As Hoosier high school seniors walk across the stage this month, Gov. Mike Braun is encouraging graduates in the Class of 2026 who plan to attend college to consider staying in Indiana.
At Braun’s urging, all 15 of Indiana’s public colleges and universities, including both main and regional campuses, have frozen in-state tuition and mandatory fees.
“Congratulations to every Hoosier student walking across the graduation stage this spring. Whether you’re heading to college, starting your career, or serving our nation in the military, we are proud of you. For Hoosiers headed to college, a four-year degree in Indiana is an incredible value: our public universities have now frozen tuition for a second year,” Braun said in a public statement.
The tuition freeze
The tuition freeze comes as families continue to face affordability challenges nationwide. The institutions participating in the tuition freeze have committed to refrain from any increase in tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate students for both the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years.
It is the first time in recent history that every public institution in the state has simultaneously held current tuition rates for Hoosier students.
“A month ago, we challenged our state’s public higher education institutions to find efficiencies, eliminate redundancies and identify ways to streamline services without compromising quality,” Braun said in a statement. “The commitment made by all of Indiana’s public colleges and universities puts students and parents first and demonstrates to the rest of the country that Indiana is a leader in providing a high-quality education at an affordable price.”
Pursuant to Indiana Code 21-14-2-12.5, during each biennium (two years), the Commission for Higher Education must make tuition and mandatory fee recommendations for Indiana’s public institutions within 30 days of the enactment of the state budget. The commission unanimously voted in support of Braun’s recommendation to hold tuition and mandatory fees flat for Indiana students.
“Keeping tuition flat keeps the door open for students of all backgrounds, all ZIP codes, and all walks of life,” Samantha Fleischaker, the commission’s student member and a student at the University of Southern Indiana, said. “It sends the message that education is not just for one demographic — it’s for all people. It’s not just a number. It’s the difference between opportunity and what feels impossible.”
For more information, visit in.gov/che/ or click here for information about the institutions participating in the tuition freeze.
Contact Staff Writer Malik Simon at 317-762-7847.
Malik Simon is a Staff Writer for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Memphis, TN, he graduated from Mississippi Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies concentrating on journalism. Before joining the Recorder, he wrote for the Devil’s Gazette newspaper at MVSU and served as a freelance content and video editor. He seeks to use media to help communities flourish through literacy and factual reporting.
