KU secures best higher education budget in years

Thu, 06/23/22

The 2022 legislative session has officially concluded, with lawmakers providing the best higher education budget in years, including essential operations funding, increased need-based scholarships, merit salary increases and other critical investments. As a result, KU will hold tuition flat for a fourth consecutive year — providing welcome relief for Kansas families as we all cope with pervasive rising prices.

Here are a few highlights of the fiscal year 2023 higher education budget:

Ongoing investments

$37.5 million restored to base-budget funding for six public universities
$19 million for need-based scholarships at public and private universities, to be matched by the Kansas Board of Regents
5% merit salary increases for faculty and staff

One-time investments

$35 million deferred maintenance, to be matched by universities, including $9.5 million for KU’s Lawrence campus and nearly $4 million for KU Medical Center
$10 million for demolition
$20 million for information technology and security improvements

Federal COVID-relief investments

$25 million for KU and Wichita State University for a shared health education building in Wichita
$75 million for economic development, to be matched 3 to 1
$35 million for KU economic development projects