Regents reduce non-resident tuition
Out-of-state students could save thousands at UW System schools
Brian Reisinger
Issue date: 2/13/06 Section: Campus News
The UW System Board of Regents made a move Friday to attract more out-of-state students to Wisconsin, voting 14 to 1 to reduce non-resident tuition in the 2006-2007 academic year.
Under the new measure out-of-state students still will pay more than the full cost of their education, but could see $2,000 or more in savings across System schools, said Don Mash, executive senior vice president of the System.
The reduction places non-resident tuition at a level that is more competitive with other states' universities, Mash said.
Non-resident tuition at UW-Eau Claire was $15,224 for the 2005-2006 academic year, compared to a resident tuition rate of $5,178, according to online university records.
UW-Madison will continue to set its own non-resident tuition since it draws out-of-state and international students regardless of tuition rates, officials said.
Under a reciprocity agreement, Minnesota students already pay tuition comparable to what they would in their own state.
Mash said the new plan will not displace any in-state students, but rather will provide more educational opportunities in the long run - both by generating more revenue for tuition subsidies and encouraging diversity on System campuses.
"This will improve the quality of education and actually create more spots for in-state students," he said. "There is no downside to this."
Regent Thomas Loftus agreed, saying the System would benefit from a more diverse
student body.
"The System has become homogenous," Loftus said. "(Each university) is, in effect, a private university for out-of-state students."
Non-resident enrollment in the System has dropped by 900 students over the past five years, constituting roughly $13 million in lost revenue, according to a Board of Regents statement.
Regent Gerard Randall cast the lone dissenting vote, saying he preferred a "more measured approach."
He suggested offering lowered tuition only to those students who demonstrate economic need, scholarly ability or a desire to pursue high-demand professions within the state after graduation.
Under the new measure out-of-state students still will pay more than the full cost of their education, but could see $2,000 or more in savings across System schools, said Don Mash, executive senior vice president of the System.
The reduction places non-resident tuition at a level that is more competitive with other states' universities, Mash said.
Non-resident tuition at UW-Eau Claire was $15,224 for the 2005-2006 academic year, compared to a resident tuition rate of $5,178, according to online university records.
UW-Madison will continue to set its own non-resident tuition since it draws out-of-state and international students regardless of tuition rates, officials said.
Under a reciprocity agreement, Minnesota students already pay tuition comparable to what they would in their own state.
Mash said the new plan will not displace any in-state students, but rather will provide more educational opportunities in the long run - both by generating more revenue for tuition subsidies and encouraging diversity on System campuses.
"This will improve the quality of education and actually create more spots for in-state students," he said. "There is no downside to this."
Regent Thomas Loftus agreed, saying the System would benefit from a more diverse
student body.
"The System has become homogenous," Loftus said. "(Each university) is, in effect, a private university for out-of-state students."
Non-resident enrollment in the System has dropped by 900 students over the past five years, constituting roughly $13 million in lost revenue, according to a Board of Regents statement.
Regent Gerard Randall cast the lone dissenting vote, saying he preferred a "more measured approach."
He suggested offering lowered tuition only to those students who demonstrate economic need, scholarly ability or a desire to pursue high-demand professions within the state after graduation.