Wright State Board of Trustees approves balanced budget reflecting financial strength and stability

The Wright State University Board of Trustees approved a balanced university budget plan today that reflects the university’s fiscal strength, stability and commitment to continued investment in students and programs.

The fiscal year 2027 budget, approved unanimously on June 26, builds on Wright State’s momentum by continuing to invest in strategic priorities.

View the FY27 budget presentation (PDF).

Wright State President Sue Edwards said the budget reflects the university’s focus on student success, career preparation and meeting the needs of the region’s employers.

“This budget reflects our commitment to creating opportunities for our students and meaningful partnerships that drive economic growth throughout the region,” Edwards said. “We continue to invest in our people, programs and facilities to further strengthen Wright State.”

The university expects unrestricted revenue of approximately $371 million, including $68 million in state financial support, during fiscal year 2027, which runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

Unrestricted university expenditures are projected to be $371 million and include investments in program expansions and student success initiatives.

The budget presentation highlighted Wright State’s continued financial health, with university reserves growing from $106 million in fiscal year 2021 to more than $188 million at the end of fiscal year 2025.

And for the third consecutive year, the university received a perfect Senate Bill 6 composite score of 5.0, the highest score possible under Ohio’s financial health reporting system for public universities.

Beth Ferris, chair of the Finance, Audit, Governance and Compliance Committee, said the budget demonstrates the university’s continued commitment to responsible financial stewardship.

“The board is committed to ensuring Wright State remains financially strong and well-positioned to serve our students,” she said. “This budget supports the university’s strategic priorities while maintaining the fiscal responsibilities that students, families and taxpayers expect.”

John Thompson, interim chair of the Board of Trustees, pointed to Edwards’ focus on recruitment, retention and relationships as a driver of Wright State’s momentum.

“This university, under President Edwards’ leadership, continues to build on its recent successes by focusing on student success and prioritizing meaningful relationships with key stakeholders, including Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Premier Health and Dayton Children’s,” Thompson said.

Edwards expressed optimism for the upcoming academic year.

“The work of the last several years has put us in a position to focus on what matters most — our students, programs and partnerships that make this region thrive,” she said.

State capital funding supports campus improvements

Through Ohio’s capital budget, Wright State will receive nearly $12.4 million to support facility and infrastructure improvements and technology upgrades across its Dayton and Lake campuses. The projects will help modernize campus facilities, enhance safety and reliability and support academic, research and workforce development programs.

Wright State also received $450,000 in state funding to help preserve its Wright Brothers Collection, one of the world’s most extensive repositories of Wright family artifacts. The collection includes thousands of original photographs, documents and personal items that chronicle the lives and achievements of the Wright brothers and their family.

“These state investments will help ensure our students learn in safe, modern and innovative spaces while preserving the facilities that support our teaching, research and workforce development priorities,” Edwards said. “We are grateful for Ohio’s continued commitment to public higher education.”