WISCONSIN (WFRV) – The University of Wisconsin system released its official enrollment figures for the fall semester on Wednesday, showcasing a pair of big wins for the universities.
According to a release, overall enrollment across all 13 UW schools increased for the third successive year, with a total of 164,626 students.
The increase, while just a meager 190 students from last fall, marks the first time in 15 years that enrollment has jumped three years in a row. It also indicates that preliminary estimates from September were off, as it suggested a 96-student decrease.
Not only was it a third-straight year of increasing enrollment, but the fall 2025 semester also saw a record increase in in-state students as new freshmen.
According to the release, the slight increase is built on larger gains from the past two years, with the 5.5% (1,033 students) jump in in-state new freshmen enrollment.
Of the 13 UW schools, nine experienced enrollment growth.
UW President Jay Rothman said the following in the release:
“This is a moment worth celebrating. Three years of sustained growth show that students and families see the Universities of Wisconsin as a smart investment in themselves and in Wisconsin’s future. It will help Wisconsin win the war for talent.”
President Rothman cited two programs, Direct Admit Wisconsin and the 2025 Wisconsin Tuition Promise, as a major factor in the in-state boost. According to the release, seven participating universities in Direct Admit saw over 9% in gains for in-state freshman enrollment.
“Direct Admit Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Tuition Promise have opened doors for more students across the state,” Rothman said in the release. “These initiatives are driving broad-based growth that reflects our commitment to serving all Wisconsinites.”
However, in spite of the increase in overall enrollment, there was a 7.6% decline among international students.
The enrollment figures are as follows for all 13 UW schools, with the 2024 fall enrollment and percentage change included:
| Campus | 2024 Enrollment | 2025 Enrollment | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| UW-Eau Claire | 10,000 | 9,487 | -5.13% |
| UW-Green Bay | 11,188 | 11,519 | +2.96% |
| UW-La Crosse | 10,458 | 10,584 | +1.21% |
| UW-Madison | 51,791 | 51,481 | -0.60% |
| UW-Milwaukee | 22,683 | 22,909 | +1.00% |
| UW-Oshkosh | 12,964 | 12,191 | -5.96% |
| UW-Parkside | 3,947 | 3,920 | -0.68% |
| UW-Platteville | 6,391 | 6,426 | +0.55% |
| UW-River Falls | 5,273 | 5,377 | +1.97% |
| UW-Stevens Point | 8,251 | 8,532 | +3.40% |
| UW-Stout | 6,914 | 7,061 | +2.12% |
| UW-Superior | 2,819 | 2,872 | +1.88% |
| UW-Whitewater | 11,752 | 12,267 | +4.38% |
In a virtual news conference following the release, President Rothman expressed hope that the trend not only continues but also leads to higher graduation rates.
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“My hope is that we will continue to see very healthy freshman enrollment numbers,” President Rothman said. “Ultimately, that is going to lead to healthier graduation numbers.”
The UW system is among the largest university systems in the United States, based on fall 2024 enrollment totals.
