NSCAD University’s Board of Governors has approved the university’s 2026-27 operating budget, a financial plan that maintains academic programs and student-facing services while addressing ongoing financial pressures facing the institution and the advanced education sector.
The budget projects revenues of $20.1 million and expenditures of $22.1 million, resulting in a projected deficit of $1.996 million, which will be funded through the university’s operating reserve.
The projected deficit reflects external pressures beyond the university’s control, including changes to international student policy and the loss of $360,000 in provincial facilities funding received in the previous fiscal year, alongside rising operating costs and increased demands on university resources.
The budget was developed with NSCAD’s Budget Advisory Committee (BAC), which includes student, staff and faculty representation, and was reviewed by the Board’s Financial and Physical Resources Committee prior to approval.
“Like many universities across Canada, NSCAD continues to operate in a challenging financial environment,” says Leanne Dowe, Chief Financial Officer. This budget reflects those realities while maintaining our commitment to students, preserving academic programs, and continuing to invest in the supports and services that contribute to student success.”
To minimize the impact of ongoing financial pressures, the budget also includes a range of cost-management measures, including reduced discretionary spending, travel restrictions, careful management of vacancies, and deferred non-essential expenditures, while protecting academic programs and student-facing services.
Maintaining staff levels in academic and student-facing areas was also a priority. As a university, the majority of operating costs are people-related, and staffing remains essential to delivering high-quality education, student support services and university operations.
The budget includes continued investment in accessibility and student support initiatives, including a new Accessibility Advisor position funded through provincial accessibility funding. Despite ongoing financial pressures, the university has continued to prioritize services that support student success, wellbeing and accessibility.
As a specialized art and design university, NSCAD’s studio-based educational model requires dedicated facilities, specialized equipment, technical support and smaller class sizes that are essential to hands-on learning. While these distinctive features define the student experience, they also create a cost structure that differs from larger, lecture-based universities and limit opportunities to achieve the same economies of scale.
“Throughout the budget process, our priority was to protect the student experience while managing resources responsibly,” says Dowe. “The budget balances immediate financial realities with the need to continue supporting students and advancing the university’s long-term sustainability goals.”
The university continues to pursue a range of strategies to address structural financial challenges, including strategic enrolment growth, operational efficiencies, government advocacy and the exploration of additional revenue opportunities.
More Budget Highlights
Other highlights from the 2026-27 budget include:
- No reductions to academic programs or student-facing services
- New Accessibility Advisor position funded through provincial accessibility funding
- No increase to undergraduate tuition for Nova Scotia students
- Tuition increases of 3% for domestic out-of-province, international and graduate students
- Annual CPI-based inflationary adjustments to technology, facilities, student services and Career and Experiential Learning Centre fees
- Increased rental revenue as the university works toward full occupancy of available rental space
- Continued implementation of the university’s strategic enrolment plan, with a focus on sustainable growth and student retention
The Board and university leadership remain committed to working with students, employees, government and community partners to support NSCAD’s long-term sustainability and continued contribution to Nova Scotia’s creative and cultural sector.
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Erin MacDonald
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NSCAD University
902-494-8168