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A Primer on the State Appropriation

Each year, the state’s funding from the appropriation is combined with resources provided by the university to provide $270+ million in tuition support for Pennsylvania residents.

A Primer on the State Appropriation

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A Primer on Temple’s Operating Budget.

The uncertainty of the appropriation, together with inflation and a decrease in enrollment, have combined to create a perfect storm of strain on the university’s budget.

Learn more about our sustainable path moving forward.

Budget Information Center

As a state-related institution without a large endowment, Temple’s operating budget—which finances the day-to-day, ongoing operations of the university—is almost entirely driven by tuition revenue. Examples of what is financed by the operating budget include departments, schools and colleges; student resources and services; libraries; campus operations and more. Compensation and benefits make up approximately 70% of the overall operating budget. 

One Temple Budget Model 

Temple University is taking a comprehensive, transparent and strategic approach to strengthening its long-term financial sustainability. Like many institutions of higher education, Temple is navigating complex financial challenges, including shifts in enrollment, rising costs, uncertainty in state and federal funding, and a structural imbalance between recurring revenues and expenses.

To address these challenges, the university is moving through a multiyear budget planning process focused on financial discipline, thoughtful resource allocation and continued investment in Temple’s core mission of student success, research, teaching, service and community impact.

This model is designed to better align resources with institutional priorities, support collaboration across schools, colleges and administrative units, strengthen transparency and accountability, and provide greater flexibility to invest in areas that advance Temple’s strategic plan, Forward with Purpose.

The budget process includes regular engagement with university leadership, deans, vice presidents, faculty, staff and shared governance groups.

    University Budget & Planning

    The Budget Office is responsible for the planning, implementation and administration of Temple University's operating budget. This entails the preparation and submission of the annual operating budget for Board of Trustees' approval and ensuring our financial resource decisions are aligned with the institution's defined strategic priorities and timeline. Additionally, the team is responsible for the preparation of the University's annual appropriation request to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

    Appropriation

    The appropriation helps to offset Temple’s education-related costs, so we can pass those savings on to Pennsylvania students in the form of lower tuition. The annual state appropriation supports Temple’s core educational mission and uses the state funds to pay for the necessary expenses to educate students. Pennsylvania currently ranks 46th in funding per student for state appropriations to public universities where college in PA costs 28.33% more than the national average cost of attendance at a public 4-year institution (see Education Data report). According to the Commonwealth Foundation, PA ranks 23rd nationally in grants per all college students; and ranks 43rd for total state funding per public university undergraduate student.  

    Temple has received annual base funding of $158.2 million each year since 2019, and these funds are key in allowing the university to keep tuition as low as possible for Pennsylvania residents. Thanks to the state appropriation, the university is able to offer more than $270 million in tuition support to Pennsylvania residents. As a result of the investment, Temple provides every undergraduate in-state resident with at least a $15,600 annual discount on tuition. 

    Tuition

    Temple approaches the tuition-setting process from the outset each year with a goal of keeping any increases as low as possible. That goal is dependent on a variety of factors, including enrollment estimates for resident and non-resident students; state appropriation; cost-saving opportunities; cost increases committed to labor contracts, and employee benefits. See the tuition calculator for a closer look.

     

    One Temple Budget Model

    Temple's budget model is structured to align resources with institutional priorities.

    Budget Model

    Right-to-Know Disclosure

    The Right-to-Know disclosure is required for all state-related universities to make budget and financial information available on this site.

    Right to Know Disclosures

    Updates on the Budget

    Academic Cost Analytics

    Explore course and instruction data insights (access credentials needed)

    data insights