FY26 Budget: Investing to Address Community Needs
The Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees approved a $1 billion all-funds revenue budget for fiscal year 2025-2026, which includes an operating budget of $558.9 million.
The approved budget, which supports a projected enrollment of 87,000 students for fall 2025, prioritizes student-focused strategies, high-quality faculty and staff retention, and the sustainability of core services to advance the district’s moonshot of ending poverty through education and training.
Significant enhancements that will support student success across the District include:
- New Strategic Investments
- Student-Focused Strategies
- Talent Strategies
- Core Services
New Strategic Investments
As part of the budget’s new strategic investments, the district will begin implementing two new academic schools: the School of Nursing, led by San Antonio College, and the School of Emerging Technologies, led by Northwest Vista College. These schools represent the first phase of the new Schools and Centers of Excellence framework, which brings together courses, programs, and industry partnerships to strengthen career pathways in high-wage, high-demand fields.
The School of Nursing aims to graduate up to 1,600 students annually by 2028, addressing healthcare needs in South and Central Texas. The School of Emerging Technologies will prepare students for careers in information technology and management, data analytics, simulation, and related areas as San Antonio’s innovation economy continues to grow. Three additional schools are planned for launch in fall 2026.
To maximize the impact and value of dual credit, the Alamo Colleges District is also strategically investing in partnerships that expand access and improve outcomes for high school students taking courses through one of the five Alamo Colleges. With more than 16,600 students currently enrolled in high school programs across the district, efforts like the new Dual Credit Faculty Expansion Pilot with St. Mary’s University reflect the district’s commitment to increasing pathways to postsecondary education, especially in schools and communities with the greatest need.
Student-Focused Strategies
AlamoPROMISE
The tuition-free AlamoPROMISE program now serves graduating high school students from more than 73 public, charter, private, and home schools across Bexar County. Since its launch, more than 23,000 students have enrolled through AlamoPROMISE. |
AlamoBOOKS+
AlamoBOOKS+, the district’s textbook affordability program, will continue to include high school program students in 2025-2026, ensuring access to course materials from day one. |
AlamoU
As of Spring 2025, AlamoU has enrolled 1,122 students in bachelor’s degree programs in nursing, operations management, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. |
Advocacy, Wellness 360, San Antonio Food Bank
Advocacy Centers at all five colleges provide wraparound services including food security through the San Antonio Food Bank, healthcare via UT Health San Antonio’s Wellness 360, and case management to help students stay on track. |
Talent Strategies
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The Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees is investing $20 million in talent strategies. This investment – which includes a 3% market rate increase and tuition reimbursement increase – reflects a commitment to building a competitive employee compensation program aligned with nationally recognized, high-performing community colleges. These talent strategies, aimed at retaining top faculty and staff, will begin on September 1, 2025. |
Core Services
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In addition to the investments in student success and talent, the Board of Trustees also invested in core services to support the following:
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For more information on the 2025-2026 revenue budget, watch the board meeting.