CU proposes tuition increases, including…

Anticipating budget gaps in coming years, the University of Colorado is considering ways to make up for those shortfalls, including new approaches to increasing tuition.

During a Thursday CU Board of Regents meeting, Todd Saliman, current chief financial officer and incoming interim university president, presented proposals to budget for declining revenues because of factors including persistently low state funding for higher education compared to peer institutions, more money going toward financial aid and lower numbers of high school graduates, Saliman said.

By 2025, CU Boulder is anticipating a $117.4 million budget gap. If the university goes forward with proposed cost-saving measures, the shortfall would decline to an estimated $54.9 million gap. To fully close the gap, Saliman said additional campus conversations are needed.

Regents unanimously voted in favor of raising tuition for students beginning in 2022 who are studying the natural sciences and environmental design, including majors such as chemistry, biology, psychology and physics. The presentation noted natural science programs and environmental design cost more to deliver — about double the price — than arts and sciences programs. Data shows natural science graduates earn more than other majors upon entering the workforce, the university said.

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