July 16, 2026
Colleges and universities are under increasing pressure to rethink costs, but many chief business officers say they lack the insight needed to make difficult decisions: Only 13 percent of CBOs say their institution understands per-student costs by program or activity very well, while relatively few institutions have undertaken major cost restructuring in recent years, finds the 16th annual Inside Higher Ed/Hanover Research Survey of College and University Chief Business Officers, out today (N=213). CBOs also identify academic programs, athletics, financial and discounting, and facilities as top sources of cost-revenue misalignment. Deferred maintenance remains widespread, with nearly half of CBOs reporting that their institution funds less than 10 percent of identified needs annually.
More on the Survey
On Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 2 p.m. Eastern, Inside Higher Ed will present a free webcast featuring expert panelists to discuss the survey findings and financial leadership in today’s rapidly shifting postsecondary landscape. Register for that conversation here, even if you can’t attend live.
Personnel costs also remain one of the most significant financial pressures facing colleges and universities, with nearly a third of CBOs (31 percent) saying health-care and retirement benefits place a great deal of pressure on financial sustainability.
