University of Wisconsin Board of Regents Approves Increase in Tuition Fees

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MADISON, WI- The University of Wisconsin System will be raising tuition, fees, room and board rates for students starting this fall, following the approval of a proposal by system President Jay Rothman. The Board of Regents voted in favor of the proposal during a meeting at UW-Stout, marking the first tuition increase since Republican legislators lifted an eight-year freeze on rates in 2021. The regents did not impose any increases last year as the state was recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rising inflation, more expensive food contracts, increasing utility costs, construction projects, and unfunded pay plans are some of the reasons cited by Rothman for the increase in costs. Additionally, the state budget proposal for 2023-2025 would leave the system with a shortfall of $130 million over the next two years.

However, not all regents were in agreement with Rothman’s proposal. Regent Rodney Pasch cast the lone dissenting vote, stating that the increase was too much for students who are already struggling and will have to work more hours, dip into savings, or go into debt to meet the rising costs. Pasch added that raising tuition is not a good move when more people are questioning the value of a college degree.

Under the plan, the average annual cost for most in-state undergraduate students living on four-year campuses will increase by 4.2%, or around $706 per year. The average annual cost at the system’s two-year schools will increase by 6.3%, or around $329 per year. Out-of-state undergraduate students will also see an increase in tuition rates, with the highest increase at UW-River Falls at $822 per year and the lowest increase at UW-Milwaukee at $498 per year.