Virginia weighs fixed tuition bills to curb rising college costs for students
Virginia lawmakers are reviewing proposals to change how in-state tuition is set at public colleges in the United States. Two bills aim to adjust eligibility and stabilise costs for students. The moves come as tuition fees continue to climb across the state. Attorney General Jay Jones is currently defending the existing tuition law in federal court. The debate highlights ongoing concerns over affordability and fairness in higher education funding.
House Bill 502 would lock in tuition rates for incoming first-year students. Their in-state fees would stay the same for four academic years. Transfer students would also keep their initial rate if they remain continuously enrolled.
The measure includes limited exceptions, such as for students facing major disruptions or those in degree programs lasting longer than four years. Another proposal, House Bill 287, seeks to extend in-state tuition eligibility to non-Virginia students who belong to federally recognised Virginia tribes.
Meanwhile, tuition costs keep rising. The average total charge for in-state undergraduates, including room and board, now stands at £28,640—a 3.4% increase from last year. This academic year alone, students face an extra £243 in fees.
Currently, students cover about 42% of their education costs, with the state funding the remaining 58%. The new bills could shift how these costs are managed and who qualifies for lower rates.
If passed, the legislation would bring fixed tuition rates for many students and expand eligibility for tribal members. The changes could ease financial planning for families while addressing long-term affordability concerns. The outcome will depend on further debate and legal challenges to the current system.
