Board of Regents approves 2025–26 operating budget, includes 5% tuition increase

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Wednesday approved the system’s 2025–26 operating budget, including a 5% tuition increase and more than $20 million in additional budget reductions, after a lengthy discussion about state funding, program consolidation and student affordability.

President Gold told the board the proposal pairs the tuition increase with targeted cuts and strategic investments: "The proposal we bring to the board today ... 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 a $100,000,000 of reductions over the last decade," he said. His remarks framed the administration’s view that the combination was necessary to preserve academic quality amid constrained state appropriations.

Board members questioned whether more cuts could avoid raising tuition and debated the fairness of shifting more of the university’s costs onto students. Some regents described the decision as painful but necessary to keep the university solvent; two regents recorded “no” votes. Student Regent Libby Wilkins spoke in favor of maintaining program quality: "I completely agree. I want my education to mean something and that means funneling money into our institution," she said.

Why it matters: The vote formalizes tuition and spending decisions that affect tens of thousands of students across the system and follows months of state budgeting that left the university with an appropriation below its inflation-driven request. The board’s action also signals continued emphasis on program alignment, consolidation and fundraising to offset uncertain state and federal support.

Key facts - The approved operating budget includes a 5% tuition increase for 2025–26 and more than $20 million in additional reductions to core budgets; the system has taken more than $100 million in reductions over the last decade. (President Gold) - The administration signaled a system review of institutionally controlled tuition remissions, including Regents Scholarships and other remissions that are not fully funded by the state. - The board discussed both short-term cuts and longer-term strategic steps, including joint accreditation planning for UNL and UNMC and new degree proposals intended to meet workforce demand.

Board discussion and vote Board members spoke at length about the state’s fiscal choices, the distribution of funding across urban and rural campuses, and the long-term return on investment for the state. Several regents urged deeper engagement with the Legislature and business leaders about higher-education funding as a statewide economic investment.

On the roll call, the motion to approve the operating budget and tuition increase passed. Two regents voted no; the remainder voted yes. (See the 'Votes at a glance' list for other agenda actions approved at the same meeting.)

Votes at a glance (selected administrative and academic actions approved at the meeting) - 11 b 5 — Approve University of Nebraska operating budget for FY 2025–26 (includes 5% tuition increase). Outcome: approved. Roll-call recorded: two no votes (Regent Wilmot and Regent Schaefer), remainder yes. - 11 a 10 — Establish bachelor of science in robotics engineering (UNL). Outcome: approved (roll call: motion passes). - 11 a 11 — Merge French and German majors into a single modern languages major (UNL). Outcome: approved (motion passes). - 11 a 12 — Establish multidisciplinary studies (UNL) after debate over market confusion with UNO’s longstanding degree; the board approved the degree with an expectation that the president’s office work with campuses on a distinct name to avoid market confusion. Outcome: approved (motion passes). - 11 a 13 — Establish Diabetes Center of Excellence in Diabetes Care Research and Education (UNMC), supported by private philanthropy and an endowed professorship. Outcome: approved (motion passes). - 11 a 14 — Eliminate the Center for Advanced Surgical Technology (CAST) at UNMC (history noted; commercialization led to Virtual Incision). Outcome: approved (motion passes). - 11 a 4, 11 a 5, 11 a 6, 11 a 7 — Delete various undergraduate degree programs in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at UNK as part of consolidation. Outcome: approved (motion passes). - 11 a 8 — Delete BS in Spanish translation and interpretation at UNK; students moved to BA Modern Languages with Spanish emphasis. Outcome: approved (motion passes). - 11 a 9 — Consolidate English and English writing majors into a single BA in English (UNK). Outcome: approved (motion passes). - 11 b 1–4 — Approve campus facilities fee allocations for FY 2025–26 (UNK, UNL, UNMC, UNO). Outcome: approved (motion passes). - 11 b 6 — Approve Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) operating budget for FY 2025–26. Outcome: approved (motion passes). - 11 b 7 — Renew FM Global property insurance for FY 2025–26. Outcome: approved (motion passes). - 11 b 8 — Approve interlocal agreement with Nebraska State Patrol for supplemental security at UNL events (NSP officers paid from athletics). Outcome: approved (motion passes). - 11 b 9 — Approve guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contract pathway for UNMC infrastructure project; award to MCL as construction manager. Outcome: approved (motion passes). - 11 c 1 & 11 c 2 — Amendments to Board bylaws and updates to purchasing/facilities procedures (chapters 1–3 and sections 6.1–6.3) were approved after committee review. Outcome: approved (motion passes). - 11 a 3 — Approval of certain outside activities for staff (details discussed in closed session). Outcome: approved following closed session.

What’s next: The board’s fiscal action launches implementation steps at campus level, including program consolidations, further itemized cuts and a review of institutionally controlled tuition remissions. The administration said it will continue to pursue private philanthropy and federal research funding to reduce pressure on tuition and core budgets.

Ending note: Regents acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and emphasized follow-up work with state leaders and campus partners to protect access and program quality while addressing long-term fiscal sustainability.