University of Jyväskylä financial statements and annual report for 2025: success in research and education, planning for university consortium begins
The University of Jyväskylä maintained a strong performance in competitive research funding. The University performed well, for example, in funding calls by the Research Council of Finland, the main domestic funding body, as well as in Business Finland’s new research-oriented Rise to Challenge (Näytönpaikka) call.
The total number of completed degrees was 3,497, representing an increase from the previous year, with growth observed across all degree levels. In continuous learning, the University maintained its strong national standing in open higher education.
Finances on a balanced path
The Board of the University of Jyväskylä approved the financial statements and annual report of 2025 of the consortium on 27 March 2026. The financial statements and annual report are subject to approval by the University Collegium at their meeting on 28 April 2026.
The University’s financial results for the financial year are very much in line with those of 2024. The financial performance corresponds well with the overall budget.
The University’s revenue for the financial year was €255 million, representing an increase of 4% compared to the previous year. Operating costs also increased by 4%. The operating result after operating expenses was a deficit of €2.8 million (€2.6 million in 2024). State funding received by the University increased by €8 million and supplementary funding also continued to rise, growing by €2 million from the previous year. The share of supplementary funding of revenue has remained fairly stable in recent years. Competitive research funding increased to €47.8 million. This represents an increase of €2.5 million compared to the previous financial year. The largest project funders continue to be the Research Council of Finland, the Ministry of Education and Culture, and the European Commission, together with other EU funding. The competitive research funding included in the funding model of the Ministry of Education and Culture accounts for more than half (55%) of the total supplementary funding.
The overall result was a surplus of €19.3 million (€6.3 million in 2024), primarily due to a significant realization within investment activities. The most significant impact on the investment result came from the sale of the insurance-wrapped investment portfolio. The one-time realization of this portfolio contributed €12.2 million to the investment result, while the remaining investment activities contributed €9.4 million, which is very close to the result of the previous financial year (€8.4 million).
The overall result, including investment assets, is clearly in surplus, meaning the University’s balance sheet is strengthening.
The University’s personnel costs increased by €6.9 million, that is, 4% from the previous year. The increase in staff is reflected in the total salary expenditure in addition to salary increases under the collective agreement; similarly, the doctoral education pilot programme launched in autumn 2024 is now fully reflected in the figures. Personnel costs again accounted for 68.4% of the University’s total costs. The facilities programme reduced rental costs by €1.2 million, but in the largest categories of other expenses, costs again rose to levels prior to or even higher than the financial adjustment programme as a result of revenue growth.
Building attractive higher education institutions
In early 2025, the University of Jyväskylä and the City of Jyväskylä decided to launch a study on expanding the ownership base of Jamk University of Applied Sciences and signed a letter of intent regarding the matter. On 22 December 2025, a deed of sale was signed, through which the City of Jyväskylä, the City of Jämsä, and the Äänekoski Federation of Municipalities for Vocational Education sold a total of 97 shares of Jamk University of Applied Sciences to the University of Jyväskylä. The transaction was completed in January 2026.
As a consequence of the ownership restructuring, the University owns approximately 61% of the share capital of Jamk University of Applied Sciences, and the City of Jyväskylä 39%. Effective 5 January 2026, Jamk transferred from the City of Jyväskylä to become part of the University of Jyväskylä consortium.
“The consortium collaboration between the University and the University of Applied Sciences is expected to strengthen the appeal of the Jyväskylä Universities, improve RDI cooperation with companies, and deliver more cost-effective solutions, for example, in services and infrastructure,” says Rector Jari Ojala. “Once implemented, these measures will also have a positive impact on the University’s funding outlook and finances more broadly.”
