UNIVERSITY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
UPEI Board of Governors approves balanced student-centric budget

On May 27, 2025, the UPEI Board of Governors approved a balanced operating budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, despite a challenging financial environment primarily caused by federal immigration policy changes. The operating budget is just under $202.9 million, representing an increase of $20.4 million or 11.2 per cent over the previous fiscal year.

"We are at a particular time in the history of the University where, in addition to the typical budget pressures like inflation, we are being challenged by federal immigration policies, which have negatively affected universities across the country," said Dr. Wendy Rodgers, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor. "Many thanks to the University leadership, our broader community and partners, such as the Government of Prince Edward Island, for ongoing support in our efforts to enhance our student experience, our campus culture, and our academic and financial sustainability."

UPEI has been and continues to be significantly impacted by policy changes implemented by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2024 that places caps on international student enrolment by province. At UPEI, first-year international enrolment decreased by approximately 50 per cent in 2024-2025 and is also projected to decline in 2025-2026.

Despite facing a revenue-expense gap due to the decrease in international enrolment, the University remains committed to fulfilling its academic mission, implementing the UPEI Action Plan, and supporting a strong student experience. Therefore, UPEI focused on both short-term and longer-term fiscal strategies when developing the 2025-2026 budget plan. These strategies, which include a 3.5 per cent increase to the provincial government's core operating grant and increases to tuition, allowed UPEI to balance its budget while avoiding severe program restrictions or position reductions like those experienced at other institutions.

While domestic tuition fees at UPEI and the Atlantic Veterinary College will increase by 6.5 per cent for the 2025-2026 academic year, UPEI continues to have the lowest domestic undergraduate tuition fees in the region according to the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission. The tuition increase for undergraduate programs will be $46 per 3-semester-hour credit course (or $460 for a full-time student taking a full course load). The annual tuition for domestic undergraduate students will increase to $7,630. International fees will increase by 7.5 per cent or $630 for full-time undergraduate students. A portion of these fees will fund an emergency bursary for international students.

"I want to thank everyone who was involved in the development of this year's budget," added Tim Walker, Vice-President Administration and Finance. "Through budget strategies developed collaboratively and transparently with University leaders, and with support from the Government of Prince Edward Island, we have achieved a balanced budget for 2025-2026."

Highlights

• The operating budget is just under $202.9 million, representing an increase of $20.4 million or 11.2 per cent.
• Faculty and staff play a pivotal role in achieving UPEI's academic mission. Salaries and benefits ($145.8 million) are the largest components of the University's expenditures (representing over 70 per cent).
• Thirty-one per cent of UPEI's revenues come from student tuition and fees; 51 per cent is provided by the Government of Prince Edward Island and other partners.
• In 2025-2026, the unrestricted operating grant provided by the Government of PEI for UPEI's central campus (excluding the Atlantic Veterinary College) will increase by 3.5 per cent ($1.5 million).
• In 2025-2026, the four Atlantic Provinces will jointly provide $27.2 million in operating funds for the Atlantic Veterinary College (i.e., 13.4 per cent of its operating budget).
• In 2025-2026, the Faculty of Medicine will receive $22.5 million as a restricted operating grant from the Government of PEI, an increase of $12.8 million.