Cape Breton University to cut 50 jobs amid declining international enrolment

A sign for Cape Breton University is pictured on July 15, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Darryl Reeves)

Cape Breton University (CBU) is cutting another 50 jobs and raising tuition for out-of-province students after losing an estimated $77 million in revenue over the last three years.

CBU says the financial impact is largely due to the decline in international student enrolment brought on by the federal government’s cap on immigration, which the university says is creating “significant enrollment pressure.”

CBU’s board of governors approved a $90-million operating budget for the 2026-2027 school year last week, which shows the school had to go into its reserve funding to balance the books while also cutting jobs and raising tuition.

The 50 job cuts follow more than 110 cuts the Sydney-based school announced last year.

“Despite these efforts, approximately 50 additional positions will be impacted this year as the university adjusted to a smaller enrolment base, ” said CBU in a news release. “Given the financial realities, tuition adjustments are also necessary and will take affect for the upcoming academic year.”

CBU will increase tuition for all students coming from outside Nova Scotia:

• three per cent tuition increase for most professional programs like Bachelor of Science Nursing, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Social Work
• five per cent tuition increase for undergraduate programs
• five per cent increase to international student differential fee

CBU says it has revised its enrolment targets to allow for approximately 3,500 students. It notes students from Nova Scotia won’t be impacted by the tuition changes.

“While these are difficult decisions, our responsibility is to ensure long-term health and sustainability of the university,” said CBU president and vice-chancellor David Dingwall in the release. “None of these choices were made lightly. Our focus remains on supporting our students, our people and the communities we serve.”

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