Murray State University’s projected tuition and fees shortfall for the current fiscal year is now lower than previous estimates due to an increase in enrollment.
Vice President of Finance and Administration Jackie Dudley told the Board of Regents on Friday the projected shortfall is now $3.3 million. “Now, that still is a shortfall but that is significantly different than what we were projecting earlier,” she said. Dudley had previously projected a $4.5 million shortfall in tuition and fees based on the current year budget.
She credited spring tuition and fees coming in somewhat higher than had been projected. The updated number is based on a “conservative forecast” for the Summer 1 (June) period.
“We’re living within our means right now,” Dudley said. She noted the university has a $2 million contingency in the budget that will help offset the shortfall.
The total preliminary spring enrollment headcount is 8,647 compared to 8621 last spring. While undergraduate enrollment is lower (7,350 compared to 7,361), there is an increase in graduate enrollment (1,297 compared to 1,260) and significantly higher dual enrollment (1,010 compared to 674).
