In the past few years, President Peter Likins has wanted to raise UA's tuition to about 34th in the country.
This year he may finally meet that goal.
Likins said he will request a tuition increase of $500 next year, which will be added on to last year's record-setting $1,000 tuition hike.
The increase would bring full-time resident undergraduate tuition to about $4,090, the same as the University of Kansas, which charges the 34th highest tuition among the top 50 senior public universities this year.
The UA could drop in the rankings next year if other universities raise their tuition this year. Even if the UA reaches the top of the bottom one-third percentile this year, or about the 34th spot, students could still face another tuition hike next year in order to stay in that position.
"Five hundred dollars is the amount that would take us to the top of the bottom one-third in the present year," Likins said.
The money the increase could generate would most likely contribute to the areas tuition has
supplemented in the past, said Dick Roberts, the budget director.
Usually the focus is on class size and availability, academic advising, financial aid and faculty retention, Roberts said.
"Thematics remain constant, but priorities change," Roberts said.
In addition, because of a mandate from the Arizona Board of Regents, 14 percent of the increase will go toward financial aid.
Specific uses for the increase have not been identified because Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano will make her recommendation to the state legislators this week, and in turn, the Legislature will create a budget this spring for the following year.
"We use tuition to backfill holes in legislative funding," Roberts said.
Likins said he would request $500 because he believes it is important to reach the top of the bottom one-third as soon as possible.
"One of the real advantages of getting there is that it ends the debate," Likins said. "I don't want to have this conversation next year."
Arizona's other two state university presidents, John Haeger at Northern Arizona University and Michael Crow at Arizona State University, have yet to decide what their proposals will be, but this may be the first year that all three universities do not charge the same tuition.
"There is a likelihood the tuitions could be different," UA Regent Fred Boice said. He cautioned that no decisions would be made until all information could be weighed.
Crow is waiting to announce his request because ASU student government officials are investigating charging fees to improve the student union and recreation center.
Ultimately, the students would pay the same price for their education in Tucson and Phoenix, but the breakdown of fees and tuition would vary, Likins said.
"Haeger is more sensitive to the impact of tuition on enrollment," Likins said.
NAU faced a budget crisis this year after enrollment went down following the $1,000 tuition increase. Enrollment at the UA reached a record level this year with more than 37,000 students.
J.P. Benedict, student body president, said the Arizona Students' Association will come up with a tuition proposal after a meeting with Likins next week. He said it is not likely that they will request as much as $500.
"We're looking to lessen that amount," Benedict said.
He said he understands the tuition goals, but the increases have been hard on students.
"The goal is good to get there, but in a reasonable fashion," Benedict said. "Students just took at $1,000 tuition hike last year. With another increase now, it's a lot of money for a short period of time."
Kimberly Gibson, sociology and theater arts senior, said she would support the increase if it helps students.
"It's not so bad if you can look around and see the benefits," Gibson said.
Others said they would not support another tuition hike.
"Since I'm out of state, I already pay a lot more," said Mason Liebich, a biochemistry freshman.
He said he would consider transferring from the UA if the increase became too much for him to handle.
"I'm already having second thoughts. I'm getting by on the skin of my teeth. I'd have to go to my parents and beg," Liebich said.
Because of the financial aid mandate, Likins said financial aid will increase with tuition.
Regent Gary Stuart said it is important for the state universities to achieve their goals.
"In my view, we should establish a baseline at the top of the bottom one-third as soon as possible," Stuart said. "The key from my perspective is financial aid."
Because the tuition may vary from school to school, the financial aid offered at each school will also differ.
"The three universities provide different financial aid. Fourteen percent has to be set (for financial aid), but in addition, each university provides supplemental aid, and the state provides a very small amount of financial aid," Stuart said.
The UA set aside 40 percent of last year's tuition hike.
Boice said he also sees a need to investigate how the tuition increase would impact financial aid.
"My concern is people's ability to pay," Boice said. "We want to make the universities available to as many students as possible."
The presidents will formally announce their tuition proposals Feb. 2. And on Feb. 25, the regents will hold a televised statewide tuition hearing for feedback from campus communities before they make a decision at their meeting March 11 and 12.