Funding for Wisconsin’s public higher education system drops to 6th worst in US

Wisconsin’s four-year university system receives less state funding and tuition than nearly every state in the nation, according to the latest study of higher education funding.

The Universities of Wisconsin ranked 44th out of 50 states in public funding in 2024 — a drop of one spot from 2023. 

By comparison, Illinois ranks first and Michigan ranks second. 

Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman said the ranking is “further evidence of the urgency for more state investment in public universities.”

“Wisconsin is renowned for its affordable and accessible public universities,” Rothman said. “We can’t languish at the bottom anymore without seriously jeopardizing Wisconsin’s economic vibrancy.” 

The UW system has been advocating for a significant increase in state funding to improve its national ranking and address budget challenges.

The UW system’s 2023-25 biennial budget is $13.7 billion. About 58 percent of funding comes from tuition and fees, 24 percent comes from the federal government and 18 percent comes from the state.

Evers’ budget includes $856M spending increase for UW

Gov. Tony Evers’ 2025-27 biennial budget proposal includes $856 million for the UW system, the largest increase in state history. 

Rothman said the budget increase would bring UW to the middle nationally in funding and provide the system with essential investments to preserve the quality and advance the innovation that Wisconsin expects of the system’s 13 universities.

“We’re not going to have the teachers, the nurses, the engineers and the data scientists that are necessary,” Rothman said. “And it has a real impact on students of lower socioeconomic means, because we don’t have the resources to really make this opportunity available to anyone in Wisconsin who has the passion and has the ability.”

In December, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos called the UW budget request a “non-starter.” 

During a legislative hearing last month, Republicans questioned the need for more funding, saying with declining birth rates, university enrollment could drop significantly. 

During an interview with WPR this week, Rothman said UW enrollment has increased the last two years. 

“And if you look at our enrollments today versus where they were 30 years ago, they’re almost identical,” Rothman said. “I think we’ve got to put all of this into perspective as we look at what our footprint is and how we’re serving the state. We’re graduating substantially more people today than we were 30 years ago. That’s what our goal is.” 

Wisconsin’s business community throws support behind UW System

Nearly 800 business officials representing more than 500 business groups signed a letter of support for more state investment in the UW system. 

Rothman met Friday with several business leaders at TitletownTech, a venture capital firm in Green Bay, to host a panel discussion about the role the universities play in the the economic future of the state. 

“Coming from the private sector, they know what I know — that Wisconsin will not win the war for talent if it does not make sound and competitive investments in higher education,” said Rothman, who was a partner at Foley & Lardner law firm before his role as UW president. 

Business groups included representatives from the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Northwestern Mutual, Sentry Insurance, Epic Systems and Exact Sciences.

“When the Green Bay Packers need talent, we scout more than the football field,” Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy said in a statement. “In order to remain one of the most successful and beloved sports franchises in the world, we also need that talent the Universities of Wisconsin develop for our state.”

Regent and CEO of Prevea Health Ashok Rai said large employers know it’s critical to have talent educated and living in Wisconsin.

“Our UWs are key to meeting the future workforce needs here in northwest Wisconsin and across the entire state,” Rai said.