Bow Valley College Board Approves Balanced Budget with Security and Modest Growth

April 29, 2026 (Calgary, AB) – Despite headwinds facing post-secondary institutions, Bow Valley College’s Board of Governors has approved a balanced budget for 2026–27, while investing in new positions in health and other areas.

The budget finds revenue up 5% overall from last year while covering a 15% decrease in international student enrolment. The budget sets a target of 5% increase in domestic enrolment for the fiscal year, which would achieve 8,175 Full Load Equivalents (FLEs).

Following a comprehensive, college-wide review of budget efficiencies, operational effectiveness, and net-revenue opportunities, the college community worked diligently over recent months to reach a sustainable budget that protects jobs: there will be no layoffs. Instead, the budget invests in new positions in health and other strategic priority areas, with further details to be outlined in the upcoming 2026–27 Annual Business Plan.

“The overall budget is a good-news budget focused on major projects, stabilizing our digital transformation, and growing domestic student enrolment. There will be no layoffs. Instead, this budget represents an investment in our employees — with new positions tied to our business priorities and strategic plan.”

— Dr. Misheck Mwaba, P.Eng, President & CEO, Bow Valley College

Adding further stability, the Ministry of Advanced Education announced in February a 2.4% increase to Bow Valley College’s base operating grant — rising from $38.8 million to $39.7 million for 2026–27. Together, enrolment growth and net-revenue generating initiatives will help offset tuition caps and future-proof the college against ongoing economic and political uncertainty.

On the expenditure side, the budget includes compensation increases for employees, while non-compensation expenses are down 11%, largely due to the completion of major digital transformation projects. The 2026–27budget advances key strategic initiatives including the Health Care Centre of Excellence business case submission to the Government of Alberta, a degree-granting status application with Campus Alberta Quality Council (CAQC),and completion of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Human Resources Information System (HRIS), and Student Information System (SIS) implementation.

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