HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –The Marshall University Board of Governors approved its $383 million fiscal year 2027 budget and an increase in in-state tuition rates during its meeting Wednesday.
The budget reflects the university’s continued progress toward eliminating its operating deficit since 2023. In fiscal year 2023, the university had a $27.7 million operating deficit. By fiscal year 2027, that deficit is projected to decrease to $2.9 million.
Marshall President Brad Smith said the university has taken steps to ensure the deficit continues to decline.
“We have grown students not fees, increased enrollment 22% while only raising tuition slightly below inflation, we’ve been able to invest into our team, we now gotten our team up to market levels, while continuing to invest in their ability to do research and service,” Smith said during the meeting.
Marshall Chief Financial Officer Matt Tidd said the budget includes a $550,000 market equity adjustment, raising campus workers’ wages to $14 per hour.
The BOG also approved a slight increase in tuition rates for in-state students.
“The university is proposing an overall 2.5% increase to undergraduate and graduate resident students,” Tidd said. “We’re also proposing to maintain non-resident, international, and metro undergraduate and graduate rates at last year’s level.”
This increase is below the current inflation rate of 3.1%. Despite the rise, Marshall University remains committed to making higher education affordable through programs such as Marshall for All and Marshall for All–Tuition Free.
Tidd said that despite the increase, Marshall University remains a good value.
“You know sometimes that’s the headline grabbing thing, 2.5% increase that the university’s increasing, it’s important to note that the average net price of Marshall University is substantially below all of our competitors,” he said.
Tidd said a Marshall University education offers better value compared with similar institutions.
“A Marshall University graduate has a greater return on their investment than all of our peers in those categories, so instead of the 2.5% increase we need to make sure the value of a Marshall University degree,” he said.
Smith said it is remarkable that the university continues to make progress toward its goals, but he acknowledged that there is still work to be done.
“It’s a privilege to be able to say that FY 23 we told us, we wanted to be here by FY 27 and we’re checking those boxes,” he said. “But we’re not resting on any laurels because we have a lot of work ahead of us, this campus is leaning in, and this summer is going to be an exciting time for us.”