Emporia State University Enters Third Consecutive Year Without Tuition Increase

ESU Continues Commitment to Students as the Only Kansas Institution to Maintain 2026-2027 Tuition Rates

Emporia, KS (05/20/2026) — Today, Emporia State leaders told the Kansas Board of Regents the university wants to hold its tuition for 2026-27 at its current rate for a third consecutive academic year. The university stands as the only public institution in the state to propose maintaining current tuition levels for the upcoming academic year.

By prioritizing efficiency and internal reallocations for needed programs, Emporia State has maintained flat tuition since the 2023-24 academic year, remaining Kansas' premier cost-effective institution.

"We are able to keep costs flat for students thanks to a landmark year of financial success and increased enrollment," said Matt Baker, president of ESU. "We pride ourselves on transforming higher education by delivering affordable, student-centered, hands-on experiences that equip Hornets for lifelong success, and our proposal is a testament to that commitment."

ESU will continue to prioritize generating revenue through increased enrollment to support funding for operations, institutional enhancements and investments in academic programs and student experiences.

Approval of tuition rates for 2026-27 will be an action item during the Kansas Board of Regents meeting in June.

This financial win for students represents one of several recent significant milestones for ESU. It follows a period of rapid growth in 2026, during which ESU saw a 6% increase in enrollment, the largest percentage jump among KBOR state institutions. Additionally, this announcement follows ESU's recent $30 million financial realignment, a move that successfully erased a $19 million budget deficit.