Board approves modest tuition increase and adopts FY budgets and capital requests

The Austin Peay State University Board of Trustees voted to approve tuition and mandatory fees for the 2026–27 academic year, adopt the estimated FY2025–26 budget and the proposed FY2026–27 budget, and approve capital outlay and maintenance requests for FY2027–28.

Trustee Canada presented the business and finance committee’s recommendations and moved the committee motions. Trustees discussed cost pressures and affordability; one trustee noted that in‑state students who qualify for the HOPE scholarship would face a tuition figure in the neighborhood of $4,470–$5,600 depending on year and credits. Trustees stressed the goal of keeping increases small and protecting access for students who rely on the HOPE scholarship.

The board recorded roll‑call responses for the budget motions (trustees listed their assent during the roll call). The motions were committee‑initiated so seconds were not required and the motions carried accordingly.

Why it matters: The budget, tuition and capital outlay actions establish the university’s funding priorities for the coming year and enable planned facilities and maintenance requests to proceed. Trustees framed the votes as balancing quality and affordability.

Next steps: Administration will implement the approved tuition schedule and budget, and the capital outlay requests will be advanced to the state process as required.