University Of Wisconsin Students Can Expect Tuition To Rise This Fall

WISCONSIN — For the first time in a decade, the cost to attend the University of Wisconsin System will increase in the fall.

The Board of Regents approved the recommendation to adjust tuition and segregated fees for the 2023-2024 school year on March 30. The new costs will range across each university but on average, resident undergraduates can expect a 4.9 percent increase, or around $404, according to a news release from the UW System.

Including an average 3.5 percent increase in room and board costs, the average overall increase is around $706, according to the regents' news release.

“It is important to all of us that a UW education continues to be affordable, but as resident tuition rates have been held flat for the past 10 years, inflation has increased a cumulative 26%, and it’s time to use this operational lever,” said Regent Scott Beightol, who is the chair of the business and finance committee, in the release.

UW System President Jay Rothman noted two priorities, remaining affordable for students and delivering an outstanding education in a financially sustainable way, according to the release.

UW-Madison freshman Maria Shackett told Spectrum News 1 the impacts may be lessened for her because of financial aid, but noted that other students and friends will be more impacted.

A report by Wisconsin Public Radio noted it is the first time tuition has increased since Republican legislators froze it in 2013.