ACC Freezes Tuition Again, 13 Years Running Board vote keeps costs steady for 2026–27

AUSTIN, Texas (April 9, 2026) — In a historic move, the Austin Community College District (ACC) Board of Trustees voted to freeze tuition.

     With Board approval, the College’s 13-year tuition freeze stands as a rare national benchmark—representing one of the nation’s longest-running efforts to keep higher education affordable. The decision places ACC at the forefront of a select group of institutions nationwide that have held the line on costs for more than a decade.

ACC Among the Most Affordable in Texas

   With the freeze, tuition remains at $67 per credit hour. With fees, that means in-district students will pay $85 per credit hour for the 2026/27 academic year. Out-of-district students will pay $201 per credit hour fee.

    ACC students who live in-district continue to pay among the lowest rates in the state compared with other area institutions. According to the Education Data Initiative:

•Public 2-year institutions or community colleges, in-district tuition and fees average $3,598 annually, 41% higher than the yearly cost of ACC.

•From 2012-13 to 2022-23, the average tuition increased 16.9% at 2-year colleges (before adjusting for inflation).

•During the same period, there was a 28.9% average increase in in-district tuition at public 2-year institutions or community colleges.

   Fall registration begins Monday, May 11, for current and former students. Registration opens for everyone on Friday, May 15. Fall classes start Monday, August 24. For more information, visit austincc.edu/howtoregister.

     About ACC: Austin Community College District is a nationally recognized two-year college serving Central Texas. The college is focused on student success and building brighter futures through upward mobility. Through collaborative partnerships and innovative learning programs, ACC provides affordable, flexible pathways to help everyone reach their education goals, learn new job skills, or advance their career. The college enrolls almost 80,000 students annually.