Students enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater are receiving an exceptional academic experience at the most affordable cost among the state’s public, four-year universities.
Today, the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents approved student fees as well as room-and-board costs for the 2019-20 academic year as part of the system’s operating budget. Factoring in tuition, fees, and room and board, UW-Whitewater is the best value in the UW System – a distinction it has held for at least five years.
Students save thousands of dollars on books by using the university’s textbook rental program – the largest in Wisconsin – covering 95 percent of students’ textbook needs. Students living in the residence halls have access to free printing and laundry. To ensure students are successful and stay on track to graduate on time, UW-Whitewater provides tutoring services free of charge for all students.
UW-Whitewater’s segregated fees are the lowest among all the campuses.
“We take pride in being responsible stewards of the funds entrusted to us,” said Interim Chancellor Cheryl Green. “UW-Whitewater has invested this money very wisely to enhance the student experience with outstanding programming and gorgeous facilities to make our campus a true ‘home’ where students can learn, live and work.”
Even though UW-Whitewater is implementing a slight increase to room-and-board rates, the campus remains the most cost-effective choice.
This fall, a new residence hall will open, featuring many amenities that today’s students desire in on-campus living.
“Our new residence hall will offer extensive kitchen options, as well as spaces for group work and socialization, including computer labs. In keeping with our campus mission, the hall was constructed with universal design principles to serve students with disabilities. We are excited to offer this modern residence hall experience to our students,” Green said.
UW-Whitewater was recently named the safest campus in Wisconsin, another important aspect of the student experience.
With more than 20 years of experience in delivering online college courses to students from Wisconsin and around the world, UW-Whitewater was ranked No. 6 in the top 30 online education programs in the United States by EDSmart.org. The University of Michigan was ranked No. 1.
EDSmart.org said this about UW-Whitewater’s online offerings: Online programs for undergraduates at UW-Whitewater include a Bachelor of Business Administration in economics, general business, finance or management. There is also a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies as well as one in political science. A unique bachelor’s degree program is one in law enforcement. The latter degree is for veteran police officers with three years of experience who already possess an Associate of Arts in criminology. The program is designed to allow officers to work at a pace that does not overwhelm them. There is also a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.
“Our online programs have been stellar for more than two decades,” said Interim Chancellor Cheryl Green. “These alternative forms of delivery are important not only for the level of excellence they offer, but also to allow students to take classes when it is convenient for them. UW-Whitewater’s online programs serve traditional college-age students, and also allow returning students to start a degree program or finish one they began earlier in their educational career.”
UW-Whitewater continues to expand its online offerings to serve the needs of students who are looking for an exceptional education at a reasonable price.
The retention rate for online students is 78 percent with a graduation rate of 62 percent.
According to EdSmart, “EDsmart’s ranking of the best online colleges in the U.S. is the most comprehensive and well-rounded to date. The ranking includes only fully accredited schools. Rankings are based on affordability and return on investment, while also considering factors such as graduation and retention rates according to NCES College Navigator reporting.”
“As online college classes become more prevalent, it is important to recognize the colleges and universities that go above and beyond,” said Tyson Stevens, managing editor of EDsmart. “Our goal is to highlight these schools and their commitment to higher education.”
“The Best Online Colleges ranking allows students to compare accredited programs and find those that best fit their education interests and career goals,” said EDsmart’s spokesperson. “Beyond providing affordable education, a college is not successful if it does not graduate its students, which is why EDsmart rankings place a high value on outcomes, including graduation and retention rates.”
