HUNTINGTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Marshall University Board of Governors on Wednesday approved a 2.5% tuition increase for West Virginia undergraduate and graduate students for the upcoming academic year.
Tuition for metro, non-resident, and international students will remain unchanged.
Students will also see slight increases in housing and dining costs, with rates rising by 2.6% and 4% respectively. In addition, small increases will be applied to capital and auxiliary fees.
The board also gave the green light to the university’s FY 2026 budget, which includes adjustments to address current economic conditions.
Marshall University President Brad D. Smith addressed the board about the need for proactive financial planning.
“As I’ve shared in recent updates, the external environment – including federal and state policy shifts, budget uncertainties, and operational headwinds – continues to evolve,” Smith said.
“President John F. Kennedy once said, ‘The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.‘ The sun is still shining on Marshall. That’s why, following extensive preparation and scenario planning, we’ve made the decision to enact the 4% reduction scenario in our budget for FY26. This is a scenario we foreshadowed in December and asked our campus to be ready for, and now we will move forward with it.”
As part of planning for the future, the board also approved four new academic programs, including a master’s degree in library science — the first of its kind in West Virginia.
Academic officials noted that external demand studies show strong interest from students and employers alike.
The meeting also featured moments of recognition.
Marshall University Police Officer Chase Poore received a standing ovation for his heroic actions during a recent late-night apartment fire in Huntington.
Poore, who was off duty and walking his dog at the time, spotted the fire and quickly acted to alert residents, an effort officials say saved lives.
Board members also thanked former Board of Governors chair Patrick Farrell, who resigned after being elected Mayor of Huntington.
Avinandan “Avi” Mukherjee, senior vice president and provost, was acknowledged for his service to the university. He will leave in June to take a similar role at Georgia Southern University.
