A new Inside Higher Ed/Hanover Research survey of 213 chief business officers finds cost understanding and restructuring remain uneven across colleges. Only 13% of CBOs say their institutions understand per-student costs by program or activity “very well,” while deferred maintenance funding is notably low—nearly half of respondents say less than 10% of identified needs are funded annually. CBOs also identify recurring cost-revenue misalignment drivers, including academic programs, athletics, financial aid and discounting, and facilities. On financial pressures, personnel costs stand out, with 31% citing health-care and retirement benefits as a major sustainability strain. On AI, 57% of CBOs say it helps with more informed decision-making, but far fewer report institutional efficiency gains or stronger student support. The survey’s findings point to a need for deeper financial analytics and governance buy-in before universities undertake structural change.