Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents approves modest, below-inflation tuition increase
MILWAUKEE, Wis.—The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents approved a proposal to increase resident undergraduate tuition by 2 percent for the 2026–27 academic year.
The increase is below the current inflation rate and is designed to help universities address rising operating costs while continuing to maintain affordability for Wisconsin students and families.
“This 2 percent tuition increase represents a balanced and measured approach to addressing the rising costs our UW universities face,” said Regent President Amy B. Bogost. “It helps preserve affordability for students while ensuring the UWs have the resources needed to maintain the high-quality education they provide. We do not make this decision lightly, and it follows careful consideration and extensive deliberation.”
“Our universities are facing inflationary increases, an obligation to help fund state-mandated pay increases for our hard-working employees, and other cost pressures,” said Regent Vice President Kyle M. Weatherly. “Our universities have done a great job in recent years managing expenses, but the financial environment remains challenging. We have a fiduciary duty as regents to ensure quality and the long-term success of our universities.”
The decision, by a vote of 15-1, comes after several years of significant financial restructuring across UW universities, including reductions in structural deficits, operational changes, and campus-level cost containment efforts designed to strengthen long-term financial stability.
Over the past decade, resident undergraduate tuition at Wisconsin comprehensive universities has increased at a substantially lower rate than public universities in neighboring Midwestern states.
Even with the proposed increase, the Universities of Wisconsin would continue to rank among the most affordable public university systems in the region.
The proposal would also include an average 3.5 percent increase in segregated fees, or approximately $56 annually. When tuition, segregated fees, and room-and-board costs are combined, the total estimated cost of attendance for resident undergraduates would increase by an average of 2.5 percent.
Revenue generated through the proposal would support essential university operations, including utilities, facility maintenance, employee salaries and benefits, and student services.
2026–27 Resident Undergraduate Tuition and Segregated Fees
The resident undergraduate tuition and segregated fees for each university in 2026-27 is as follows:
UW-Eau Claire: $10,268
UW-Green Bay: $9,133
UW-La Crosse: $10,563
UW-Madison: $12,416
UW-Milwaukee: $11,153
UW-Oshkosh: $9,180
UW-Parkside: $8,851
UW-Platteville: $9,007
UW-River Falls: $9,448
UW-Stevens Point: $9,692
UW-Stout: $10,289
UW-Superior: $9,477
UW-Whitewater: $8,984
In addition, selected programs would undergo program-specific tuition adjustments.
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Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents approves University of Wisconsin–Stout Polytechnic as new name for Menomonie campus
The university’s polytechnic identity positions graduates for success
MILWAUKEE, Wis.—The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents has approved a new name for the Menomonie campus – University of Wisconsin–Stout Polytechnic.
The unanimous vote Thursday occurred at the Board’s meeting in Milwaukee.
“Employers increasingly seek graduates who can contribute on day one, and UW-Stout Polytechnic stands apart by embracing the meaning of ‘polytechnic,’” said Universities of Wisconsin Regent President Amy B. Bogost. “This designation reflects the university’s fundamental commitment to applied learning.”
“The significance of the polytechnic name is that it clearly communicates the value proposition of a UW-Stout Polytechnic degree,” said Universities of Wisconsin Interim President Renée Wachter. “It represents an education intentionally designed to meet the needs of students, employers, and communities now and into the future.”
UW-Stout Polytechnic is among the 3 percent of universities nationally with a polytechnic designation.
“At a time when the relevance of higher education is being questioned by many, UW-Stout Polytechnic has proven its relevance and shown its impact on the state of Wisconsin and far beyond through a focus on our educational mission and the subsequent success of our graduates,” said Chancellor Katherine Frank. “Our distinctiveness as a university is now called out in our name, and we are proud to be UW-Stout Polytechnic.”
The “Polytechnic” in UW-Stout Polytechnic signifies a university model that blends rigorous academics with applied learning, industry collaboration, and career-focused experiences, which ensures students graduate not only with knowledge but also with the ability to apply it immediately in the workforce. These three pillars form what UW-Stout Polytechnic calls its “Polytechnic Advantage,” a comprehensive educational approach designed to connect theory with practice and prepare graduates to solve real-world challenges. The university emphasizes hands-on, experiential education.
Through partnerships with hundreds of businesses and organizations, UW-Stout Polytechnic integrates industry insight into its curriculum and provides students with opportunities to work on sponsored projects using professional-grade technology. Students routinely engage with industry leaders – including through internships, co-ops, and research opportunities – gaining valuable experience and feedback while building professional networks that begin long before graduation.
To learn more about UW-Stout Polytechnic and the Polytechnic Advantage, visit UWStout.edu.
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Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents elects Regent Kyle M. Weatherly as President and Regent Ashok Rai as Vice President
MADISON, Wis.—The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents on Thursday elected Regent Kyle M. Weatherly to a one-year term as President. Weatherly, a graduate of UW-Madison and previously Regent Vice President, succeeds Amy B. Bogost, who has served as President since June 2024. Regents also elected Regent Ashok Rai as Vice President.
Each June, the Board elects a President and Vice President. Weatherly has served on the Board since May 2020. Rai has served since May 2021.
Among other duties, the Board President designates Board committee membership, signs all diplomas and contracts issued by the Board, and speaks on behalf of the Board with the Governor and legislative groups.
“I owe so much of what I have achieved to my family and to the Universities of Wisconsin,” Weatherly said. “As Regent President, my priority will be to help ensure that students in every corner of our state have access to the opportunity, excellence, and upward mobility that public higher education can provide.”
Weatherly is the President of Alta Medical. Prior to starting Alta Medical, he was the founding CEO at Frontdesk and the President of Solaris Medical. Weatherly earned an MPA in Public Management and BA in Political Science and History from UW-Madison. Between degrees, he worked for Habitat for Humanity, first in South Los Angeles and later in Madison.
“As I step into this role, let me be clear about where my focus will be: on the students, and on the people who teach them,” Rai said. “Everything else we do as a board is in service of those two.”
Rai is the President and CEO of Prevea Health, a role he began in 2009. He is a Venture Partner at Titletown Tech in Green Bay, and he has served in numerous community roles in Northeast Wisconsin. He earned an undergraduate degree from UW-Milwaukee and completed his medical degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
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Universities of Wisconsin to host public listening sessions for presidential search
MADISON, Wis.—The Universities of Wisconsin will host a series of public listening sessions across the state next week as part of the ongoing search for the next Universities of Wisconsin President. The sessions are designed to gather input from students, faculty, staff, and community members to help inform the qualities and priorities sought in the UWs’ next leader.
“The Universities of Wisconsin belong to the people of this state, and that is why these listening sessions matter,” said Regent Ashok Rai, who is chairing the Presidential Search Committee. “We are seeking a president who will lead with purpose, connect with communities across Wisconsin, and ensure our universities continue to deliver opportunity, innovation, and impact for generations to come.”
All sessions are open to the public and will provide an opportunity for attendees to share their perspectives directly with members of the Presidential Search Committee. Members of the public can also view the sessions virtually and submit comments and ideas online.
The listening session schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
- 9:00 – 9:45 a.m.
UW-Green Bay, Weidner Center, Fort Howard Hall, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay - 12:00 – 12:45 p.m.
UW-Oshkosh, Culver Family Welcome Center, Ballroom C, 625 Pearl Avenue, Oshkosh - 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
UW-Milwaukee, School of Continuing Education, 7th floor (Suite 7000), 161 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
- 9:00 – 9:45 a.m.
UW-Madison, Memorial Union, Old Madison Room, 800 Langdon Street, Madison
Thursday, June 11, 2026
- 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
UW-Eau Claire, Davies Center, Room 340 (Dakota Ballroom), 77 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire
Feedback gathered during these sessions will help shape the presidential search process and ensure the next president reflects the values and priorities of Universities of Wisconsin stakeholders and communities statewide.
Members of the public, students, faculty, and staff will have additional opportunities to provide input on the search process, including at public forums featuring finalists.
More information about the search can be found on the Universities of Wisconsin presidential search website, where the public can find links to watch the listening sessions virtually and to submit feedback, found at wisconsin.edu/presidential-search-2026.
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About the Universities of Wisconsin
The Universities of Wisconsin serve more than 164,600 students. Awarding more than 37,000 degrees annually, these 13 public universities are Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in the state five years after earning a degree. The universities provide a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy. Learn more at wisconsin.edu.
