Building a Stronger Wisconsin
UW–Madison’s 2025-2027 Budget Priorities
A strong, healthy University of Wisconsin–Madison is vital to the success of our state. As Wisconsin’s flagship university, UW–Madison is not just an educational institution—it’s an economic engine with over $30 billion in annual impact and more than 10,000 skilled, job-ready graduates produced each year. Our groundbreaking research and innovation in healthcare and technology are driving improvements in quality of life across Wisconsin’s communities.
To keep Wisconsin competitive and prosperous, we urge the state to prioritize the UW in the 2025-2027 budget through additional state funding, essential infrastructure investments and a fair compensation plan.
Priority: Increase general purpose revenue, a proven return on investment
For every dollar the state invests in UW–Madison, we generate $26 in return for taxpayers—funding that fuels local economies, supports families and strengthens communities. Stagnant state support for UW threatens Wisconsin’s economic progress, undercuts our competitiveness among peers, and impedes our ability to serve Wisconsin families. To maintain educational quality, research excellence and support for students, we are requesting an increase in state funding, essential for providing the educational experience Wisconsin deserves.
Priority: Reduce costs and streamline campus building projects
We propose modifying current law to grant some form of bonding authority to the UW Board of Regents for select building projects. These projects would be fully funded by UW–Madison, with the Department of Administration continuing its project management role. Currently, the Universities of Wisconsin and the Board of Regents can only approve and manage projects entirely funded through grants and private donations. UW–Madison is the only university in the Big Ten and one of two flagship universities in the country that has no form of bonding authority. This change would create some level of certainty for projects that do not require any taxpayer funding.
Priority: A fully funded compensation plan to retain top talent
Amid persistent inflation and a tight labor market, a modest increase in compensation is necessary to stay competitive among our peers and fulfill our mission. UW–Madison supports a five percent pay increase for Universities of Wisconsin employees in year one, and a three percent increase in year two, fully funded by the state. This compensation plan will help us recruit and retain the top-quality faculty and staff needed to educate and support our students, vital for sustaining UW’s excellence and impact.