VMI Board approves FY26 operating budget with no tuition increase, caps athletics subsidy at $750,000

The Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors on May 1 approved the institute's fiscal year 2026 operating budget, voting to hold tuition flat for both Virginia and out-of-state cadets while imposing a 3 percent increase in mandatory fees. The board also directed that the institute's athletics subsidy be capped at $750,000 for FY26, with an option to raise that amount to $1,000,000 based on a January 2026 review of projected FY27 athletics deficits.

The actions followed an extended discussion in which board members debated competing priorities: affordability and enrollment versus rising operating costs and institutional prudence. Supporters of holding tuition at current levels cited concerns about enrollment headwinds and access for lower-income families; opponents urged modest increases to preserve fiscal reserves and avoid larger hikes later.

The final budget motion that passed set tuition increases at 0 percent for…