Wyoming Community College Commission approves tuition increase beginning fall 2026

SHERIDAN (WNE) — The Wyoming Community College Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to increase tuition by $7 per credit hour, raising the current rate from $105 to $112 beginning in fall 2026. 

The Commission has been evaluating the possibility of a tuition adjustment for several months in response to a combination of stepped budget reductions in prior years, rising inflation, and recent declines in local revenue. Commissioners intentionally delayed a decision until after the conclusion of the 2026 legislative session in order to consider any new state support and property tax reductions alongside the financial realities facing Wyoming’s community colleges.

 The Commission expressed appreciation for the community college funding investments included in the state’s 2027–28 biennium budget.

 “We are grateful the Legislature recognizes the essential role community colleges play in preparing and strengthening Wyoming’s workforce,” said Chairman Gregg Blikre. “The additional financial support for our colleges and their employees during this legislative session was both necessary and deeply appreciated.”

 Commissioners deliberated for nearly two hours about the delicate balance between the constitutional mandate to keep higher education as affordable as possible and the critical need to maintain high-quality programs that meet the state’s evolving educational demands. They recognize that community colleges are not solely state-funded, but also receive funding from local property taxes and tuition and fees. With recent reductions in local property tax revenues, Commissioners ultimately decided that increasing tuition rates was a necessary action.

During the meeting, commissioners also discussed the possibility of an additional tuition increase if the People’s Initiative to Limit Property Tax in Wyoming through a Homeowner’s Property Exemption is approved in the 2026 general election. Based on existing property tax reductions, colleges are experiencing an approximate $9 million annual reduction in local revenue. The proposed ballot measure is estimated to reduce local revenue by an additional $5 million.