KU secures best higher education budget in years

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