Universities of Wisconsin proposes 4-year tuition freeze in new budget request
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Universities of Wisconsin leaders announced a proposal Monday, Aug. 17, to freeze tuition through the 2027-29 budget cycle, provided the state invests $190 million to cover the cost of the freeze and other operating needs.
Under the plan, called the 4-Year Tuition Pledge, the university system would also commit to keeping tuition increases at or below the rate of inflation for the following two years.
“It is a choice for policymakers and Wisconsinites, so none of these programs we are talking about are going to be possible absent the partnership with the state,” Kyle Weatherly, president of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, said.
Students entering in fall 2027 would see declining tuition relative to inflation for four years, according to Weatherly.
"This proposal means four years of predictable tuition, with costs that remain well below inflation," Weatherly said. "It represents an important commitment to Wisconsin families and helps ensure the Universities of Wisconsin remain the Midwest leader in tuition affordability."
Leaders also announced Wisconsin Work and Learn, a program pairing last-dollar financial aid with a work or career-preparation requirement for students from families earning below the state's median household income.
“Together, these proposals would make the Universities of Wisconsin the most affordable in the Midwest,” Weatherly said.
According to the UW-Madison website, states like Indiana, Iowa and Nebraska have lower tuition fees at their flagship universities. Looking at each Big 10 school in the Midwest and the tuition costs they report, you can see Wisconsin sits right in the middle.
We reached out to both of the gubernatorial candidates -- Tom Tiffany and David Crowley -- to see if they would support this budget request. We only received a response from David Crowley by our deadline. He said the following:
“I believe Wisconsin must do more to fund the Universities of Wisconsin system and keep the cost of college as low as possible for working families. That’s why I support this proposal to invest in our public universities, freeze tuition, protect the world-class education UW students deserve, and give families greater financial certainty as they plan for their children’s future. But any tuition freeze needs to be backed up by proper public education funding. As a state legislator, MAGA extremist Tom Tiffany did Scott Walker’s bidding to defund our public education system, and in Congress, he has tried abolishing the U.S. Department of Education. As governor, I will keep our public institutions properly funded so our kids get the education they deserve.”