Board Seeks State Funding for Tuition Freeze

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Building on the momentum of its first systemwide enrollment increase in more than a decade, the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) today highlighted innovative university strategies that are helping students succeed and driving record retention.

PASSHE’s Fall 2025 retention rate is 81%, a record since system data began in 2004. Retention is the percentage of students who return for their second year. Five universities — Cheyney University, Commonwealth University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown University and Slippery Rock University — achieved retention rate milestones this year. Total enrollment across PASSHE’s 10 universities increased 0.6% this fall.

“Improving retention has been a top priority for PASSHE universities as they help students stay in college, earn a degree, and enter a rewarding career,” said Dr. Cynthia Shapira, chair of the Board of Governors. “These results show that the state’s investment in our students and the innovative strategies of the universities are delivering results. I commend each of our universities for making student support a priority."

Completing a college degree has strong economic rewards for students. PASSHE graduates earn 65% more over their lifetime than high school graduates in Pennsylvania, nearly $1 million in additional income.

“PASSHE universities are committed to innovation and flexibility,” said Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino. “The universities identify students before they struggle and reach out with proactive support. That helps students succeed, focus on learning and stay on track to graduate. These strategies need investment and planning, but they’re life-changing for students. It’s another example of the power and promise of PASSHE universities and our vital role in strengthening Pennsylvania’s workforce and economy.”

Personalized Support Strategies Drive Student Success
During the board meeting, representatives from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), Kutztown University and Slippery Rock University shared their approaches that contributed to the retention gains.

IUP achieved record-breaking retention—an increase of nearly 3 percentage points to 78.2%. Strategic Advisor to the President for Student Success Paula Stossel and Vice Provost for Academic Success and Dean of the University College Amber Racchini credited a holistic approach shaped by national best practices to ensure every student, at every level, receives individual attention. Each student has a navigator—staff offering personalized support. Navigators are coupled with a year-round Academic Advising Center and real-time predictive analytics to enhance proactive, customized support.

“Record-breaking retention is the result of the Student Success Team’s efforts and a sincere, university-wide commitment to student-centeredness,” said IUP President Michael Driscoll. “IUP collaborates to give every student the guidance and support they need, when they need it.”

Kutztown’s improved retention rate is due to an intentional focus on student success, Provost and Senior Vice President Dr. Lorin Basden Arnold told the board. The university has implemented an early alert platform for student outreach, assigned student success navigators to every incoming student, developed half-semester courses to fulfill general education requirements, and provides programs for students to recover their financial aid status in the summer between their first and second year.

“Retention is a campuswide commitment to ensure our students have the opportunities and resources to succeed,” said Kutztown University President Philip Cavalier. “These initiatives demonstrate the student-centered approach of our campus, while providing affordable, high-quality undergraduate, graduate and lifelong learning opportunities.”

At Slippery Rock University, improving student retention is a cornerstone of the new strategic plan, according to Michael May, Vice President for Enrollment Management. Over the past two years, retention has increased by 4.8%, reaching a record-high 86.4% and setting new university benchmarks annually. The university is investing in student success by expanding the number of student success coaches, streamlining support services, and monitoring student progress to ensure timely interventions.

“This transformative growth reflects our culture and commitment to student success from faculty and staff,” said Slippery Rock University President Karen Riley. “We are enhancing the student experience through academic excellence and innovation, so students receive a high-quality education and personalized support to help them thrive.”

Chancellor Updates Board on Strategic Priorities
In other action, Chancellor Fiorentino updated the board on short-term priorities, which he is discussing during visits to system campuses this fall. Originally presented to the board in July, the priorities include strengthening academic programs and expanding the sharing of courses and programs.

PASSHE is in the early stages of developing a course-sharing initiative that will allow students to enroll in classes offered by other PASSHE universities while remaining on their home campus. These courses may be delivered online or taught simultaneously across multiple campuses by a single professor. A pilot program for cross-campus course registration was recently conducted at Commonwealth and PennWest universities, with broader expansion planned for the spring semester.

The Chancellor also briefed the board on a new effort to support Pennsylvania’s workforce by reconnecting with former PASSHE students who did not complete their degrees. As employers continue to face hiring challenges and the number of high school graduates begins to decline next year, it is increasingly important to help working adults gain new skills and credentials. PASSHE is well-positioned to educate these adults and contribute to the vitality of communities across the Commonwealth.

PASSHE Seeks Investment for Tuition Freeze
The Board also unanimously approved a request for a 5% increase in its 2026-27 state appropriation to enable a freeze on undergraduate in-state tuition, reinforcing its commitment to affordability and student success.

Each fall, PASSHE and other state-funded entities must submit annual appropriation requests to the commonwealth. With the 2025-26 state budget unresolved, the Board’s request is based on the 2024-25 enacted appropriation.

The board maintained a tuition freeze for seven consecutive years, from Fall 2018 through Spring 2025. In July, with the state budget uncertain, the board approved a modest tuition increase for the current academic year with the intention of rolling back the rate if the commonwealth provides sufficient funding.

PASSHE universities remain the most affordable four-year option in Pennsylvania. Full-year tuition is $7,994, which is 75% lower than the average university tuition in Pennsylvania.

With more than 83,000 students, 89% of whom are Pennsylvania residents, PASSHE universities serve more in-state students than all other four-year colleges or universities in the commonwealth.

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About PASSHE
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is the public university system of the commonwealth with a mission to provide a high-quality education at the lowest possible cost to students. The State System annually confers more than 20,000 degrees and has more than 800,000 living alumni, most of whom live in Pennsylvania. The State System universities are Cheyney, Commonwealth (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield), East Stroudsburg, Indiana, Kutztown, Millersville, PennWest (California, Clarion and Edinboro), Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester universities of Pennsylvania.