(INDIANAPOLIS) - Governor Mike Braun is encouraging members of Indiana's Class of 2026 to consider attending college in Indiana as the state's public colleges and universities continue a two-year freeze on in-state tuition and mandatory fees.
At Braun's request, all 15 of Indiana's public colleges and universities, including main and regional campuses, agreed to hold tuition and mandatory fees flat for in-state undergraduate students during the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years.
"Congratulations to every Hoosier student walking across the graduation stage this spring," Braun said. "Whether you're heading to college, starting your career, or serving our nation in the military, we are proud of you. For Hoosiers headed to college, a four-year degree in Indiana is an incredible value: our public universities have now frozen tuition for a second year."
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education unanimously endorsed Braun's recommendation. State officials say it marks the first time all of Indiana's public colleges and universities have simultaneously frozen tuition and mandatory fees for in-state students.
State leaders say the tuition freeze is intended to reduce college costs for Hoosier families and make public higher education more affordable.
This year's graduates are also the first students to complete Indiana's new high school diploma system, which is built around three post-graduation pathways: enrollment in college, employment, or enlistment in the military.
Under the new diploma structure, students earning the Enrollment Honors Plus Seal can receive automatic admission to Indiana's public universities. Employment pathway students complete hands-on experiences designed to prepare them for careers, while students earning the Enlistment and Service Seal prepare for military service.
The governor's office said the tuition freeze and diploma changes are part of a broader education agenda that has also included expanded school choice, increased starting teacher salaries, additional K-12 funding, a new A-through-F school accountability system, and the creation of Indiana's Office of School Safety.
The administration also cited recent education benchmarks, including Indiana ranking sixth nationally in fourth-grade literacy, a five-percentage-point increase in third-grade literacy scores last year, and a statewide high school graduation rate of 92 percent.