UM-Flint FY 2027 Budget Highlights Strong Enrollment and Growth

UM-Flint’s Financial Prospects: A Bright Horizon for FY 2027

In a significant move reflecting robust enrollment growth, the University of Michigan-Flint (UM-Flint) is charting a promising fiscal future. The Board of Regents has approved a $151.7 million general fund budget for the fiscal year 2027, marking a milestone in the institution’s financial planning.

Starting on July 1, the new budget anticipates a state appropriation of $27 million, consistent with the previous year’s allocation. The final confirmation of this appropriation will occur once the state’s budget is finalized in the upcoming weeks.

The approved budget represents a $13.3 million increase from the previous fiscal year, translating to a 9.6% rise. This increase is attributed to UM-Flint’s thriving enrollment figures, which have been on an upswing for the past three years and are expected to continue this trend.

Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander noted, “This budget is a direct reflection of the confidence students and families are placing in a UM-Flint education. Enrollment growth of this magnitude creates real opportunity — to invest in our people, expand our academic offerings and ensure that the momentum we’ve built continues to benefit every member of our community.”

There will be a 4.1% rise in tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate students, bringing the cost to $8,135 per semester for the common lower-division rate. Graduate programs will experience a similar increase of 4% in tuition and fees.

The budget prioritizes several key areas including a salary program for faculty and staff, enhancements for academic programs, strategic planning, operational cost adjustments, infrastructure improvements, deferred maintenance, and the need for student aid.

“Our enrollment growth isn’t an accident — it’s the result of sustained investment in programs and people that serve our students well,” Alexander emphasized. “This budget lets us build on that foundation by supporting the faculty and staff who make UM-Flint exceptional, while positioning us to meet the needs of students in the years ahead.”

In addition to tuition changes, housing and meal plan rates at UM-Flint will rise by 5%. First Street Residence Hall, inclusive of the mandatory meal plan, will cost students at least $11,943 per year. Despite these increases, UM-Flint remains competitive by offering the fourth lowest tuition among Michigan’s 15 public universities and holding the lowest housing rates.

Chancellor Alexander reassured, “UM-Flint has always prioritized putting a world-class university education within reach for students from all walks of life. As we grow and invest in new opportunities, affordability and accessibility remain at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to the success of our students, our faculty and our staff — and this budget reflects that commitment.”