MoWest could lose $6 million in state funding with Missouri House Budget Committee’s proposal

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KQTV) — If the Missouri Budget Committee's proposal gets through the House and Senate, Missouri Western State University could lose about $6 million in state funding under the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget.

The Missouri House Budget Committee approved a bill on March 12 that would tie state funding for public universities and colleges to their student enrollment numbers.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe recommended $27.2 million to Missouri Western for FY 2027. However, under House Bill 2003, the budget committee recommends the university receive approximately $21.12 million.

In fall 2024, Missouri Western reported a total enrollment of 3,726. The previous fall, enrollment was 3,674, according to data from the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.

For comparison, Northwest Missouri State was allocated $38.1 million by Missouri's governor, but the budget committee recommends Northwest receive $48.27 million. According to data, the Bearcats had a total of enrollment of 9,152 in the fall of 2024. As for last fall, Northwest had an enrollment of 8,746.

HB 2003 passed out of committee with 19 ayes, 9 noes, and 3 present votes. The bill must still be approved by the full House before moving to the Senate for further consideration.