Tuition rates at the University of Oregon could start rising faster than expected after projected budget shortfalls were announced this week during a meeting of the university’s board of trustees.
Jamie Moffitt, senior vice president for finance & administration and UO’s chief financial officer, presented financial projections for fiscal years 2024 to 2029. Moffit said current projections, based on orientation numbers and housing, see lower than expected out-of-state student enrollment for the 2024-25 school year.
She said UO’s targeted nonresident enrollment was 2,984 students, but enrollment believe the actual number of nonresident students this fall will be 2,536 — 448 under the target. Although this is a slight increase in out-of-state students compared to 2023-24, the university had counted on those additional tuition dollars. Projections in the coming years continue to see an upward trend in out-of-state enrollment, but not at the rate UO is targeting.
In-state student enrollment is increasing at a higher rate than expected — this year expecting 2,593 new students, compared to 2,181 targeted. Because in-state tuition is lower, a boost in enrollment would add some revenue, but it would not completely offset the decrease in out-of-state students.