UMass Approves Undergraduate Tuition Hike

The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees voted Wednesday to raise the cost of attending the school system by up to 5 percent for in-state undergraduates, the first increase in three years.

Students would pay an additional $552 to $580 in combined tuition and an increased mandatory fee, depending on which of the system's five campuses they attend.

University officials said they had no choice, given the level of funding the system is expected to receive for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

UMass officials had requested $578 million, saying it would let them freeze tuition again.

State lawmakers have approved increases that fall short of that goal as Massachusetts struggles to close a $1.8 billion budget gap.

UMass President Robert Caret said he hopes to limit the hike depending on the final budget.