Concordia cuts expenses in face of $2 million budget shortfall

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – Concordia College is cutting its operating expenses in response to a projected $2 million budget deficit.

The college says the deficit is associated with a national decline in enrollment.

A Concordia spokesperson says departments have been directed to cut 5% of their operating expenses.

“Concordia is not immune to the challenges facing higher education. We are doing necessary work to strategically grow our way out of a historical deficit associated with a national decline in enrollment.”

At least one position was also cut. The head of the Campus Sustainability Office was eliminated.

“Though a position was eliminated, Concordia is fully committed to sustainability. Under the leadership of the college’s Sustainability Council, campus-wide initiatives will continue, as will the college’s academic offerings that strongly focus on environmental and sustainability issues.”

Concordia says that while its preliminary budget for 2025–2026 shows a projected $2 million gap, it is not unusual in this stage of their budgeting process.

The college plans to work over the summer to refine the budget, and that enrollment and expenses have yet to be finalized.