CSU System Board approves budget and tuition

Facing a more than $1.2 billion state budget deficit, state general fund appropriations to higher education in Colorado increased by only 2.5% this year. By comparison, state legislators approved a 9% increase in funding for public higher education last fiscal year.

State funding and tuition levels are closely linked – with higher levels of state support typically equating to smaller tuition increases. This year, lawmakers set undergraduate tuition increases at 3.5% for residents.

“Our state government is facing significant and likely persistent budget challenges, and we certainly appreciate that lawmakers found a way to modestly increase funding for higher education and ensure that tuition remains low for Colorado students and families,” Chancellor Tony Frank said. “The softening in state appropriations comes at the same time there is a high degree of uncertainty tied to federal support for universities nationally, which is forcing our institutions – particularly the flagship research campus in Fort Collins – to be more conservative with next year’s budget.”

The 2025-2026 fiscal year starts July 1. The budgets approved by the Board this week include the following:

CSU Fort Collins
Undergraduate tuition and fees for Colorado resident students will increase by $387, which includes a 3.5% tuition increase. Nonresident undergraduate tuition and fees will rise by $1,308 per semester, which includes a 4% tuition increase. About 20% of tuition increases will support student financial aid; the increases will not affect the university’s lowest-income students.

CSU is facing a unique confluence of challenges this fiscal year, with mandatory cost increases continuing to outpace state support at the same time there are significant questions about the future of federal funding for higher education nationally. CSU receives $436 million a year in federal grants and contracts that support research in predictive weather modeling, energy, agriculture, infectious disease and much more. With a variety of executive orders, proclamations and other directives from the new presidential administration calling for a dramatic reduction in research activities across the nation, CSU is taking cost-saving steps to preserve financial capacity to weather potential federal disruptions.

“Colorado State has achieved tremendous momentum and a positive upward trajectory over the last couple of years, and it’s important that we take steps in the face of tighter state funding and swirling federal questions to protect our financial strength, prioritize jobs and support our students,” CSU President Amy Parsons said. “These are serious potential challenges, but we are keeping our eyes on the future and doing all that is necessary to continue CSU’s march toward becoming a national model for the modern land-grant university.”

To preserve financial capacity, CSU is moving forward with an aggregate spending reduction for the coming fiscal year of about 2%. The reductions are being levied strategically – with some units seeing budget increases, some remaining flat, and others receiving varying levels of reductions. In addition, CSU has implemented a hiring chill and asked all units across campus to reduce spending on travel, events and other discretionary activities.

As it relates to compensation, administrative professionals, faculty and graduate assistants making less than $103,000 in annualized salary will be eligible for salary increases of 1%. Those making more than that – representing the top 25th percentile of campus salaries – will not see pay raises.

CSU Pueblo
Resident undergraduate tuition for Colorado resident students will increase 3.5%, or $124 a semester, and 3.5% for non-resident students.

Facing a projected $4 million structural deficit for FY26, Colorado State University Pueblo has taken proactive steps to realign its budget while prioritizing transparency and mission-driven decision-making.

The university implemented a six-step, priority-based approach to guide reductions, beginning with broad structural adjustments and progressing to targeted cuts across divisions. Much of the deficit was addressed through reductions, strategic reinvestment of one-time funds, and the deferral of salary increases for faculty and administrative professional staff. A late change in state funding allowed the campus to preserve planned equity increases for faculty and administrative professional staff.

“This budget reflects the tough but necessary choices we must make to ensure CSU Pueblo remains a strong, student-centered and community-engaged university,” said CSU Pueblo Interim President Rico Munn. “Even in the face of fiscal constraints, our commitment to access and our mission as a Hispanic-Serving Institution remains at the forefront.”

As a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, the university continues to prioritize programs and initiatives that enhance student success, expand access and support the communities of southern Colorado.

CSU Global
CSU Global, the System’s fully online university, will hold tuition rates steady this year. Additionally, the institution will continue its practice of not charging student fees, as it does not receive state funding.

About the CSU System
The three CSU System campuses, and the out-of-state students they attract in an average year, fuel about 25,000 Colorado jobs and about $238 million in state income and sales tax revenue annually. The campuses – the flagship research university in Fort Collins; CSU Pueblo, a regionally focused Hispanic-Serving Institution; and the fully online CSU Global – together enroll more than 50,000 new and returning students each year.