MORGANTOWN — The West Virginia University Board of Governors has adopted a $1.29-billion spending plan for the upcoming 2026 fiscal year.

As has been the trend, enrollment numbers and tuition rates continue to creep in opposite directions.

The budget anticipates collecting $550,493,000 in tuition and fees in the coming year based on the following per-semester tuition rates: $5,376 for in-state undergraduate (up $324); $15,216 for non-resident undergraduate (up $912); $6,066 for in-state graduate (up $360) and $15,714 for non-resident graduate (up $945).

Tuition increases will also be implemented for the various offerings at both WVU Potomac State College in Keyser and the WVU Institute of Technology in Beckley.

The university expects to provide just under $128.5 million in merit- and need-based allowances, bringing net tuition and fee revenues to $421,995,000.

University housing rates will see increases ranging from $122 to $234 per semester for the main campus, and ranging from $68 to $127 per semester for regional campuses.

Dining rates will climb between $8 and $77 per semester on the main campus, depending on the plan. Dining rates will also increase at Potomac State College ($11-$114) and WVUIT ($9-$82) based on selected options.

Across all three campuses, the university is anticipating total system-wide enrollment of 24,527 students, including 1,024 in Beckley, 890 in Keyser and 22,613 in Morgantown.

Morgantown is expected to see 4,400 incoming freshmen, 13,145 returning undergrads and 5,068 graduate students.

According to the WVU Office of Data and Analytics, there were 29,107 students system-wide in fall 2020, including 26,269 at WVU Morgantown. In fall 2024, the numbers were 25,998 and 23,643, respectively.

On the expense side, WVU anticipates spending $776,336,000 on salaries, wages and benefits, and another $265,338,000 on supplies and services.

The university has budgeted just under $76 million in capital expenditures for the upcoming year, including $18.7 million for facilities and equipment and $18.4 million in deferred maintenance. The relocation of the University Police Department is budgeted at just over $5 million.

All told, the WVU system includes 518 buildings on 15,880 acres. The Morgantown campus includes 245 buildings on 1,892 acres.