MSU Denver finalizes FY26 budget with focus on people and sustainability

Dear Roadrunners,

At the June Board of Trustees meeting, the Metropolitan State University of Denver Board of Trustees approved the fiscal 2026 budget: a $222.9 million plan that reflects our commitment to investing in our people, prioritizing student success and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

This year’s budget was developed in alignment with my annual budget charge, which emphasized supporting employees, advancing student success, improving organizational efficiency and expanding recruitment pipelines. The University Planning and Budget Advisory Committee (UPBAC) — a shared-governance group representing each University branch — worked diligently to produce a thoughtful, data-informed recommendation based on your well-considered budget requests and an assumption of flat enrollment. I’m grateful for the committee members’ collaboration and leadership. The board-approved budget is nearly identical to UPBAC’s recommendation.

See the full budget here

Prioritizing pay increases and strategic investments 
Beginning in the new fiscal year, faculty and administrative staff will receive a 2.5% pay increase. That includes part-time administrative-staff members and tenured/tenure-track faculty members working less than 40 hours per week. Classified employees will also receive a 2.5% raise, as required by the state. While affiliate-faculty pay is not eligible for the across-the-board increase, it will be adjusted within the Academic Affairs pay scale. Staff members will see these increases in July paychecks, and faculty members will see them when new contracts begin.

The budget also includes nearly $800,000 in strategic investments for cybersecurity, scholarships, marketing and fundraising.

Balancing fiscal discipline with student-centered values 
Due to a significant budget shortfall at the state level, we started the budget-development cycle in search of $5 million of funds to redistribute across the University to meet our mandatory costs and fund a compensation increase. Through the UPBAC process, branches brought forward nearly $3.9 million in internal savings by identifying efficiencies, consolidating vacant positions and reducing contract spending. This strategic, Universitywide response helped us close the gap while safeguarding student success and protecting our people.

The approved budget also assumes a 3.5% tuition increase — consistent with other Colorado four-year institutions. These plans allow us to reinvest in compensation, rebuild reserves and maintain long-term fiscal health as we prepare for what experts believe will be another tight state budget in FY27.

Budgeting in times of uncertainty takes discipline, creativity and collaboration. Thank you to UPBAC, branch leaders and every staff and faculty member who contributed to this year’s process. Together, we’ve delivered a plan that strengthens our University and keeps us squarely focused on our mission.

Onward,

Janine Davidson, Ph.D.
President