The University of Saskatchewan's Board of Governors has approved tuition increases averaging 4 and a half per cent for the 2013-14 academic year.

Tuition revenue comprises 23 per cent of the university's operating budget and officials say it helps fund priorities including recruiting and retaining high-quality faculty.

The tuition increases vary by program, but most programs will see an increase of 4 point 6 per cent or less, including arts, science, education, agriculture and bioresources, kinesiology, business and graduate studies.

The approved undergraduate tuition rate changes for specific programs range from 0 per cent to 7 and a half per cent for domestic students, with the exception of law, which will see a 15 per cent increase in an effort to bring the rate closer to the median of peer institutions.

According to university officials, tuition costs at the U of S, even after the increase, are projected to be lower than the median of similar programs at other universities in Canada, with the exception of dentistry.

The new tuition revenue, as a result of a combination of the new rates and expected enrolment increases, is projected at 6 million dollars in 2013-14.