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University of Nebraska regents approve 5% tuition increase as part of 2025–26 operating budget
Summary
The Board of Regents approved a fiscal 2025–26 operating budget that includes a 5% tuition increase and more than $20 million in additional cuts, prompting extensive debate about funding, state support and the impact on students.
The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska voted to adopt the system'wide operating budget for fiscal year 2025'26, approving a 5% tuition increase and more than $20 million in additional reductions on top of more than $100 million of cuts taken over the last decade.
President Gold told the board the proposal "includes a 5% tuition increase and well more than $20,000,000 of additional cuts to our core budget that sit on top of more than $100,000,000 of reductions over the last decade." He said the measures were necessary to address inflationary pressures, rising employee benefits and uncertain future federal research funding.
The nut of the debate centered on the tradeoffs between raising tuition and the prospect of deeper program and staffing cuts. Regent Schroeder praised the administration's lobbying and negotiation with the legislature, saying the compromise limited what would otherwise have been a larger tuition increase. "When we went to Washington, DC... I just wanted to say thank you," Schroeder said, commending the work to mitigate funding losses.
Student regent Libby Wilkins, speaking during the public portion where student representatives addressed the board, said she supported investments in the university's academic quality. "I want my education to mean something and, and that means funneling money into our institution," Wilkins said.
Several regents emphasized the structural budget pressures that drove the vote. Some framed the tuition increase as a short-term necessity to avoid cutting classroom instruction and faculty positions; others urged more aggressive long-term advocacy to change the state's funding approach.
Board materials show the operating proposal is built on a 0.625% increase in state appropriations and a 5% average tuition increase. The administration also told the board it will examine institutionally controlled tuition remissions, including Regents Scholarships and presidential grants, while preserving scholarships already awarded.
The board approved the operating budget after roll-call voting; the motion passed with a majority in favor. Regents expressed differing views about future approaches to state advocacy, program prioritization and return on investment, but a majority concluded the adopted package best balanced affordability and the need to maintain academic quality.
Looking ahead, board members said they will continue budget deliberations at campus and system levels. President Gold said the system will implement "several important cost saving measures" in the coming weeks and that campuses will continue to align with the strategic plan adopted earlier in the year.
Votes at a glance: The board approved the fiscal 2025'26 operating budget, including the 5% tuition increase and related cuts.
The board will transmit the approved operating budget to the appropriate state offices and proceed with campus-level implementation and further planning.
