Both Public and Private Universities Join Tuition Fee Hikes... Will It Spread Nationwide?

4% Tuition Increase at Jinju, Cheongju, and Chuncheon Education Universities
Dong-A University Also Decides on 3.9% Increase After 13 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Following education universities such as Jinju National University of Education, Cheongju National University of Education, and Chuncheon National University of Education, which are experiencing financial difficulties, Dong-A University has also decided to raise tuition fees for the first time among private universities, drawing attention to the potential impact on other universities.

On the 23rd, students are walking through the green campus of Yonsei University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted that the weather would be mostly clear nationwide, with the highest apparent temperature rising above 31 degrees Celsius, indicating summer-like weather. Fine dust levels are expected to be 'moderate' in most regions across the country. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

According to the minutes of the Tuition Review Committee (Deungsimwi) meetings published on the websites of various universities on the 31st, three out of ten national education universities nationwide have decided to raise undergraduate tuition fees this year. Jinju National University of Education increased by 4.04%, and Cheongju and Chuncheon National Universities of Education by 4.02%. It is also reported that Busan National University of Education, which held its Deungsimwi meeting on the same day, is likely to adopt a tuition increase plan in the 4% range.

Following the education universities, signs of tuition increases are emerging in private universities as well. Dong-A University has become the first private university to decide on a 3.95% tuition increase. This is the first time in 13 years that Dong-A University has raised tuition. Dong-A University reportedly faced a financial deficit of about 2.25 billion KRW last year, and if tuition fees remain frozen this year, a deficit exceeding 10 billion KRW is expected by 2030, making the increase unavoidable.

Despite the disadvantage that government support is cut off when tuition fees are raised, some universities are reluctantly increasing tuition due to severe financial difficulties. When tuition is raised, the Type 2 national scholarship for low-income students is completely cut, which is why most universities nationwide have kept tuition frozen for over ten years. This year as well, most national universities decided early on to freeze tuition, and private universities are also showing a trend of maintaining tuition freezes.

However, the tuition increase decisions by education universities and Dong-A University may influence other universities as well. Starting with education universities that receive government support for faculty salaries and operating expenses, private universities have also begun raising tuition, which analysts interpret as a sign that university operations are nearing their limits.

According to the Korea Council for University Education (Daekyo-hyeop), as of October last year, the average tuition for four-year general universities (excluding education and cyber universities) was 6,794,000 KRW per student. Compared to 2008, just before the government introduced tuition regulations, this was 1.0% higher, but considering consumer price inflation, the real tuition in 2022 was 6,326,000 KRW, which is 23.2% lower than in 2008.

Under the Higher Education Act, tuition can be raised within 1.5 times the average inflation rate of the previous three years, and even compared to this upper limit tuition (9,319,000 KRW), the current tuition is 27.1% lower. Although prices and education costs are rising, university tuition has not only stagnated but declined in real terms, causing various operational difficulties for universities.

However, the Ministry of Education, which oversees university operations, maintains a cautious stance on allowing tuition increases, citing the burden on students and parents. Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, stated at a press conference regarding the relaxation of university tuition regulations, “This is not the stage to discuss it now,” and emphasized, “Considering the difficult economic situation, careful discussion is necessary.”