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The exterior of Dallas College’s El Centro Campus in downtown Dallas on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025.<\/p>\n
Juan Figueroa\/Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a tough budget season for community colleges in Texas.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Out of the three main sources of revenue for community colleges \u2014 state funding, tuition, and property taxes \u2014 two of them have taken hits this budget season. The state suddenly cut funding for community colleges<\/a> across the board, and Gov. Greg Abbott kept tuition frozen this year<\/a>, limiting two major funding blocks for colleges. North Texas community colleges are no exception.<\/p>\n Combined, state funding and tuition make up nearly 40% of Dallas College<\/a>\u2019s revenue and over 30% of Tarrant County College\u2019s revenue.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n North Texas colleges have managed to work around them by finding creative revenue sourcing and cutting corners without touching the core of the operation: teaching and learning.<\/p>\n What challenges do community colleges face?<\/p>\n This year, the state is cutting funding because, ironically, community colleges are performing too well. When Texas overhauled its community college funding model in 2023, it hinged funds on outcomes \u2014 things like credentials earned and transfers to four-year schools \u2014 rather than enrollment.\u00a0<\/p>\n Except, community college outcomes far exceeded initial projections, and the state can no longer afford the original financing model. To keep community colleges within budget, the state\u2019s higher education board last month decreased funding weights for academically and economically disadvantaged students, as well as adult learners over age 25.\u00a0<\/p>\n Statewide, community colleges saw a 6.5% dip in public dollars, but changes differ across schools. Dallas College will lose about 3% in state funds, and Tarrant County College will lose over 6%.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Related: Dallas College sets the scene for ‘Y’allywood’ with new virtual film soundstage<\/a><\/p>\n Despite the cuts, community college leaders assured state lawmakers in July that this was a \u201ctemporary blip,\u201d and funding will level off as the state readjusts its formula.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were excited about [outcome funding],\u201d said Pam Anglin, chief financial officer of Tarrant County College. \u201cThis was a win for everyone, the residents of Texas, the state, everyone. \u2026 but it’s time that we make some tweaks to the formula so that the state can continue to fund the outcomes and there’s no disincentive for the colleges.\u201d<\/p>\n In contrast, Collin College will actually see more state funding next year, to the tune of $4 million \u2014 a 7% increase \u2014 that spokesperson Griselda Perez attributed to growing population and increased student success. In 2025, Collin College awarded over 10,000 credentials, nearly double from five years earlier.<\/p>\n Related: How Dallas is building a path to a living-wage future<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Community colleges are also feeling the impact of frozen tuition. In May, Abbott renewed his tuition freeze for the fourth consecutive year, promising to keep college affordable. For colleges facing stagnant or declining enrollment, frozen tuition means lost revenue.<\/p>\n Dallas College finds alternate revenue sources<\/p>\n Despite the tuition freeze, Dallas College\u2019s tuition revenue grew by 4% due to increasing enrollment. Combined with more property tax revenue and \u201cnon-traditional\u201d funding sources, the school is on track to have a balanced budget of $777 million in the next fiscal year, only a 0.8% difference from this year.<\/p>\n Related: Dallas College unveils plans, names developer for new downtown El Centro campus<\/a><\/p>\n