UNH Announces Tuition Increase and Budget Cuts: What It Means for Students

DURHAM — The University of New Hampshire is set to cut $17.5 million in spending following recent layoffs that affected 36 employees. President Elizabeth Chilton shared these plans on June 30, citing a widening financial gap.

Enrollment numbers for the fall didn’t meet expectations, leading to an $8.2 million shortfall. Moreover, the state’s new budget reduces funding to the University System by $18 million over the next two years, significantly impacting overall resources.

To manage this financial crunch, a 3% reduction in spending across all university departments is planned, resulting in a $12.1 million cut. Chilton has asked every academic and administrative unit to pinpoint additional savings this summer.

Chilton emphasized, “While across-the-board cuts aren’t ideal, this is the most viable option considering our urgent fiscal situation. We are committed to maintaining investments in key areas like enrollment and student success.”

Additionally, the university intends to save $3.6 million by delaying hiring for new positions and refilling existing vacancies for at least 120 days. Another $1.8 million will be saved through central management of operational and administrative costs.

Chilton also called for more cost-cutting ideas from university leaders, indicating a shift in communication. Now, UNH, along with other public universities in New Hampshire, will report directly to Chancellor Catherine Provencher for the next two years.

Amid these cutbacks, there was a previous reduction plan that led to 35 staff layoffs, but crucial faculty and instructors remained untouched. This comes just as Governor Kelly Ayotte approved a $15.9 billion budget for the state, indicating tough circumstances for higher education overall. “We are facing extraordinary challenges, including demographic changes and funding issues,” Chilton noted in her message. “We need to define our strengths and investments for the future.”

Funding from the state for the University System has averaged $95 million annually over the past two fiscal years. As a result, tuition is set to rise for the 2025-2026 academic year, marking the first increase for in-state students in six years. In-state tuition will rise to $15,908, up from $15,520, while out-of-state tuition will increase to $37,070 from $36,170.

In terms of enrollment, UNH had over 12,500 undergraduate students this past spring, which is lower than the 13,499 students in spring 2018. These financial and enrollment challenges highlight a critical juncture for the university as it strategizes its path forward.

To explore further on funding and financial management in education, check out resources from the [National Center for Education Statistics](https://nces.ed.gov) and [Education Commission of the States](https://www.ecs.org).

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