Higher education investment and medical school expansion
Tennessee's FY26-27 budget includes $350 million for a new College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, $71.7 million for capital maintenance at higher education institutions, and $39.4 million to fully fund the outcomes-based higher education funding formula. These investments come amid broader debates about the value and affordability of higher education in the state.
Should Tennessee increase state investment in higher education facilities and funding formulas?
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Sources
State Rep. Ron Gant — https://tnhousegop.org/member-newsroom/2026/04/state-rep-ron-gants-capitol-report-april-17-2026
$350 million for a new College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis; $71.7 million for capital maintenance at higher education institutions; $39.4 million to fully fund the outcomes-based funding formula
114th Tennessee General Assembly — https://bassberry.com/news/2026-legislative-recap-114th-tennessee-general-assembly-second-session
$350 million for the construction of a new College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Substantially increase higher education funding, reduce tuition, and expand need-based grants for students statewide.
- Increase investment in higher ed beyond current levels and tie funding to affordability benchmarks for students.
- Maintain the current investment trajectory, including the medical building and outcomes-based funding formula.
- Focus higher ed spending on workforce-aligned programs and reduce funding for institutions with poor job outcomes.
- Reduce state higher education subsidies and shift more cost to students and institutions to promote market efficiency.