Under the decision approved by the University of Alabama System Board of Regents' Finance Committee, tuition for out-of-state undergraduates will increase by 3 percent at UA and UAB and 4 percent at UAH. Tuition for in-state undergraduates at each school will increase by 2.5 percent.

Similarly, the Auburn University Board of Trustees voted to increase tuition at Auburn University and Auburn University Montgomery by 3 percent, a change that was approved by voters last August and will take effect this fall.

Troy University and Jacksonville State University are also raising tuition fees per credit hour.

Last year, tuition for out-of-state students increased, but tuition for in-state students remained the same. This year, in-state students will see a total increase of less than $200. Out-of-state students will see an increase of approximately $500.

Board members approved the increase to maintain “academic excellence.”

“Each year we carefully and seriously review university tuition rates, and each proposed change is necessary to promote academic excellence across the system, ensure financial stability and manage growing costs,” said Dana Keith, UA System vice chancellor for finance and administration.

In-state undergraduate students at Auburn University will see their annual tuition increase by roughly $350, while out-of-state students will see an increase of nearly $1,000. In-state undergraduate students at AUM will see their annual tuition increase by roughly $370, while out-of-state students will see an increase of more than $700.

Michael Browner is a senior sports analyst and contributor to Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. translation: Listen to him weekdays from 6am to 9am. WNSP-FM 105.5's “Opening Kickoff” Available online for free.