Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has frozen undergraduate tuition prices at all public colleges and universities for the third consecutive year.
In a letter issued May 27, Abbott said affordable higher education is necessary to meet the state’s workforce needs and ordered it to be put on hold through the 2026–27 academic year.
“Texas must continue to lead the nation in creating affordable pathways to higher education while maintaining the high academic standards that strengthen our institutions,” Abbott wrote.
This is the third year since 2023 that the governor has ordered the freeze, which affects all tuition and fees at every public two-year and four-year institution, including general education and health-related institutions.
According to US News, Texas ranks 11th among states for low tuition and fees. Florida is number 1.
Abbott’s letter also pointed to recent investments in higher education from the state. In 2023, Texas invested more than $680 million to improve community college funding and expand degree pathways for students.
In the 2025 budget cycle, the state increased student financial aid funding by $328 million to expand access to state financial aid programs for eligible students at institutions across Texas.
Abbott’s letter concluded, “I look forward to working with the Legislature in the next session to extend this moratorium into future academic school years and partnering with institutions to identify additional opportunities to make higher education options more affordable, maintain high academic standards, and best position Texas students for future success.”