A bus passes in front of Strong Hall Nov. 16, 2015, on the University of Kansas campus.

TOPEKA — Incoming students can expect to pay 2.5 percent more per semester for tuition at the University of Kansas this fall, under tuition rates KU proposed to the Kansas Board of Regents Wednesday.

The board discussed tuition proposals from KU and other state universities at its meeting Wednesday and is anticipated to vote on proposals Thursday, the second day of the board’s June meeting.

KU’s proposed tuition increase is half as large as last year, when tuition increased 5 percent over the previous year.

For the 2017-18 academic year, KU proposes charging $4,908 per semester for in-state undergraduates. That’s an increase of about $120, or 2.5 percent, over the previous year, when in-state undergraduates paid $4,789 per semester, according to figures from the Regents.

At KU, incoming freshmen may opt instead to pay a compact tuition rate — significantly higher, but locked in for four years.

For the 2017-18 compact tuition rate, KU proposes charging $5,531 per semester for in-state undergraduates. That’s an increase of 5.5 percent over the previous year, when the compact rate was $5,242 per semester.

Fees add hundreds of dollars per semester. At KU, in-state undergraduates will pay an additional $502.75 per semester in required campus fees on top of their tuition, under the proposal.

The five other state universities also are proposing tuition increases this year, ranging from 2.5 percent to 3 percent.

KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little told the board the proposal represented a “balance” between funding desired initiatives and keeping costs at a level that still allows students to come to KU, ensuring enrollment stays strong.

“When we set tuition, we are trying to balance affordability and quality,” Gray-Little said, in a KU news release. “We want KU to remain affordable while also ensuring we have the resources to provide students the education and experiences they expect from a flagship research university.”

On the Lawrence campus, funds raised by the proposed tuition increase will fund facility operating costs — including utilities, operations, maintenance and servicing new buildings — changes to fringe benefits, a required minimum salary adjustment for graduate teaching assistants and student support, according to KU.

KU is proposing a tuition increase of 5 percent for all students at the KU Medical Center campus.

For the medical center, revenue from the tuition increase will fund facility operating costs, fringe benefits changes, the new School of Nursing facility in Salina and technology infrastructure upgrades, according to KU.

KU gets $313.1 million in revenues from tuition, under the proposal, according to figures provided by the Board of Regents.

In recent years, state funding has fallen to about 18 percent of KU’s total revenue, according to KU.

The Board of Regents tuition approval process started late this year.

Typically, the board has a first reading of universities’ tuition and fee proposals at its May meeting, then approves them in June. However, this year schools had to wait on the state Legislature to pass an appropriations bill — which it did only in recent days after a near record-long legislative session — to calculate and propose tuition rates.

KU is the only state university that offers freshmen a choice between a standard or compact tuition rate.

Gray-Little noted that the compact rate’s popularity has decreased since it was first offered, probably simply because the initial cost is markedly higher.

“I think the appeal of it has eroded somewhat,” Gray-Little said.

In the first year students had the option, 18 percent opted in to the compact rate, said Diane Goddard, KU vice provost for administration and finance. Last year, 11 percent opted in, she said.

“It’s continuing to drop,” Goddard said. “I suspect it will be lower again this year. So it’s giving students a choice, and most are choosing the standard rate.”

2017-18 tuition (proposed) at Kansas Board of Regents universities

Rates are per semester, for in-state undergraduate students. All represent increases of between 2.5 percent and 3 percent over previous year.

KU — $4,908

K-State — $4,641

Wichita State — $3,272

Emporia State — $2,513

Pittsburg State — $2,774

Fort Hays State — $1,950

Source: Kansas Board of Regents

KU undergraduate tuition (proposed) for 2017-18

Rates are per semester.

In-state

Lawrence campus — $4,908

Lawrence compact rate — $5,531

KU Medical Center — $5,031

Out-of-state

Lawrence campus — $12,792

Lawrence compact rate — $14,385

KU Medical Center — $13,105

Note: Figures do not include fees. Proposed required campus fees for undergraduates on the Lawrence campus are $502.75 per semester. Other fees vary.

KU graduate tuition (proposed) for 2017-18

Rates are per semester except medical students, who pay per year.

In-state

Lawrence campus — $4,858

KU Medical Center — $4,954

Medical students — $37,147 (per year)

Out-of-state

Lawrence campus — $11,365

KU Medical Center — $11,642

Medical students — $65,770 (per year)

Note: Figures do not include fees, which vary.

Source: Kansas Board of Regents