# UK sets $9.6B budget record, boosts pay and aid for 2026-27 **Published:** 2026-06-29T18:35:25.000Z **Source:** [University of Kentucky News](https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/uk-budget-expanding-jobs-healthcare-and-student-support-advance-kentucky) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/uk-sets-9-6b-budget-record-boosts-pay-and-aid-for-2026-27 LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky announced its largest budget in history at $9.6 billion for the 2026-27 fiscal year, reflecting continued expansion of its healthcare system alongside investments in student support and employee compensation, [according to the university](https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/uk-budget-expanding-jobs-healthcare-and-student-support-advance-kentucky). The budget positions UK to extend its role as a leading economic driver in the state through growth in education, research and healthcare. The university has added approximately 5,400 jobs over the past five years, bringing its workforce to more than 35,000 people. UK hospitals are treating tens of thousands more patients annually, with outpatient visits numbering in the millions in recent years. "While this is the largest budget in our institution's history, the numbers alone don't tell the story," said UK President Eli Capilouto. "What matters most is what those resources allow us to do — serve more students, care for more patients and strengthen communities across Kentucky." The university projects another incoming class of more than 6,000 students, with total enrollment exceeding 38,000. More than $190 million will be invested in scholarships and financial aid this year, with more than 90 percent of in-state undergraduate students receiving some form of grant or scholarship support. Tuition and mandatory fees will increase by less than 2 percent. The budget includes a 3 percent salary increase for eligible employees, with a minimum raise of $1,500. It marks the 13th year out of 14 that some increase in compensation has been funded for UK employees. The budget also includes additional funding for employee health benefits to help reduce costs for faculty and staff. "Nothing is more important to Kentucky's future than the success of our students," Capilouto said. "We are committed to making a UK education accessible and preparing graduates for careers that strengthen our state." ## Sources - [University of Kentucky News](https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/uk-budget-expanding-jobs-healthcare-and-student-support-advance-kentucky) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from University of Kentucky News, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/uk-budget-expanding-jobs-healthcare-and-student-support-advance-kentucky.