Differential Tuition Information
May 18, 2007
Below is the most current information about the Differential Tuition for Undergraduate Business Degrees and Certificates in Business from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business.
At its June 7-8, 2007 board meeting, The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents voted to support the proposal for differential tuition that would affect UW-Madison students enrolled as majors in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program or earning a Certificate in Business.
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the proposal.WHY WAS THIS PROPOSAL MADE?Costs of business education are rising much faster than our resource base while at the same time demand for our program has grown. The differential will allow us to sustain quality and to expand the size of our certificate program, and possibly, the major. In fall 2006, for example, only 50 percent of applicants for admission to the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program could be admitted. Many of those who could not be admitted were highly qualified and will go on to work in business. The high demand is in large part a reflection of the quality of the program; the School of Business is one of the most highly ranked undergraduate business schools in the nation.
State support does not provide the resources needed to maintain the quality of the undergraduate business program relative to competing institutions, particularly in recruiting and retaining top faculty. By charging a higher tuition for the undergraduate major, the School of Business can maintain quality faculty, enhance academic and career preparation and offer business education to more students.
DO OTHER SCHOOL’S HAVE DIFFERENTIAL TUITION FOR UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS PROGRAMS? All other Big Ten schools already have a tuition differential for undergraduate business majors (except for Northwestern, which doesn’t have an undergraduate business program, and the University of Minnesota, which has direct control over tuition revenue.) The rate will take Wisconsin to the median of the group. Within the UW System, UW-Milwaukee’s undergraduate business program has had a tuition differential in place for three years. MBA students at UW-Madison already pay a differential.
HOW WILL THIS DIFFERENTIAL BENEFIT THE UW-MADISON BUSINESS PROGRAM AND BUSINESS STUDENTS?The differential will enhance the ability to recruit and retain faculty members in key areas to maintain a competitive position in the market, and · Enhance academic and career advising · Expand enrollment in the Certificate in Business program and hopefully the major · Assist with the transition costs from junior to sophomore admission in fall 2009 · Allow hiring a director of academic programs and a director of admissions and recruiting
HOW MUCH WILL THE PROPOSED CHANGE AFFECT STUDENTS?Business majors enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits will pay an additional $500 per semester. Business majors enrolled on a part-time basis (less than 12 credits) will pay on a pro-rated basis. Those enrolled in the Certificate in Business program would pay an additional $150 per semester.
WHEN WILL THE PROPOSED DIFFERENTIAL TUITION FEE TAKE EFFECT?The fee will be assessed in fall of 2007.
WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO REDUCE THE IMPACT ON STUDENTS WITH LIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES?25 percent of revenues from the proposed differential tuition fee would be earmarked for financial aid to students enrolled in the programs.
HAVE THERE BEEN OPPORTUNITITIES FOR INPUT ON THE PROPOSAL?
In developing the proposal, the School of Business has worked closely with UW-Madison administration, the Dean’s Advisory Board of the School of Business, business school faculty and staff and the Undergraduate Business Leadership Council, which represents all the student organizations in the business school. Business students were sent information about the proposal in January and the following listening sessions were scheduled in Grainger Hall:Thursday, January Jan 25, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 5 to 6 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 22, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 1 noon to 1 p.m.For more information, please contact Steve Schroeder, Director, Undergraduate Career Services, sschroeder@bus.wisc.edu or (608) 265-3771.
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