Surprise Tuition Increase Hits UW Students Weeks After State Sends $1.4 Billion

Despite receiving more than $1.4 billion in taxpayer dollars in the newly passed Wisconsin state budget, the Universities of Wisconsin System will be raising tuition this fall—a decision already drawing sharp criticism from elected officials and families across the state.

On Thursday, the UW Board of Regents voted to approve a 5% tuition hike across nearly all schools in the system. UW-River Falls will implement a slightly higher increase of 5.8%, while UW-Green Bay’s tuition will rise by 4%. The decision comes on the heels of a significant infusion of public funding: $1.13 billion for capital improvements and $316 million for operations as part of the 2025-27 Wisconsin State Budget.

Senate President Mary Felzkowski didn’t mince words following the announcement. “The Universities of Wisconsin just received over a billion dollars of new, taxpayer money in the state budget—so now what are they doing? Raising tuition,” she said in a statement. “Why is this year different? They had to first secure those billion dollars in the budget!”

For students and families, the timing is especially frustrating. In prior years, tuition adjustments were made earlier in the spring, giving prospective students time to factor costs into their May 1 college decision deadlines. This year’s late-summer increase means many students are locked in—with financial planning suddenly thrown into disarray.

The tuition announcement also comes amid what some see as a distraction tactic by UW-Madison. The flagship campus recently launched a media blitz touting the dismantling of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) department. However, state leaders allege the move is largely cosmetic. According to Felzkowski, “Don’t be fooled – the positions have simply been moved to other departments.”

Critics argue the combination of a major funding boost, a conveniently timed tuition hike, and a rebranded DEI effort all point to strategic messaging rather than transparency. With the cost of higher education already a point of concern for many Wisconsin families, the added financial strain—after such a large taxpayer investment—is likely to intensify scrutiny on the UW System’s priorities.

Democratic lawmakers, while more supportive of the overall state investment in public universities, have expressed concern over the tuition increase as well. Many have noted that affordability and access to higher education must remain a top priority, and some have called for the UW System to better justify any tuition hikes—especially in years when state funding is robust. Others have emphasized the need for long-term structural reforms to stabilize university budgets and reduce the burden on students, rather than passing along costs through tuition.

Senator Felzkowski, who represents the state’s 12th Senate District, signaled the debate is far from over. “The timing of the state budget, the tuition increase, and the false DEI media campaign is not coincidental,” she said.

As the dust settles from this week’s decision, families across Wisconsin are left wondering what exactly they’re getting for their investment—and who’s truly being served by the decisions coming out of the state’s top universities.