Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman proposes tuition increase for 2025-26 of 4 percent with an optional 1 percent additional

MADISON, Wis.—Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman today announced his proposal to increase tuition for resident undergraduates by up to 5 percent for the 2025-26 academic year.

Rothman’s proposal would increase tuition by 4 percent at all universities, with an optional 1 percent additional for a maximum of 5 percent. All universities except UW-Green Bay plan to adopt the additional 1 percent if the proposal is approved by the Board of Regents, which will consider the plan on July 10. Further, UW-River Falls is seeking an additional increase as part of an ongoing effort to support student success initiatives, which would bring its resident undergraduate increase to 5.8 percent.

“Preserving quality while maintaining our ability to be a leader on tuition affordability in the Midwest is a top priority,” Rothman said. “After a decade of a tuition freeze and lagging state aid, we believe we have struck a balance for students and families with this proposal and the recent state investments in the UWs as part of the 2025-27 biennial budget.”

The Regents’ vote on Rothman’s proposal comes after lawmakers and Gov. Tony Evers reached agreement on a new state budget for the next two years starting July 1. Under the budget, the UWs would receive a funding increase of about $256 million, much of which is dedicated to specific initiatives. State funding represents approximately one-fifth of the UWs’ total revenues.

Compared to UW comprehensive peers, resident undergraduate tuition increased just 7.7% during the 10-year period from 2015 to 2025—well below neighboring states, which ranged from increases of 21.7% to 28.8% during that same period.

“Thankfully, the Governor and legislature approved a significant budget increase, the largest in over two decades, which enables us to preserve access and affordability,” said Rothman. “Our public universities have become tuition-dependent due to lagging state funding in prior years, and the turnaround this budget cycle will help us continue providing educational opportunities to the next generation of Wisconsinites.”

Overall, the total proposed cost of attendance for resident undergraduates will increase an average of 3.8 percent when segregated fees and room and board costs are considered. The regents approved segregated fees in April.

Universities would increase nonresident undergraduate tuition by either the same percentage or same dollar amount as resident undergraduate tuition, under the proposal.

The proposed resident undergraduate tuition and segregated fees for each university in 2025-26 are as follows:

UW-Eau Claire: $10,067

UW-Green Bay: $8,985

UW-La Crosse: $10,360

UW-Madison: $12,166

UW-Milwaukee: $10,916

UW-Oshkosh: $8,993

UW-Parkside: $8,658

UW-Platteville: $8,812

UW-River Falls: $9,249

UW-Stevens Point: $9,477

UW-Stout: $9,859

UW-Superior: $9,272

UW-Whitewater: $8,819

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.