BU hikes tuition for 2026-27

Brandon University’s Board of Governors has approved increases in tuition fees for both domestic and international students for the 2026-27 academic year.

Under the approved budget, domestic tuition fees will increase by four per cent — the maximum increase permitted by the Manitoba government — while international student tuition fees will rise by six per cent.

Brandon University Students’ Union president Tosin Salau said the tuition increases come at a difficult time for many students already grappling with rising living expenses.

“When prices go up, fewer people use that product,” Salau told the Sun. “In isolation, it may seem like a small increase, but when you consider the cost of living and other expenses students face, it becomes a major increase.”

Salau said there are concerns that higher tuition costs could affect both student recruitment and retention, particularly among international students. He said many international students already face significant financial pressures, including limited work opportunities and additional costs not always fully covered by insurance.

“With the price still going up, it will definitely affect those that are already here and may discourage some prospective international students from choosing Brandon University or even Canada,” he said in an interview.

While acknowledging that the university may be facing financial pressures, Salau said the students’ union continues to advocate for affordability and increased public investment in post-secondary education.

“No one absolutely wants that increase,” he said. “Students want to see more investment in education from the government rather than putting more pressure on students to pay more every year.”

To help students manage rising costs, Salau said the students’ union continues to offer support such as workshops on scholarships and employment opportunities, as well as services including the Campus Cupboard, which provides groceries and other necessities at reduced prices.

University officials maintain that balancing affordability with financial sustainability remains a challenge.

Vice-president (administration and finance) Peter Hickey said affordability remains a serious concern for many students and families, and it is an important part of the university’s decision‑making process.

“At the same time, the university is experiencing rising costs related to inflation, staffing, maintenance and program delivery,” he told the Sun. “Balancing these realities responsibly is necessary to ensure we can continue providing a strong educational experience while remaining accessible to students.”

Hickey said that while Manitoba continues to have some of the lowest university tuition rates in Canada, ongoing collaboration between the province and post-secondary institutions is necessary to ensure universities remain financially sustainable while maintaining quality and accessibility.

The budget also projects changes in student enrolment, with increases expected among domestic students and continued declines among international students.

According to the budget, undergraduate enrolment is expected to grow by seven per cent among Indigenous domestic students and by five per cent among other domestic students. However, overall international enrolment is projected to decline by 13.5 per cent because of ongoing federal study permit restrictions, resulting in an estimated loss of $456,000 in tuition revenue.

University spokesperson Grant Hamilton said the institution anticipates international enrolment will continue to decrease as existing students graduate and federal policy changes limit the number of new international students entering Canada.

“These expectations are already built into the budget projections for future years,” Hamilton told the Sun. “Frankly, at this point, much of the impact from declining international enrolment has already been felt. BU is somewhat insulated from the worst of the impacts because we did not build our budget to rely on extreme international enrolments in the first place.”

Hamilton described the projected growth in Indigenous student enrolment as a significant positive development for the university.

“Indigenous students have been one of our fastest-growing demographics,” he said.

The university has expanded support services, including the Indigenous Student Transition Program, Indigenous counselling services and the Indigenous student success officer position. The university is also continuing investments in initiatives such as the Indigenous Peoples’ Centre, Hamilton said.

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

» X: @AbiolaOdutola