Weber State to freeze tuition and fees for associate degrees
OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University is pausing tuition and fees increases in the 2025–26 academic year for students with less than 60 credit hours.
At WSU, 49% of full-time resident students have fewer than 60 credit hours — the number required to earn an associate degree. First-year and sophomore students who attend WSU in the fall and spring semesters will save $135 per year.
“That’s a modest start to what we hope will be even greater savings in the future,” said WSU President Brad Mortensen. “We know that every dollar matters for our students, so we’re hoping this pilot program can serve as a model for the state to follow and eventually get students saving closer to $1,000 per year.”
Mortensen noted several studies from Texas and Michigan that saw significant enrollment growth when associate degree costs were cut by $1,000. He also highlighted a Utah-focused Cicero study reiterating that cost is a common barrier to pursuing and completing higher education.
Weber State’s partial tuition freeze comes as a result of its dual mission, which sees the university serving two distinct student populations: those pursuing two-year degrees and those pursuing four-year degrees.
Mortensen said tuition rates for the two populations should also be distinct in order to help remove cost barriers for those in their first two years of college.
“Getting an associate degree should be just as affordable at four-year colleges as it is at community colleges,” Mortensen said. Utah Valley University and Utah Tech University are also dual-mission institutions.
Mortensen said he believes the coming school year will prove the benefits of implementing similar tuition rates across Utah’s higher education institutions.
Bryan Magaña, public relations director
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