UConn’s 2025-2026 Financial Breakdown: 7 Crucial Cost Factors You Must Know Now

Planning for the 2025-2026 academic year at the University of Connecticut (UConn) requires a detailed understanding of the financial landscape, which has seen critical updates in the last year. As of late 2025, prospective and current students can benefit from a major institutional decision: the undergraduate tuition rate has been held flat, meaning the cost per credit hour remains unchanged from the previous year. This tuition freeze is a significant factor in college affordability, yet it is crucial to understand that the total financial commitment—the Cost of Attendance (COA)—is still subject to increases in mandatory university and student fees, as well as housing and dining costs. The most current data confirms that while the core tuition is stable, other direct costs are rising, making a full breakdown essential for accurate budgeting.

The latest figures released by the Bursar's Office and Financial Aid department for the 2025-2026 academic year provide a transparent look at the investment required to attend the flagship Storrs campus. The following analysis breaks down the total financial picture, from the core tuition and mandatory fees to specialized rates for regional students, ensuring you have the most up-to-date information for your financial planning and scholarship applications.

The Direct Costs of Attendance: Storrs Campus 2025-2026

The total Cost of Attendance (COA) at UConn is comprised of two main categories: Direct Costs (billed directly by the university) and Indirect Costs (estimated expenses not paid to the university, such as books and personal expenses). The direct costs for a full-time undergraduate student at the Storrs campus for the 2025-2026 academic year are the most critical figures for budgeting.

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1. Undergraduate Tuition Rate (Flat Rate)

In a major win for affordability, the University of Connecticut has maintained a flat undergraduate tuition rate for the 2025-2026 academic year, continuing the rate from the previous year.

• In-State (Connecticut Resident) Tuition: $17,010 per year
• Out-of-State (Non-Resident) Tuition: $39,678 per year

This tuition rate applies to full-time undergraduate students (12 or more credits per semester). It is a critical component of the total billed amount, but it is not the final figure.

2. Mandatory University and Student Fees

While tuition is frozen, mandatory fees have seen an increase. These fees cover a wide array of student services, including technology, athletics, infrastructure, and health services. For the 2025-2026 year, the total mandatory University and Student Fees are $4,326 for all full-time undergraduate students, regardless of residency status.

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Key components of this fee total include:

• General University Fee
• Infrastructure Maintenance Fee
• Student Health & Wellness Fee
• Activity and Transportation Fees (which fund the UConn WRTD bus pass program and student organizations)

The mandatory fees component is essential to track, as it represents a non-negotiable part of the direct cost that continues to rise even when tuition is held flat. For non-resident students, the total mandatory fees are the same as for in-state students.

3. On-Campus Housing and Dining Costs

For students living on campus, housing and meal plans represent the largest non-tuition direct cost. These costs are subject to annual adjustments based on operational expenses and facility upgrades.

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• On-Campus Housing (Standard Rate): $8,066 per year
• On-Campus Meal Plan (Standard Rate): $6,710 per year

The combination of tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and dining brings the estimated total direct costs for a full-time, on-campus student at the Storrs campus to approximately:

• In-State Direct Cost Total: ~$36,112
• Out-of-State Direct Cost Total: ~$58,780

Affordability Programs and Specialized Rates

The sticker price of tuition is often not the amount a student actually pays. UConn offers several programs and specialized rates that significantly reduce the financial burden for qualified applicants, particularly those from the New England region.

4. The New England Regional Student Program (NERSP)

The NERSP, often referred to as the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) Regional Student Program, offers a substantial reduction in the out-of-state tuition rate for students from other New England states (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) who enroll in specific degree programs not offered by their home state’s public universities.

• NERSP Tuition Rate: Qualified students pay 175% of the UConn in-state tuition cost.
• Estimated NERSP Tuition (2025-2026): Approximately $30,408 for tuition alone, plus mandatory fees.

This program significantly lowers the financial barrier for students from neighboring states, making UConn a much more competitive option compared to the full out-of-state rate.

5. Financial Aid and Merit-Based Scholarships

UConn is committed to making its education accessible. All incoming students are automatically considered for merit scholarships upon application for admission; there is no separate application required for these awards.

• Need-Based Aid: To be considered for federal and institutional need-based financial aid, students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Institutional Aid Application (IAA) for undocumented students.
• On-Time Deadline: Meeting UConn’s on-time financial aid application deadline for the 2025-2026 year is crucial for maximizing eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs.

The actual net price after grants and scholarships is the most accurate measure of a student's out-of-pocket expense.

Regional Campuses and Specialized Programs

The cost structure varies significantly for students attending UConn's regional campuses (Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford, and Waterbury) or specialized graduate programs like the Law School.

6. Regional Campus Tuition (Lower Costs)

Undergraduate students who attend a regional campus often benefit from a lower total cost of attendance, primarily due to lower mandatory fees and the assumption that most students commute, thus eliminating on-campus housing and meal plan costs. For example, the estimated 2026 tuition and fees for the UConn Stamford campus are lower than the Storrs campus.

This makes the regional campuses a financially strategic option for Connecticut residents looking for a world-class UConn degree at a reduced price point.

7. Law School and Graduate Program Tuition

Specialized graduate programs, such as the UConn School of Law, operate on a different fee schedule. For instance, the total tuition and fees for the Law School are approximately $33,070 per year, not including books and personal expenses. Prospective graduate students should always consult the specific program's Bursar page for the most accurate and unique cost structure, as these rates are distinct from undergraduate figures.

In summary, while the stability of the core undergraduate tuition rate for 2025-2026 offers a predictable foundation for financial planning, the overall investment in a UConn education is increasing due to mandatory fees and auxiliary costs. Leveraging programs like NERSP and diligently applying for all available financial aid remain the most effective strategies for managing the total cost of attending the University of Connecticut.