Office of Budget

The Budget Office provides leadership and guidance to the President, Senior Leaders, and the MSU Denver Board of Trustees on budget and planning for the University. The Budget Office is responsible for: 

• Providing accurate and transparent budgetary information for the internal university stakeholders as well as external agencies and governing bodies. 

• Preparing for and responding to proposed legislation that could ultimately affect the budget and/or fiscal planning. 

• Assisting administrators, faculty, and staff with budgetary planning and analysis. 

• Crafting, revising, and executing the university’s budget process. 

The Budget Office is critical to the planning and facilitation of the budget process and the execution of the finalized budget to ensure that administrators, faculty, staff, and students know that money received by the university is well spent and utilized to enhance the educational and professional experience of all Roadrunners, whether students to employees. 

Budget Overview

MSU operates a collaborative budget process that aims to incorporate shared governance into budget decision making. Our people are at the core of our mission and budget.

Revenue

A majority of MSU’s revenue comes from tuition and fees and state funding. A smaller portion typically come from grants, fundraising and auxiliary activities such as the University’s hotel, interest income, etc.

Expenditures

The single largest investment MSU Denver makes is in people, with nearly 70% of the budget dedicated to compensation and benefits. Other key area of investment is operational expenses that keep the University running, such as utilities, building maintenance, and software licensing.

Budget Development Cycle

Summer: Planning and budget assumptions and trustee/presidential budget priorities are developed.       

Fall: 

• Planning and budget assumptions and priorities set and communicated. 

• Budget owners develop their proposals with input from their stakeholders and submit them to UPBAC.        

October through December: Departmental budgetary discussions and development 

January: UPBAC reviews assumptions and provides perspectives for the president’s consideration.       

May and/or June: The president considers the feedback, then submits proposals to the trustees for approval.

Total Expenditures $222,934,059

Projected Expenditures and Individual Branch Budgets

• Academic Affairs   $119,117,064
• Administration and Finance   $33,981,423
• Athletics   $3,676,249
• Campus Wide   $23,410,581
• Diversity   $1,474,687
• General Counsel   $2,170,561
• Government Relations   $910,129
• President’s Office   $2,387,648
• Strategy   $2,659,331
• Student Affairs   $18,329,328
• University Advancement   $4,657,343
• University Communications and Marketing   $5,014,613
• Compensation Increases $3,750,000

Student Fee Review

Student Fee Policy