Seoul, South Korea – A recent survey conducted by the Korea Universities Council (KUC) reveals that a significant number of South Korean universities are seeking to increase tuition fees for the 2025 academic year.

Of the 84 university presidents surveyed, 57 (67.9%) indicated that they had proposed or plan to propose a tuition hike to their respective tuition review committees. The remaining respondents either favored freezing tuition (31.0%) or did not provide an answer (1.2%).

The survey found a more pronounced inclination towards tuition increases among private universities, particularly those located in the Seoul metropolitan area. Over 85% of private universities in the capital region expressed their intention to raise tuition.

In contrast, public universities were more likely to maintain the current tuition level. This disparity highlights the financial pressures faced by private institutions, especially in high-cost urban areas.

The most common proposed tuition increase was between 5.0% and 5.49%, aligning with the government's set upper limit. The survey also indicated that many universities are considering further tuition hikes for the 2026 academic year.

When asked about the root causes of the recurring tuition fee debates, respondents primarily pointed to the need for substantial increases in government funding for higher education and greater flexibility in tuition setting.

Furthermore, the survey touched on concerns about the future of higher education in South Korea. A significant number of respondents expressed worries about the potential closure of universities within the next decade, with some predicting the closure of over 50 institutions.

The newly introduced Regional Innovation System for Education (RISE) initiative, aimed at revitalizing regional universities, received mixed reviews. While nearly 40% of respondents believed that RISE would contribute to the development of regional universities, a similar proportion expressed uncertainty about its effectiveness.