Regents approve UWs tuition increases for 2025-26 (news summary)

Thursday, July 10, 2025

The Board of Regents for the Universities of Wisconsin today unanimously approved a tuition increase of up to 5 percent for the 2025-26 academic year.

Tuition will increase by 4 percent at all universities, with an optional 1 percent additional for a maximum of 5 percent (an average $382 increase). All universities except UW-Green Bay plan to adopt the additional 1 percent. As part of the proposal, UW-River Falls further sought an additional increase as part of an ongoing effort to support student success initiatives, which brings its resident undergraduate increase to 5.8 percent.

“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,” said UWs President Jay Rothman.

The Regents’ vote on the tuition proposal came 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 about 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 the same period.

Overall, the total proposed cost of attendance for resident undergraduates will increase an average of 3.8 percent (or $682) 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 approved proposal.

Regents discussed the connection between the increase in state funding and raising tuition.

Regent Ashok Rai, chair of the Business & Finance committee which discussed the budget proposal more fully earlier in the day, said Regents are thankful for the state’s investment but there nonetheless remains a gap between that funding and the UWs’ ability to address the cumulative impacts of inflation and the ongoing need for the UWs to cover 30% of any compensation increases for faculty and staff.

“The proposed tuition rates will ensure that UWs remain affordable compared to our neighboring peers,” he said.

Regents approve preliminary annual operating budget

The Board also approved the preliminary annual operating budget for the Universities of Wisconsin for 2025-26.

The preliminary budget approved by the Regents is the starting point for fiscal year 2025-26. There will be changes that incorporate new revenue provided in the State of Wisconsin’s 2025-27 biennial budget, enacted just last week. There may also be changes necessary to reflect actions taken by the federal government. An updated budget reflecting these changes will be presented to the Board of Regents for consideration and approval at a future date.

A key takeaway from the budget is the fact that going into FY26, no UW university is projecting a structural deficit for 2025-26 in its General Purpose Revenue/tuition fund, the primary fund for supporting the UW’s educational mission. That’s down from 10 of 13 with structural deficits in the 2023-24 budget, and six in 2024-25.

“We have to give credit to campuses who have had to make really difficult decisions to get their structural deficits eliminated,” Rothman told the Business & Finance committee. “I want to congratulate our chancellors, our CBOs, and our leadership at our campuses for the great work they have done. It has not been easy.”

The UWs’ preliminary annual operating budget projects total revenues of approximately $7.0 billion, down nearly 11.4% from 2024-25, while total expenditures are also projected to be $7.0 billion, down 11.8% from the prior year. The declines in both revenues and expenses are primarily due to the transition to accrual accounting and budgeting with the Workday implementation and the anticipated changes within federal programs.

GPR/tuition expenditures are estimated to increase by $215.0 million. The increased expenditures are primarily due to salaries, fringe benefits, and inflationary costs. Planned use of one-time tuition balances is $11.1 million. The increase in GPR/tuition revenue is due to resident, non-resident, and additional tuition rate increases at all UW universities., enrollment growth primarily at UW-Madison, and additional GPR dedicated to employee compensation and fringe benefits.

Regent President’s Report

In her report to the Board, Regent President Amy Bogost noted that the recently signed Wisconsin biennial budget “represents a historic and unprecedented investment in the Universities of Wisconsin.”

“However, as we are aware, this victory comes with strings attached,” Bogost said, adding that the final budget package includes significant policy requirements including a mandated teaching workload, a continuation of the cap on state-funded positions, the implementation of a standardized systemwide transfer credit policy, and new faculty workload reporting requirements.

“These conditions will require careful planning, clear communication, and continued partnership with our faculty, academic staff, chancellors, and other campus leaders,” she said. “It is incumbent upon us to balance the accountability expected by the Legislature with our commitment to academic quality, shared governance, and the values of our Universities.”

Bogost also reported on recent consultations with Wisconsin’s Tribal leaders to help shape a 2025-26 Workplan. Discussions included improving Native American student data collection, developing a systemwide Native student recruitment strategy, initiation of a pilot program with UW-Eau Claire to have a tuition remission program for students who are enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe in Wisconsin, increasing financial affordability and expanding support for adult learners and tribal workforce development, and overall strengthening relationships with Wisconsin’s Tribal Colleges.

Turning to potentially significant federal research disruptions, Bogost noted the deep impact of these cuts. She pointed to the loss of a $10 million NIH-funded study at UW-Madison focused on how social media affects youth mental health.

“The cancellation of this and other grants has raised urgent concerns from faculty and administrators about the integrity of academic freedom and the increasing politicization of federal research priorities,” she said.

“International collaborations have been discouraged, and visa challenges have drastically reduced the flow of international grad students, who make up a substantial portion of our STEM pipeline,” Bogost said. “These actions threaten the core of the American research enterprise, upending decades of bipartisan consensus and placing universities at the center of a growing ideological battle.”

UWs President’s Report

In his regular report to the Board, President Rothman reiterated that the $256 million increase in the UWs’ biennial operating budget is the largest increase in support for the universities in over two decades. “We are grateful to the Governor for his steadfast championing of the UWs – and greatly appreciate the work of legislative leadership on both sides of the aisle in a clear recognition that in the UWs, Wisconsin has an extraordinary asset that can benefit everyone’s future,” he said.

Rothman also offered thanks to the more than 850 supporters from around the state who signed a letter to help the UWs advocate for funding.

There are several key areas of funding support in the budget:

  • $53 million to provide operating support for the UWs with aid distributed based on enrollment, full-time equivalent students, and student credit hours
  • $54 million to recruit and retain faculty in high-demand areas
  • $94 million in wage increases, including a general wage adjustment of 3% and 2% over the biennium
  • $64 million in standard budget adjustments
  • $7 million for 24/7 telehealth mental health services

Rothman added that the $840 million capital investment includes the UWs’ top two major project requests: UW-La Crossse’s Prairie Springs and UW-Milwaukee’s Health Sciences building.

“We know there is a lot of work to do yet, but I believe we are headed in the right direction,” Rothman said.

Regarding the changes called for under the terms of the budget, including the credit hour teaching loads, Rothman said, “This is a complex and nuanced area, and we will need to work hard to ensure our universities have the means necessary to attract and retain great faculty and instructional staff.”

He told Regents he’d recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation where he discussed concerns with H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and any actions that would negatively impact student access, success, or the UWs’ ability to serve the citizens of Wisconsin.

There are three main areas of potential concern on the federal front: reductions to federal financial aid for students; reduction in federal indirect payments related to research; and reduced federal grants and funding for research.

“I will continue to actively engage with our delegation, our national associations, and our higher education partners to make sure we do not narrow the funnel to higher education,” Rothman said.

Board welcomes new colleague

The Board welcomed new Regent Sara Rogers. Rogers was elected earlier this week as the new president of the Wisconsin Technical College System board, succeeding Mark Tyler. She is a planning and policy analyst with Employ Milwaukee, the Workforce Development Board representing Milwaukee County.

Rogers earned a B.A. from UW-Milwaukee and has spent her career in public or non-profit service, dedicated to economic and social justice.

In other business, the Regents:

  • Approved UW-Madison’s request for a Bachelor of Arts/Science in Public Policy. The program was developed in response to student demand, as evidenced by enrollment in certificate programs, and at competitor institutions nationwide. Graduates will be prepared with marketable skills for diverse professional careers across multiple sectors, while offering the academic rigor to compete for slots in graduate programs in various disciplines;
  • Approved UW-Madison’s request for a Master of Science in Business: Financial Management and Accounting to be offered by the Department of Accounting and Information Systems within the School of Business. The degree program is designed to serve the large and growing group of students pursuing financial analysis, advising, and management careers;
  • Approved UW-Madison’s request for a Master of Science in Quantum Computing. The degree program elevates the existing M.S. in Physics subplan/named option in Quantum Computing to a standalone degree, responding to growing demand. With many startups and large corporations engaged, the field of Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) will have a transformative impact on many sectors, with implications for the U.S. economy and national security;
  • Approved UW-River Falls’ request for a Master of Science in Healthcare Analytics, a fully distance education program designed to meet rising need for data-driven strategies in healthcare decision-making. Graduates of the program will develop advanced competencies in healthcare data management, statistical modeling, predictive analytics, data privacy and security, financial analytics, and compliance with healthcare regulations;
  • Approved UW-Stevens Point’s request for a Doctor of Education in Language and Literacy. The creation of this doctorate supports the statewide and nationwide vision to increase instructional expertise in literacy. The program facilitates the application of research-based literacy practices through the lens of sustainable educational systems, bridging the documented gap that exists between K-12 education between research and practice;
  • Approved UW-Superior’s request for a Master of Social Work, building on a long-standing continuously accredited bachelor’s degree program in social work at UW-Superior. The program is in response to a critical workforce shortage in Northern Wisconsin, where agencies are struggling to recruit and retain M.S.W.-level staff, particularly in clinical fields;
  • Approved the appointment of Kirstie Yu to the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Oversight and Advisory Committee of the Wisconsin Partnership Program to fill a vacant position;
  • Approved the revised UW-Oshkosh Faculty Handbook to align policies and practices with the new academic structure at UWO, ensure its policies and practices are in alignment with current Regent policy, and communicate clear processes to the faculty;
  • Approved the corrected 2025 Report on Faculty Promotions, Tenure Designations, and Other Changes of Status;
  • Approved UW-Milwaukee’s request for the proposed change in credit plateau for the academic year from eight to 15 credits for Fall and Spring terms and nine to 15 credits in Summer for its Direct Entry Master of Nursing program beginning Fall 2025;
  • Approved the UW System Status Report on Large/High-Risk Information Technology Projects and approved the submitting of the report on the Board’s behalf to the legislative Joint Committee on Information Policy and Technology;
  • Heard a report on the Cost-Benefit Analysis of Foundations and Associated Affiliated Organizations for Fiscal Year 2023-24;
  • Approved UW System’s request for authority to construct five All Agency maintenance and repair projects at an estimated total cost of $11,065,400 ($5,316,000 General Fund Supported Borrowing; $2,996,000 Program Revenue Supported Borrowing; and $2,753,400 Cash).
    • At UW-Milwaukee, the Multi-Building Elevator Modernization project updates five hydraulic passenger elevators in four buildings. Most of the 1974 to 1990 vintage hydraulic passenger-freight and service elevator systems and components are no longer available. All the elevators are heavily used during the academic year to meet ADA requirements and to facilitate building use and operations efforts;
    • Also at UW-Milwaukee, the Multi-Building Fire Alarm System Renovations Phase I project includes a new design replaces the existing fire alarm systems in Curtis and Enderis Hall. The existing system is considered obsolete and finding replacement parts are becoming increasingly difficult. The full system replacement includes programming the new control panel to the central campus reporting system;
    • At UW-Platteville, the Residence Hall Renovations project constructs various maintenance, repair, and renovation scopes of work across residential facilities on campus. Project work includes programmatic enhancements to address student needs, building systems updates, code compliance and general maintenance and repairs. The University has a portfolio of residence hall buildings which are more than 60 years old;
    • At UW-Eau Claire, the Upper Campus Outdoor Basketball & Volleyball Courts project replaces and relocates courts displaced by the Suites residence hall project. New work includes site work with irrigation, a new basketball court and volleyball court, and associated court lighting for all courts and connected to the campus electrical infrastructure;
    • At UW-Whitewater, the Foster Exterior Track Replacement project reconstructs and resurfaces the nine-lane, 400 meter running track along with the associated runways for long jump, high jump, and pole vault. The surfaces are deteriorating, particularly near the grass infield of the running track and along the perimeters;
  • Approved UW System’s request for authority to construct a minor facilities renewal project at an estimated total cost of $7,575,000 Segregated Revenue. At UW-Stout, the Swanson Library Electrical System Replacement/Exterior Envelope Maintenance & Repair project upgrades electrical equipment and completes maintenance and renovation of the exterior building envelope constructed in 1981. A new transformer, with surge suppression, is required to replace a temporary transformer;
  • In the Capital Planning & Budget Committee, heard UW System’s semi-annual status report on UW Solely Managed Capital Projects from December 1, 2024, through July 1, 2025. Since its inception in July 2015, the program has included a total of 186 projects. The total value of the projects that are or have been part of the program has increased from $868,946,273 in December 2024 to $936,658,557. Program statistics include:
    • 52 active projects valued at $717 million
    • 26 projects, $59 million, are completed and working on close-out activities
  • In the Capital Planning & Budget Committee, heard a report from Senior Associate Vice President Alex Roe.
  • In the Audit, Risk, and Compliance Committee, heard a progress report from Chief Audit Executive Lori Stortz on the Fiscal Year 2025 Audit Plan;
  • In the Audit, Risk, and Compliance Committee, heard a report from the Office of Compliance and Risk Management on its progress under its Fiscal Year 2025 annual goals and an overview of its high-level goals for FY 2026; and
  • In the Audit, Risk, and Compliance Committee, received an executive summary from the Office on Internal Audit of a report on Youth Protection.

The next meeting (by videoconference) of the Board of Regents for the Universities of Wisconsin will be August 5, 2025.