(WTAQ-WLUK) — Overall enrollment at the Universities of Wisconsin is the highest it has been since 2020, according to data released Monday.
According to preliminary estimates based on first-day counts, enrollment this fall grew by 1,058 students. That brings the system’s overall enrollment to an estimated 163,589 students.
UW-Green Bay is one of eight universities who experienced higher enrollments, offset in part by declines at other universities, including UW-Oshkosh.
Official enrollment counts will be released later this fall, based on the 10th day of enrollment. Preliminary headcount enrollment estimates are as follows:
- UW-Eau Claire (increased): 9,969
- UW-Green Bay (increased): 10,749
- UW-La Crosse (increased): 10,438
- UW-Madison (increased): 51,729
- UW-Milwaukee: 22,517
- UW-Oshkosh: 13,127
- UW-Parkside: 3,875
- UW-Platteville: 6,419
- UW-River Falls (increased): 5,093
- UW-Stevens Point (increased): 8,263
- UW-Stout: 6,870
- UW-Superior (increased): 2,756
- UW-Whitewater (increased): 11,784
A news release from the Universities of Wisconsin applauds the enrollment increase, which comes despite the closures of several branch campuses and “severe challenges caused by the disruptive roll out of a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) financial aid form and a lack of funding for the Wisconsin Tuition Promise.”
Last month, the Universities of Wisconsin regents voted to ask Gov. Tony Evers for an additional $855 million in the next state budget. President Jay Rothman promised he wouldn’t seek to raise tuition during the life of the two-year spending plan if the system gets the money it requested.
An August report showed a nearly 10% decrease in high school seniors in Wisconsin completing an application for financial aid for higher education assistance.
According to Rothman:
Today’s enrollment growth marks our second year of increases in the face of significant headwinds. The consequences of public funding of our universities in the bottom 10 of the nation is making access and affordability much more difficult than it should be. Our hope is the legislature will provide relief for parents and students seeking the educational opportunities at our UWs.
