School increases affect pockets: Tuition increases

MEXICO CITY (El Universal).— Annual general inflation slowed in July for the second month in a row, to 3.51%, but the return to school threatens to put pressure on tuition hikes in August and September for the 2025-2026 school year, experts say.

Tuition fees still reflect the increases from the previous school year, particularly those related to basic education, with increases exceeding 6% annually, but it remains to be seen how much they will increase this year.

"We'll have to wait and see what happens in August and September, when the new academic year will be finalized," explained Raymundo Tenorio, professor emeritus at Tec de Monterrey.

This trend of tuition rising faster than inflation could continue into the next school year, especially for elementary education, estimated Héctor Magaña, coordinator of the Center for Research in Economics and Business (CIEN).

In his opinion, this will put pressure on family budgets, since basic education levels, with higher tuition increases, tend to be accompanied by the highest number of students per household.

"In preschool, primary, and secondary school, children are more likely to be responsible for parents having to pay tuition," the analyst added.

This could represent a blow to monthly budgets, especially for middle-class households, where it is more difficult to ensure their children are educated in private schools, Magaña said.

At the close of the 2024-2025 school year, private education fees overall reported an annual increase of 5.78% in July, with preschool fees standing out, up 6.66%, followed by primary school, at 6.36%, and secondary school, at 6.30%, according to INEGI.

Factors of scarcity

"Among the factors that most influence the rise in tuition are teachers' base salaries, wages, and benefits, which represent half of the operating expenses of private education at all levels," Tenorio said.

Specifically, regarding the rising cost of basic education, the specialist said it is due to the fact that private education has not grown as it did in the last decade, due to the population pyramid.

Regarding secondary and higher education, enrollment in private high schools increased 5.77% annually in July, while in universities it grew 5.50%.

Moderate inflation

In July, annual inflation fell to 3.51%, but the return to school could raise it.

School increases

Basic education tuition fees grew by more than 6% and will continue to rise.

Family pressure

More school-age children increase the impact on the budget.

By level

Preschool rose 6.66%, primary 6.36% and secondary 6.30%.

Key factors

Teacher salaries and fewer options make education more expensive.

Useful and uniforms

Moderate increases; computers fell 2.55%.