SUNY Ulster projects higher enrollment, proposes tuition increase in draft 2026 budget

SUNY Ulster officials presented a revised draft 2026 budget to the Ulster County Ways and Means Committee on May 15, saying the college expects enrollment growth and is proposing a modest tuition increase to cover rising costs.

The college is budgeting 1,667 full‑time equivalent students (FTEs) for the coming year, up from 1,547 FTEs in the prior year, and projecting total tuition revenue of about $8.7 million, college presenters told the committee. The draft increases full‑time tuition by $164 per semester to $5,808 and raises the part‑time per‑credit fee by $12. Personnel costs comprise roughly 78% of the college’s budget, presenters said.

The enrollment increase, presenters said, underlies much of the revenue growth. The college reported a 6.3% growth comparing fall 2024 to fall 2023 and used projected spring numbers in its budget where final spring data were not yet available. Presenters noted the college’s tuition level remains below the federal Pell award benchmark of $7,000 per year.

College staff explained changes in staffing and costs. The draft adds 13 positions: five faculty lines (in business, English, nursing, IT/networking and psychology), 2.5 management positions, one CSEA position and 5.5 positions in the professional union (OPEB). Presenters said some positions were requested by departments and one requested reduction was made at a department’s request. They also said benefits costs declined in the draft budget, largely because the NYSHIP Empire health plan renewed at a 0% increase this year.

Presenters flagged utility costs as sensitive; they said every one‑cent increase in the utility rate raises college expenses by roughly $40,000. They also described a funding‑floor (hold‑harmless) model used by SUNY and said the college’s current floor is set at 1,997 FTEs; with the draft enrollment they remain roughly 300 FTEs under that floor. Presenters added that the recently enacted New York state budget included $8 million for community colleges statewide and that SUNY Ulster is listed to receive about $108,000, but college staff said the county and college still lack clarity on how that state funding will be implemented or whether it will be an add‑on to the floor or a grant with conditions.

On county support, presenters said discussions with the county executive indicate county support will remain flat for the coming year because the county faces fiscal uncertainty; the draft therefore holds the county maintenance‑of‑effort (MOE) level flat from last year. The presenters also outlined the college’s fund balance: the college ended fiscal year 8/31/2024 with $7.4 million in fund balance, set aside a 2.5‑month “rainy day” reserve of about $5.7 million and projects a smaller fund balance draw for the coming year; they estimated a projected loss for the current year of about $242,000 and an available fund balance for appropriation of just over $1 million under current projections.

Committee members asked about specific revenue and cost lines, including the predictability of charges billed to other counties, state rent support, and whether recent state allocations would require additional college spending. Presenters said the college is pursuing grants and programs (including a pilot SNAP E&T program coordinated with the county and state agencies) to offset expenses and indicated they would return with clarifications as state guidance becomes available.

The presentation was informational; no committee vote on the college budget was recorded during the Ways and Means meeting.