University of Wisconsin - Rock County
2909 Kellogg Avenue
Janesville, WI 53546
Contact the UR Office:
E-Mail: uroffice@uwc.edu
Phone: 608-758-6530

12/5/2008

UW-Rock County Remains Most Affordable UW Entry Point

UW-Rock County Remains Most Affordable UW Entry Point
Campus responds to “Measuring Up 2008” report

Janesville -- In these challenging economic times, the University of Wisconsin-Rock County and its sister schools of the UW Colleges continue to maintain the long-held reputation as the UW System’s most affordable entry point for incoming college students.

The UW Colleges’ emphasis on its affordability comes in light of a report released this week from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education entitled “Measuring Up 2008.” That report measured the affordability of public four-year universities nationwide and gave Wisconsin and 48 other states a low grade on affordability. The report did not analyze the affordability of public two-year universities like UW-Rock County, which is one of the 13 freshman/sophomore campuses that comprise the UW Colleges.

UW Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor David Wilson reminds prospective students of all ages that, with the UW Colleges tuition rates frozen at 2006 levels, attending UW-Rock County can save them thousands of dollars annually.

“By living at home and attending our campuses, students can save up to $10,000 a year in tuition and room and board costs,” Wilson said. “Whether students start, continue or complete a degree with us or transfer on to complete a baccalaureate degree, our low tuition and high quality academic instruction allow students to graduate with less debt.”

Tuition and fees at UW-Rock County are $4,562 for 2008-09. This is $3,002 less than the tuition and fees at UW-Madison, $2,743 less than UW-Milwaukee and an average of $1,565 less than the other four-year UW campuses. The cost difference between private colleges and UW-Rock County is even greater – tuition and fees at Beloit College, for example, are $26,978 more per year.

Wilson also plans to forward a request to the Board of Regents to keep tuition for the 2009-10 academic year frozen at the 2006 and current rate.

“Our goal is make our campuses even more affordable,” he said. “While the current economic climate presents challenges, I am still hopeful that I can present a convincing argument to the Board to keep our campuses moving forward with affordable tuition.”

In addition to its low tuition, 46 percent of UW Colleges students receive some form of financial aid in the way of scholarships and grants that do not require repayment.

Finances are not the only concern of prospective college students; academic quality also matters.

“While UW-Rock County is an affordable option for area students to start their bachelor’s degree, we also have an excellent reputation for preparing college students for academic success in whatever bachelor’s degree program they enter,” says Diane Pillard, UW-Rock County dean and chief executive officer.

UW Colleges students who transfer go on to graduate with baccalaureate degrees at higher rates than all other transfer students. Others may opt to enter one of the bachelor’s degree programs offered on the campus in collaboration with other UW four-year colleges. This combination of affordability and academic excellence is no longer a secret – UW-Rock County recently broke enrollment records with 1,042 students registered for the fall semester and enrollment for the spring semester is already ahead of last year’s numbers at this time.

UW-Rock County is still accepting applications for the spring semester and for fall 2009. Contact the student services office at (608) 758-6565 ext. 200 for more information about admission and financial aid.
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