BLINN BOARD VOTES TO MAINTAIN TUITION & GENERAL FEE RATES, INCREASE AUXILIARY FEES
The Blinn Board of Trustees voted today (Tuesday) to keep Blinn’s existing tuition and general fee rates in place for the 2026-27 school year.
meeting showing Blinn College's breakdown of
revenue (far left) split between state appropriations,
property taxes, and tuition and fees in comparison
to other Texas community colleges.
This is the second consecutive year that the board has not changed the College’s mandatory tuition and general fee rates, which Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance Dr. Clen Burton said is due to the state’s freeze on those.
Dr. Burton said Blinn’s percentage of revenue that comes from tuition and fees exceeds all other community colleges in Texas. He added that the College currently is being penalized with less state funding by not having a high enough property tax rate.
meeting showing Blinn College's tuition and general
fee history dating back to 2022.
In-district tuition will remain at $64 per semester credit hour for students living in Washington County, which makes up Blinn’s taxing district. Out-of-district Texas residents will continue to pay $123 per credit hour, while out-of-state students will pay $279 per credit hour. The general fee is also holding steady at $80 per credit hour.
Trustees did approve adjustments to auxiliary services, as well as select course, lab and auxiliary fee adjustments meant to offset program costs.
Housing rates will increase by an average of 1 percent, which Dr. Burton said should generate an additional $238,359 in annual revenue. Additionally, the board agreed to implement a housing cleaning fee for once-a-semester bathroom cleanings, coming to $35 per cleaning per bathroom; the cost will be split among the students who share the bathroom. The cleaning fees will bring in an estimated $55,406 in new revenue each year. Food plans will see a 1 percent average increase, leading to an anticipated $300,730 in extra revenue annually.
Board Secretary Rebecca Ehlert and Trustee Diane Kettler both said the cleaning fees should help with building maintenance. Board Vice Chair Rev. Randy Wells said he wants to remain sensitive to affordability for students and asked for the College to make sure it is educating the community so that all available financial resources are utilized.