UH Hilo Community Weighs In on Proposed Tuition Schedule

As UH Hilo weighs its first tuition increase in years, a public hearing on October 14 drew students, faculty, staff, and community members to discuss the University of Hawaiʻi’s proposed four-year tuition schedule. Administrators walked through the economic pressures behind the plan, and attendees shared what they want to see prioritized on campus.

The UH Hilo Tuition Proposal

Under the proposal, UH Hilo undergraduate tuition will remain frozen for two academic years (2027–28 and 2028–29). Beginning in 2029–30, tuition for both resident and nonresident undergraduates would increase by 3% annually—bringing resident tuition to $7,872 in 2029–30 and $8,112 in 2030–31. Meanwhile, UH Hilo’s Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, operating as a self-supporting program, would implement a 5% annual increase starting in 2027–28 without the two-year freeze. Tuition for UH Hilo’s other graduate programs would remain unchanged under the proposal.

Institution	AY 2027-28	AY 2028-29	AY 2029-30	AY 2030-31
UH Mānoa	No change	No change	+5% all rates	+5% all rates
UH Hilo Undergraduate, Graduate	No change	No change	+3% Undergraduate	+3% Undergraduate
UH Hilo DKICP	+5% Pharmacy	+5% Pharmacy	+5% Pharmacy	+5% Pharmacy
UH West Oʻahu	No change	No change	+3% Undergraduate	+3% Undergraduate
UH Community Colleges (UHCC)	No change	No change	+3% Lower Division	+3% Lower Division

Administrative Rationale

University officials cited rising operating costs and inflation as key drivers of the increase, noting that tuition rates remained flat from 2021 to 2025. Administrators noted that nearly 60% of degree-seeking undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, and incremental adjustments help ensure their continued access to a quality education and student support services.

Kim Siegenthaler, interim vice president for academic strategy.

“We continue to work very hard to make a UH education as affordable as possible,” said Kim Siegenthaler, interim vice president for academic strategy. “We recognize nobody wants to see tuition go up, but the fact is operating costs do go up, and somehow we have to close the gap.”

For UH Hilo, the 3% increase is projected to generate approximately $600,000 in annual revenue. Chancellor Bonnie Irwin noted these funds would be directed toward student retention programs, particularly initiatives that “help the most vulnerable students prepare for and stay in college.”

Kim Siegenthaler, interim vice president for academic strategy.

“$600,000 doesn't go too far, but it is incredibly helpful in terms of building up and sustaining the support structures that have proved to be very successful for students,” said Irwin, noting that students utilizing peer mentoring support “do much better in the long run.”

Student Voices

Student reactions balanced appreciation for academic support with concerns over housing and affordability. Quin Seifert, a senior majoring in marine science, commended the administration’s transparency and investment in academic mentoring.

“Thank you for recognizing that affordable tuition at UH Hilo is one of the reasons why people enroll here,” Seifert said.

“I also really appreciate the discussion of support for peer tutoring, because as someone who works as a Kilohana peer tutor and an embedded tutor — I can tell you from personal experience that these programs directly impact people’s ability to remain at the university and excel academically. It is encouraging to see that the administration values the work that we’re doing,” said Seifert.

At the same time, Seifert raised concerns about skyrocketing off-campus housing costs and pushed leadership to develop solutions to address much-needed dorm improvements.

Other students worried that tuition hikes could lower enrollment, particularly for local and Native Hawaiian students drawn to UH Hilo’s Hawaiian studies programs.

Looking Ahead

Public hearings are being held across all UH campuses throughout October 2026. After collecting statewide feedback, UH expects to formally submit a finalized four-year tuition schedule to the UH Board of Regents for consideration at its November 19, 2026 meeting.