TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Indiana State University is proposing an increase of more than $200 in tuition for each of the next two academic years, while adjusting its proposed budget to reflect another projected enrollment drop.
A public hearing presentation for a public hearing held Monday outlines the plan for the proposed tuition increase:
- 2023-24: Proposed tuition of $9,992 ($260 increase or $130 per semester)
- 2024-25: Proposed tuition of $10,258 ($266 increase or $133 per semester)
These tuition costs would be for full-time, in-state undergraduate students.
The presentation outlined the following uses for the increased tuition and fees:
- Maintain academic quality of instruction
- Meet ongoing operational expenses
- Provide student scholarships and fee remissions
In April, President Deborah Curtis announced the $12 million budget reallocation process at ISU had been completed, calling it a “huge accomplishment”.
The ISU Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday at 10 a.m.. The agenda for the meeting highlights a proposed budget of $164 million for 2023-24.
The general fund budget summary includes a fund line regarding student tuition that shows a budget decline in funding of $9.3 million and a proposed budget of $66 million in tuition revenue. A footnote indicates “this decrease is inclusive of a 2.75% increase in tuition for undergraduate and graduate students, a $11,739,219 adjustment for actual FY23 and projected FY24 enrollment declines, and other miscellaneous adjustments”.
The projected FY24 enrollment declines were not specifically listed in the footnote.
At ISU, declining enrollment has been an ongoing challenge. Enrollment sat at 7,834 students for the Spring 2023 semester. Here’s a breakdown of the past few years’ enrollment trend:
- Spring 2023 – 7,834
- Fall 2022 – 8,658
- Spring 2022 – 8,541
- Fall 2021 – 9,459
- Spring 2021 – 9,908
- Fall 2020 – 10,830
- Spring 2020 – 11,049
- Fall 2019 – 12,146
According to data presented for Spring 2023’s enrollment numbers, in-state undergrads account for 72% of undergraduate enrollment at ISU. Full-time undergrads, regardless of residency, accounted for 81% of undergraduate enrollment. There was not a breakdown specifically of full-time AND in-state undergraduate students.
Mywabashvalley.com will have a crew at Thursday’s meeting to report on the budget discussions and any decisions to come out of the meeting.
