measures, because...they had to pay the staff. 12% , stair stepped over the next few years.

People were...not pleased. I get it. Even more now that I've done the math. So, just in case you didn't know, the percentage increases ... are being added on top of the HEPI percentages, not instead of.

I had assumed the increases would have been stacked from how they were presented, but they turned out to be compounded. What does that mean? (All comparisons are for 4 years undergrad, assuming 30 credits per year.)

Reference 2

Part 2

UPDATE 9/18/26 (Added the links and graphics. Everything included below.)

I was trying to show a fair comparison. Apples to apples, if you will.

I was messaged saying I was misrepresenting how much the increase was actually going to be and the Board of Regents report was showing that after the 12% increase, tuition including mandatory fees was going to only be $10,870 per year [in 2029]. That sounded ... wrong to me. Of course, I tracked down what the sender was talking about. (Fig 3 Below)

Since this will be important later...

NOTE: *A weighted average means the calculation the WICHE takes into account regarding the enrollment size of each college, giving more influence to larger schools rather than treating every institution equally. The numbers presented are not the actual tuition numbers.

I looked at the report, and no, tuition and fees are not going to be $10,870 a year for UNLV/UNR Undergrad in 2029. (I wish they were.)

However, it sent me down another hole so I could figure out where these numbers were coming from.

This is just a look at the cost per credit for university undergrad, assuming a student started during the 2025-2026 semester, planning to graduate in 2028-2029 (so just four years). These were the years that were available with listed projects on the UNLV page and HEPI comparison I pulled them from, so this is the range we're going to look at. (You can also double check the percentage increase with this online calculator.)

The previous semester the tuition (after the 2025 5% increase) was 288.50. In the following four years, tuition increases almost 32%. (Note that the increases are compounded and not stacked, which would have still brought them in around 28.1%.) You can also calculate the percentage increase between $288.50 and $380.10 directly. You still get the same result.

I'm not a math whiz, but I had someone double check my numbers. The rates are available on the NSHE website, or you can go here to see them on UNLV's page. I've copied and pasted below as well (Ref 2).

PART ONE -
Where the board institutes the predictable pricing program.

The board had discussed it, and students were finding it hard to plan for future terms, since they just didn't know what tuition increases were going to be like from year to year. In response, the board created the predictable pricing program.

Instead of the board announcing new percentage numbers every other year, increases were going to be determined by HEPI.

It was literally just adjusted to the current level of tuition inflation, with predictions being posted up to four years out. Easy!

The Compounded Tuition Increases for Undergrad (without Fees) : 2025 5.13% 2026 8.2%, 2027 8%, 2028 8.4% 2029 3.5%

I've posted a screenshot of the report below and you can click Here to read it yourself in the December 4-5 2025 Chancellor's Ad Hoc Committee report to increase fees on page 15. You can also read it HERE in the Sept 11-12 Predictable Pricing Program Briefing Page 14. This was the messaging in 2025. It's also been updated as of January 2026, and the link is below.

As you can see above, we already know the tuition alone after all the 12% increase for undergrads will be $380.50 per credit. $380.50 x 30 credits = $11,415 before fees, which are currently unknown. (Currently fees for both schools are over $1,000 per year.)

The $10,870 is an AVERAGE, compared to other averages, but even then, it's not accurate. If you still care about that number, note that in January 2026, it's increased to $11,350. (Fig 4 Below) However, they're still not a real barometer.

Question about the NSHE Presentation For the 12% Tuition Vote:

1) Why does it matter how we rank, if the reason for the 12% increase is because we need it to cover shortfalls owed to the instructors?
That should be a set, static number, correct? The shortfall number does not change regardless of what other schools charge for tuition and fees.

If you're addressing affordability, it isn't based on how much your competitor is charging. It's based on what the students can afford.

I feel like all this does is cause confusion.

2) Despite my feelings, if you are going to compare yourself to your competition to show how affordable you are, why aren't we comparing actual dollars? Averages and weighted averages aren't one to one comparisons.

Lots of Math incoming.

Other Items to note:

The Chart shows comparisons to other states for FY2026 compared to Nevada 2029 - It Includes

Tuition and Unreduced Mandatory Fees

There are no current year comparisons for NSU or UNLV/UNR on the chart - only after the 12% Addition (and supposedly, fees).

We are not told how they derived these numbers, since there are no projected fees to factor into the 2029 academic year.

We're trying to determine if the cost stated for UNLV & UNR is actually $11,350 after the extra 12% hike in 2029 including fees. NSU is listed at $7905.
The total for all 3 = 30605 The average is /3 =10,201.66
(UNR and UNLV are calculated at 37% of the total each and NSU is 26%)
(Ref. 4)

So, here are some more calculations I did:
(UNLV, UNR 2029 rates after 12% Tuition)
$380.50 x 30 Credits UNR/UNLV 2029 = $11,415 per year before fees.
(Ref. 2 UNLV's Own Rate Listing)

They are both HIGHER with tuition alone than the projection WITH fees. So, NSU must be included in that average.

Let's cost out the compound increases with HEPI for NSU up to 2029
Current NSU = 226 per credit (2026)
(2027) 226 + 8% = 244.08 per credit
(2028) 244.8 + 8.4 = 264.58
3.5% = 2029 (264.58 + 3.5% = $273.84 per credit)

273.84*30= $8215 per year before fees NSU in 2029

$7905 is the projected price after the 12% hike plus fees on the NSHE graph

8215+11403+11403=31,021

However, this total is still BEFORE fees. If we break this out before adding them: 37% (UNR, UNLV) is $11,477.78 - This is already $127.78 over BEFORE FEES

What are the fees going to be? No one knows. UNR Fees jumped from $1,147 (2024) to $1,666 (2025) in just a year's time.
Let's be optimistic and assume the fees will stay the same. So for 2029, the tuition plus (current) fees average is:

NSU $8215 + $765 = $8,980
UNLV $11,403 +1,340 = $12,743
UNR $11,403 + 1,666 = $13,069

$8980 + $12,743 +$13,069 = 34,792

37% of $34,792 : $12,873.04 compared to $11,230 is a difference of $1643
Average for the NSHE Undergrad $34,792 \ 3 =11,597

Breakdown:

Tuition projected for UNLV and UNR "Average" on chart in 2029 (After Fees): $11,350

Actual Tuition for UNLV and UNR in 2029 (Before Fees): $11,415
(They both have the same base tuition, so there is no average. It's more expensive FACTUALLY before adding on "fees" to compare to the chart)
Current Fees: UNLV: $1340, UNR: $1,666

Tuition projected for NSU in 2029 (After Fees): $7905
(There is no average. NSU is the only school listed for this number.)
Actual Tuition for NSU in 2029 (Before Fees): $8215
Current NSU Fees: $765

This is not transparency. This is why people don't trust the board.

I'm sorry to the person who messaged me. You can always hope the fees will be the same in 2029. If so, You're looking at about $12,755. I would plan on more. UNR is clocking in at $13, 801, if their fees don't change. I'm sorry if they got your hopes up.

PART 3: Update on UNLV Fees (920/26)

Reference 3

These graphs are all based on the WICHE report. (Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education) as you can see in the footnote. *There is a note included in the WICHE report stating NSU has been included in averages and weighted numbers. According to both reports, it was moved into the four year in AY 2023-24 (2024 Report Page 44)

The 2024 WICHE report is HERE. PDF Download

The 2025 report is HERE.

Graph Above (Page13 - Fee Increase Proposal, Dec 5, 2025) Graph Created For Board Of Regents Presentation

Graph Below (Page 44 - Fee Increase Proposal, Meeting January 26, 2026) Graph Created For Board Of Regents Presentation

Tuition w/fees 2025 : (NSU) 7,020 + (UNLV) 9,995 + (UNR) 10,321 = 27,336 27,336 /3 = $9112 average tuition

So, why doesn't the number representing Nevada's Average say $9,112? It says $9,912. Is that a typo?

No, it's a weighted average. It comes from this graph:

Reference 5

If you're also wondering if the other numbers might be weighted, great minds... let's look at the numbers.

Reference 4

If you go here, on page 8, you can see it for yourself.
State Average Resident Tuition and Fees at Four-Year Institutions, Weighted, AY 2025-26

If you're thinking to yourself: "Wait, the NSHE Chart didn't say it was weighted." You would be 100% correct.

2025 Report Page 19 Table 4b. Undergraduate Fees by Institution
Confirming the reported numbers are correct.

2025 2024
NSU $765 $675
UNLV $1,340 $1,324
UNR $1,666 $1,147

There is no listing for actual tuition per institution, only averages and weighted numbers.

However, if we subtract the actual Reported Fees from the actual Reported Tuition and Fees, these are the actual yearly tuition numbers for Nevada Undergrad according to WICHE, confirming the reported numbers are correct.

2025
NSU $ 7020-765 = $6255
UNLV $9995-1340= $8655
UNR $10321-1666= $8655

2024
NSU $ 6765-675 = $5790
UNLV $9754-1324 = $8430
UNR $9577-1147 = $8430

Reference 5: UNLV fees per semester Fall 2026

Total $5515.30-4691.25=$824.05 per SEMESTER for fees in 2026

x2 (2 semesters per year) = $1648.10 in Fees

This is a screen shot of one semester's projected cost via the UNLV Tuition Calculator. I was informed I was using the old UNLV fee schedule, and that the new fees are higher.

Tuition plus fees for 2026: $11,030.60

Projected "Average" rate for UNLV/UNR after the 12% Increase for 2029 (After Fees) : $11,350

Yeah, I'm pretty secure in saying this was not an accurate representation.

I fully admit I may have made math mistakes in this entry. Hopefully, they are just by a few dollars. I hope I got the point across. These weird narratives aren't helping anyone, and I honestly can't get my head around why you would use them in the first place.

I'm Lori Lane, and I approve this message. My campaign is entirely funded and run by me.

Higher Education Glossary

Entertainment Glossary

Experiential Glossary

Here's the page about tuition.

Oh, Yeah. It's A Lot.

Reference 1

The total increase from 2025 to 2028 is 31.75%, not just 12%

Before I address this, there's one thing I'd like you to keep in mind. The 12% hike vote was not unanimous. If you just want the bullet points, skip the smaller font.

Reference 2

The Compounded Tuition Increases for Undergrad (without Fees) : 2025 5.13% 2026 8.2%, 2027 8%, 2028 8.4% 2029 3.5%

Reference 3

The 2025 report is HERE.

Graph Above (Page13 - Fee Increase Proposal, Dec 5, 2025) Graph Created For Board Of Regents Presentation

Graph Below (Page 44 - Fee Increase Proposal, Meeting January 26, 2026) Graph Created For Board Of Regents Presentation

Tuition w/fees 2025 : (NSU) 7,020 + (UNLV) 9,995 + (UNR) 10,321 = 27,336 27,336 /3 = $9112 average tuition So, why doesn't the number representing Nevada's Average say $9,112? It says $9,912. Is that a typo? No, it's a weighted average. It comes from this graph:

Reference 5

If you're also wondering if the other numbers might be weighted, great minds... let's look at the numbers.

Reference 4

If you go here, on page 8, you can see it for yourself. State Average Resident Tuition and Fees at Four-Year Institutions, Weighted, AY 2025-26 If you're thinking to yourself: "Wait, the NSHE Chart didn't say it was weighted." You would be 100% correct.

Reference 5: UNLV fees per semester Fall 2026

Total $5515.30-4691.25=$824.05 per SEMESTER for fees in 2026 x2 (2 semesters per year) = $1648.10 in Fees

I fully admit I may have made math mistakes in this entry. Hopefully, they are just by a few dollars. I hope I got the point across. These weird narratives aren't helping anyone, and I honestly can't get my head around why you would use them in the first place.

Before I address this, there's one thing I'd like you to keep in mind.

The 12% hike vote was not unanimous. If you just want the bullet points, skip the smaller font.

Tuition w/fees 2025 : (NSU) 7,020 + (UNLV) 9,995 + (UNR) 10,321 = 27,336 27,336 /3 = $9112 average tuition

So, why doesn't the number representing Nevada's Average say $9,112? It says $9,912. Is that a typo?

No, it's a weighted average. It comes from this graph:

If you go here, on page 8, you can see it for yourself.
State Average Resident Tuition and Fees at Four-Year Institutions, Weighted, AY 2025-26

If you're thinking to yourself: "Wait, the NSHE Chart didn't say it was weighted." You would be 100% correct.

Total $5515.30-4691.25=$824.05 per SEMESTER for fees in 2026

x2 (2 semesters per year) = $1648.10 in Fees