Editing University of Wisconsin System

{{short description|System of public universities in Wisconsin}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = University of Wisconsin System
 | image                  = Universities of Wisconsin seal.svg
 | image_upright          = 0.6
 | established            = {{start date and age|1848}}
 | type                   = [[Public university system]]
 | other_names            = UW System<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/uw-la-crosse-chancellor-fired-over-pornography-scandal-considering-litigation|title=UW-La Crosse chancellor fired over pornography scandal considering litigation|last=Goldbeck|first=Madison|last2=Carter|first2=Dylan Hunter|last3=Mackar|first3=Mariam|publisher=[[WTMJ-TV]]|date=December 28, 2023|accessdate=December 31, 2023}}</ref><br />University of Wisconsin<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/milwaukee/news/2023/10/10/uw-system-universities-of-wisconsin-name-change|title=UW System gets a rebrand as the Universities of Wisconsin|last=Prouty|first=Aly|date=October 10, 2023|publisher=[[Spectrum News#Spectrum News 1 (Wisconsin)|Spectrum News 1]]|accessdate=December 31, 2023}}</ref>
 | former_name            = University of Wisconsin System (1974–2023)
 | endowment              = $738.5 million (2021)<ref>As of June 30, 2021. {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Nacubo/Documents/research/2021-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--REVISED-February-18-2022.ashx?la=en&hash=FA57411CC4244B7D49C25377165FEC42FFBDEB56 |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2021 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY20 to FY21 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and [[TIAA]] |date=2022 |access-date=December 17, 2022}}</ref>
 | budget                 = $7.53 billion (2023–24)<ref name="2023-24 Budget">{{Cite web|url=https://www.news8000.com/news/education/uw-system-board-of-regents-approves-operating-budget-amid-some-campus-deficits/article_789c30f6-422d-11ee-a94f-4b5336f8e8b9.html|last=Kosirowski|first=Ken|title=UW System Board of Regents approves operating budget amid some campus deficits |publisher=[[WKBT-TV]]|date=August 24, 2023|access-date=October 17, 2023}}</ref>
 | president              = Jay Rothman<ref>{{cite web |title=UW System President |url=https://www.wisconsin.edu/president/ |website=UW System |date=31 May 2020 |access-date=25 March 2022}}</ref>
 | city                   = [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]]
 | state                  = [[Wisconsin]]
 | country                = United States
 | enrollment             = 160,782<ref name="Enrollment">{{cite web|url=https://www.wisconsin.edu/education-reports-statistics/enrollments/|title=Enrollments|date=30 June 2020 |publisher=University of Wisconsin System|access-date=October 17, 2023}}</ref>
 | undergrad              = 135,263
 | postgrad               = 25,519
 | campus                 = {{plainlist|
*13 comprehensive universities
*12 branch campuses}}
 | colors                 = {{color box|#003447}} {{color box|#005777}} <br>(Navy blue and teal)
 | website                = {{url|https://www.wisconsin.edu/| wisconsin.edu}}
 | logo                   = Universities of Wisconsin wordmark.svg
 | logo_size              = 200
}}

The '''University of Wisconsin System'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM |url=https://doa.wi.gov/budget/SBO/2009-11%20285%20UWS%20Executive%20Budget.pdf |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=State of Wisconsin Department of Administration}}</ref> is a state public [[university system]] in the [[United States|U.S.]] state of [[Wisconsin]]. It is one of the largest public higher-education systems in the country, enrolling more than 160,000 [[university student|students]] each year and employing approximately 41,000 faculty and staff statewide.<ref name="Enrollment"/><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Faculty & Staff |url=https://www.wisconsin.edu/accountability/faculty-and-staff/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Universities of Wisconsin |language=en-US}}</ref> The system is headquartered in the state capital of [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]].

The University of Wisconsin System comprises two major [[doctoral]] research universities, eleven other comprehensive universities, and eight two-year branch campuses. At its peak, the system had 14 two-year colleges, of which six have since been shut down. When comparing state and local funding per student given to two-year institutions, Wisconsin ranked 4th in the nation in 2023. This was in contrast to four-year institutions where Wisconsin ranked 42nd. <ref>{{Cite web |title=State Higher Education Finance (SHEF) Report|url=https://shef.sheeo.org/report/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=State Higher Education Finance |language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Refimprove-section|date=October 2023}}
The present-day University of Wisconsin System was created on October 11, 1971, by Chapter 100, Laws of 1971, which combined the former University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin State Universities systems into an enlarged University of Wisconsin System. The final legislation passed in May 1974, combining two chapters of the Wisconsin statutes. The merger took effect July 9, 1974.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-01-01 |title=University of Wisconsin System Overview |url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/lfb/informational_papers/january_2003/0036_university_of_wisconsin_system_overview_informational_paper_36.pdf |access-date=2025-03-30 |author=John Stott |language=en}}</ref>

=== Former University of Wisconsin ===
The University of Wisconsin was created by the state constitution in 1848, and held its first classes in Madison in 1849.

In 1956, pressed by the growing demand for a large public university that offered graduate programs in Milwaukee, Wisconsin's largest city, Wisconsin lawmakers merged [[Wisconsin State College of Milwaukee]] (WSCM) and the [[University of Wisconsin–Extension]]'s Milwaukee division as the [[University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee]]. The new campus comprised the WSCM campus near the lakefront and the UW extension in downtown Milwaukee.

Starting in the 1940s, freshman-sophomore centers were opened across the state. In 1968, the [[Green Bay, Wisconsin|Green Bay]] center was upgraded to a full-fledged four-year institution as the [[University of Wisconsin–Green Bay]], while the [[Kenosha, Wisconsin|Kenosha]] and [[Racine, Wisconsin|Racine]] centers were merged as the [[University of Wisconsin–Parkside]]. By 1971, the University of Wisconsin system had campuses at Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay and Kenosha/[[Somers, Wisconsin|Somers]], together with 10 freshman-sophomore centers and the statewide [[University of Wisconsin–Extension]].<ref name="History">[http://www.wisconsin.edu/about/history.htm History and Organization of the University of Wisconsin System] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070202182105/http://www.wisconsin.edu/about/history.htm |date=2007-02-02 }}. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.</ref> The total enrollment of the University of Wisconsin system at that time was 69,554. The [[Governing boards of colleges and universities in the United States|Board of Regents]] of the University of Wisconsin system comprise ten members, nine of whom were appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate for nine-year terms. The tenth was the [[Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin|State Superintendent of Public Instruction]], who served ''[[ex officio]]'' on both the University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin State University boards.

=== Former Wisconsin State Universities ===
In 1866, the state legislature established a [[normal school]] at [[Platteville, Wisconsin|Platteville]]—the first of eight teacher-training schools across the state. In 1911, the legislature permitted the normal schools to offer two years of post-high school work in art, liberal arts and sciences, pre-law, and pre-medicine. The broadened curriculum proved popular and soon accounted for over one-third of the normal schools' enrollment. In 1920, the [[Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching]] issued a report on "The Professional Education of Teachers of American Public Schools", which attacked such programs, arguing that normal schools should not deviate from their purpose as trainers of teachers. When the Milwaukee Normal School (MNS) persisted with its popular enhanced curriculum, the regents of the Normal School system, the legislature, and the governor all became involved. MNS President Carroll G. Pearse was forced to resign in 1923, and the regents ordered the discontinuation of non-teacher-education programs. The issue was not settled, though; public pressure for expanded offerings at normal schools continued to grow, and education professionals asserted that traditional two-year curricula in teacher training were inadequate.

In 1926, the regents repurposed the Normal Schools as "State Teachers Colleges", offering a four-year course of study leading to a Bachelor of Education degree that incorporated significant general education at all levels. The thousands of returning World War II veterans in Wisconsin needed more college choices for their studies under the [[G.I. Bill]], and popular demand pushed the State Teachers College system Regents to once again allow the teacher training institutions to offer bachelor's degrees in liberal arts and fine arts. In 1951 the state teachers colleges were redesignated as "Wisconsin State Colleges," offering a full four-year liberal arts curriculum. In 1955, the Stout Institute in [[Menomonie, Wisconsin|Menomonie]], which had been founded as a private engineering school in 1891 and was sold to the state in 1911, was merged into the Wisconsin State Colleges system; it had previously been governed by a separate state board of regents.

The state colleges were all granted university status as "Wisconsin State Universities" in 1964 (with the exception of [[Wisconsin State College-Milwaukee]], which had become part of the University of Wisconsin in 1956).

As of 1971, the Wisconsin State Universities comprised nine public universities ([[University of Wisconsin–Platteville|Platteville]], [[University of Wisconsin–Whitewater|Whitewater]], [[University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh|Oshkosh]], [[University of Wisconsin–River Falls|River Falls]], [[University of Wisconsin–Stout|Stout]] (in Menomonie), [[University of Wisconsin–Superior|Superior]], [[University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point|Stevens Point]], [[University of Wisconsin–La Crosse|La Crosse]], and [[University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire|Eau Claire]]) and four freshman-sophomore branch campuses, with a total enrollment of 64,148. The board was made up of 14 members, 13 of whom were appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate for five-year terms. The 14th was the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

=== Merger ===
The University of Wisconsin system merged with the Wisconsin State University system in 1971 to create today's University of Wisconsin System. The 1971 merger law approved by the State Senate combined the two higher education systems in Wisconsin under a single Board of Regents, creating a system with 13 universities, 14 freshman-sophomore centers (as [[University of Wisconsin Colleges]]), and a statewide extension with offices in all 72 counties. Each university is named "University of Wisconsin–" followed by the location or name. Each two-year college was named "University of Wisconsin–" followed by the city and/or county in which it is located. The move, intended to enhance the University of Wisconsin's prestige and influence, was resisted by some parties concerned with a possible [[brand dilution]].<ref name="History" />

The Board of the University of Wisconsin System includes 18 members, 16 of whom are appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate. Of these 16 members, 14 serve staggered, seven-year terms. The remaining two are two-year positions filled by current University of Wisconsin System students. The two ''ex officio'' members are the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the president or a designee of the [[Wisconsin Technical College System]] Board.<ref name="History" />

=== 2018 restructuring ===
In October 2017, University of Wisconsin System president Ray Cross publicly proposed restructuring the University of Wisconsin System to bring the UW Colleges under the control of their nearest comprehensive university, creating regional two-year campuses within the system.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Wisconsin merger plan stokes controversy, but some see upside |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/10/13/wisconsin-merger-plan-stokes-controversy-some-see-upside |access-date=2017-10-21 |website=Inside Higher Ed}}</ref> The proposal also included splitting UW–Extension between University of Wisconsin–Madison and University of Wisconsin System administration. [[University of Wisconsin Colleges Online]], which was operating as an additional campus of University of Wisconsin Colleges, would be relocated under University of Wisconsin System administration. Cross announced this proposal without consulting shared governance groups or administrators. System administration argued that the merger would save money.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url= http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/education/2017/10/10/uw-system-propose-merging-two-and-four-year-campuses-cut-costs-raise-graduation-numbers/751622001/|title=UW System will propose merging two- and four-year campuses to cut costs, raise graduation numbers|work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]|access-date=2017-10-21|language=en}}</ref> Critics said the merger was being rushed without input from the campuses and that the system was buckling to political pressure from the state.<ref name=":1" /> The proposal was approved by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents in their November 2017 meeting, and implementation began July 1, 2018.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wpr.org/uw-regents-approve-merging-system-campuses|title=UW Regents Approve Merging System Campuses|website=[[Wisconsin Public Radio]]|date=9 November 2017|language=en|access-date=2017-11-19}}</ref>

=== 2023–present: Branch campus closures ===
{{Main|Closures of the University of Wisconsin branch campuses}}
In 2023, [[University of Wisconsin–Platteville Richland]] shut down, marking the first time a University of Wisconsin campus has closed since University of Wisconsin–Medford in 1980. Following this closure, [[Closures of the University of Wisconsin branch campuses|four other University of Wisconsin branch campuses have closed]]. Additionally, one campus has gone entirely online and another has stopped using several of its campus buildings. Many have expressed concerns about the future of the Wisconsin Idea following these closures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kremer |first=Rich |date=2024-04-25 |title=UW to vacate Richland campus 1 year after college classes ended |url=https://www.wpr.org/news/uw-vacate-richland-campus-college-classes-ended |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=WPR |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kremer |first1=Rich |date=November 22, 2022 |title=In-person classes ended at UW-Platteville Richland campus July 1 |url=https://www.wpr.org/uw-platteville-richland-campus-july-1-close-in-person |access-date=November 22, 2022 |work=[[Wisconsin Public Radio]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-13 |title=UW-Oshkosh to shut down Fox Cities campus amid enrollment plunge |url=https://apnews.com/article/uw-wisconsin-oshkosh-closing-81c25ab9b12226e45758095c20a9897d |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

== Campuses ==
=== Main campuses ===
{{OSM Location map      
| nolabels = 0  
| coord = {{coord|44.64|-89.88}}
| zoom = 6
| width = 300
| height = 325
| caption = Main campuses
| auto-caption=1
| shape1=n-circle
| shape-outline1=white
|shape-color1 = dark blue| label1 = Madison| mark-title1=[[University of Wisconsin–Madison|Madison]]| mark-coord1 = {{coord|43.0750|-89.4172}}| label-pos1 = right| label-color1 = black
|shape-color2 = dark blue| label2 = Milwaukee| mark-title2=[[University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee|Milwaukee]]| mark-coord2 = {{coord|43.0750|-87.8829}}| label-pos2 = right| label-color2 = black
|shape-color3 = dark blue| label3 = Oshkosh| mark-title3=[[University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh|Oshkosh]]| mark-coord3 = {{coord|44.0267|-88.5508}}| label-pos3 = left| label-color3 = black
|shape-color4 = dark blue| label4 = Whitewater| mark-title4=[[University of Wisconsin–Whitewater|Whitewater]]| mark-coord4 = {{coord|42.8383|-88.7432}}| label-pos4 = left| label-color4 = black
|shape-color5 = dark blue| label5 = La Crosse| mark-title5=[[University of Wisconsin–La Crosse|La Crosse]]| mark-coord5 = {{coord|43.8155|-91.2310}}| label-pos5 = left| label-color5 = black
|shape-color6 = dark blue| label6 = Eau Claire| mark-title6=[[University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire|Eau Claire]]| mark-coord6 = {{coord|44.7990|-91.4993}}| label-pos6 = right| label-color6 = black
|shape-color7 = dark blue| label7 = Green Bay| mark-title7=[[University of Wisconsin–Green Bay|Green Bay]]| mark-coord7 = {{coord|44.5300|-87.9208}}| label-pos7 = top| label-color7 = black
|shape-color8 = dark blue| label8 = Stevens Point| mark-title8=[[University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point|Stevens Point]]| mark-coord8 = {{coord|44.5251|-89.5681}}| label-pos8 = bottom| label-color8 = black
|shape-color9 = dark blue| label9 = Stout| mark-title9=[[University of Wisconsin–Stout|Stout]]| mark-coord9 = {{coord|44.8697|-91.9278}}| label-pos9 = top| label-color9 = black
|shape-color10 = dark blue| label10 = Platteville| mark-title10=[[University of Wisconsin–Platteville|Platteville]]| mark-coord10 = {{coord|42.7330|-90.4880}}| label-pos10 = left| label-color10 = black
|shape-color11 = dark blue| label11 = River Falls| mark-title11=[[University of Wisconsin–River Falls|River Falls]]| mark-coord11 = {{coord|44.8532|-92.6226}}{{!}}| label-pos11 = bottom| label-color11 = black
|shape-color12 = dark blue| label12 = Parkside | mark-title12=[[University of Wisconsin–Parkside|Parkside]]| mark-coord12 = {{coord|42.6444|-87.8525}}| label-pos12 = bottom| label-color12 = black
|shape-color13 = dark blue| label13 = Superior | mark-title13=[[University of Wisconsin–Superior|Superior]]| mark-coord13 = {{coord|46.7181|-92.0900}}| label-pos13 = bottom| label-color13 = black
|float = right}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
!Campus
!Founded
! data-sort-type="number" |Enrollment<br>{{small|(Fall 2023)}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-30 |title=Enrollments |url=https://www.wisconsin.edu/education-reports-statistics/enrollments/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=Education Reports & Statistics |language=en-US}}</ref>
!Endowment<br>{{small|(2021–22)}}<br>{{small|(millions)}}<ref>As of June 30, 2021. {{cite web |year=2021 |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY21 to FY22 |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Nacubo/Documents/research/2022-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL.ashx?la=en&hash=362DC3F9BDEB1DF0C22B05D544AD24D1C44E318D |access-date=2023-05-31 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and Commonfund Institute}}</ref>
!Athletic affiliation
!Athletic nickname<br><small>(Conference)</small>
! data-sort-type="number" |''[[U.S. News & World Report|U.S. News]]'' Rank<br>([[Midwestern United States|Midwest]] 2024)<ref>{{cite web |year=2023 |title=Best Regional Universities Midwest Rankings |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/regional-universities-midwest?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc |access-date=October 17, 2023 |magazine=U.S. News & World Report}}</ref>
! data-sort-type="number" |[[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|Carnegie]] Classification<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wisconsin Institutions |url=https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/institutions/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=[[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|[[File:UW-Bascom Hall 10-12-2011 066 (6937357125).jpg|130x130px]] 
[[University of Wisconsin–Madison|'''Madison''']]
|1848
|50,335
|{{nts|4,000.0|prefix=$}}
|[[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[NCAA Division I|D-I]]<br><small>([[Football Bowl Subdivision|FBS]])</small>
|[[Wisconsin Badgers|Badgers]]<br><small>([[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]])</small>
|35 (national)
|[[List of research universities in the United States#Universities classified as "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity"|R1: Doctoral Universities<br>Very high research activity]]
|-
|[[File:UWM Mitchell hall.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee|Milwaukee]]'''
|1956
|22,703
|{{nts|262.0|prefix=$}}
|NCAA D-I<br><small>(non-football)</small>
|[[Milwaukee Panthers|Panthers]]<br><small>([[Horizon League|Horizon]])</small>
|332 (national)
|R1: Doctoral Universities<br>Very high research activity
|-
|[[File:HarringtonUWOshkosh.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh|Oshkosh]]'''
|1871
|13,778
|{{nts|22.0|prefix=$}}
|NCAA [[NCAA Division III|D-III]]
|[[Wisconsin–Oshkosh Titans|Titans]]<br><small>[[Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference|(WIAC)]]</small>
| nowrap="" |332 (national)
|Doctoral Universities<br>Doctoral/Professional Universities
|-
|[[File:Image Old Main.jpeg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Whitewater|Whitewater]]'''
|1868
|11,522
|
|NCAA D-III
|[[Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks|Warhawks]]<br><small>(WIAC)</small>
|43
|Master's Universities<br>Larger Programs
|-
|[[File:Morris Hall University of Wisconsin-La Crosse near Wing Tech Center Building.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–La Crosse|La Crosse]]'''
|1909
|10,275
|{{nts|45.9|prefix=$}}
|NCAA D-III
|[[Wisconsin–La Crosse Eagles|Eagles]]<br><small>(WIAC)</small>
|249 (national)
|Master's Universities<br>Larger Programs
|-
|[[File:Eau Claire Wisconsin-UWEC looking northeast.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire|Eau Claire]]'''
|1916
|9,949
|{{nts|80.5|prefix=$}}
|NCAA D-III
|[[Wisconsin–Eau Claire Blugolds|Blugolds]]<br><small>(WIAC)</small>
| nowrap="" |21
|Master's Universities<br>Medium Programs
|-
|[[File:UW-Green Bay Campus Photo.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Green Bay|Green Bay]]'''
|1965
|10,338
|
|NCAA D-I<br><small>(non-football)</small>
|[[Green Bay Phoenix|Phoenix]]<br><small>(Horizon)</small>
|60
|Master's Universities<br>Medium Programs
|-
|[[File:UWSP Old Main.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point|Stevens Point]]'''
|1894
|8,184
|
|NCAA D-III
|[[Wisconsin–Stevens Point Pointers|Pointers]]<br><small>(WIAC)</small>
|47
|Master's Universities<br>Medium Programs
|-
|[[File:UW Stout MSC.JPG|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Stout|Stout]]'''
|1891
|6,938
|{{nts|64.5|prefix=$}}
|NCAA D-III
|[[Wisconsin–Stout Blue Devils|Blue Devils]]<br><small>(WIAC)</small>
|67
|Master's Universities<br>Larger Programs
|-
|[[File:Ullsvik Hall.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Platteville|Platteville]]'''
|1866
|6,700
|
|NCAA D-III
|[[Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers|Pioneers]]<br><small>(WIAC)</small>
|67
|Master's Universities<br>Larger Programs
|-
|[[File:2009-0620-UW-RiverFalls-SouthHall.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–River Falls|River Falls]]'''
|1874
|5,058
|
|NCAA D-III
|[[Wisconsin–River Falls Falcons|Falcons]]<br><small>(WIAC)</small>
|60
|Master's Universities<br>Medium Programs
|-
|[[File:University of Wisconsin-Parkside Student Center.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Parkside|Parkside]]'''<br>{{Small|([[Kenosha, Wisconsin|Kenosha]])}}
|1968
|4,030
|{{nts|5.6|prefix=$}}
|NCAA [[NCAA Division II|D-II]]
|[[Parkside Rangers|Rangers]]<br><small>([[Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference|GLIAC]])</small>
|103
|Master's Universities<br>Medium Programs
|-
|[[File:Swenson Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Superior|Superior]]'''
|1893
|2,721
|
|NCAA D-III
|[[Wisconsin–Superior Yellowjackets|Yellowjackets]]<br><small>([[Upper Midwest Athletic Conference|UMAC]])</small>
|124
|Master's Universities<br>Medium Programs
|}

=== Branch campuses ===
{{Excerpt|Closures of the University of Wisconsin branch campuses|only=template|templates=OSM Location map|hat=no}}

==== Current ====
{{color box|#ffa0a0}} Set to close
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
!Campus
!Parent<br>campus
!Founded
! data-sort-type="number" |Enrollment<br>{{small|(Fall 2022)}}<ref name=Enrollment />
!Athletic nickname<br><small>(Conference)</small>
|-
|[[File:WIMap-doton-Rice Lake.png|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire – Barron County|Barron County]]'''<br>{{Small|([[Rice Lake, Wisconsin|Rice Lake]])}}
|[[University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire|'''Eau Claire''']]
|1966
|455
|Blugolds
|-bgcolor=#ffa0a0
|-
|-bgcolor=#ffa0a0
|[[File:UWFoxValleyMall.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus|Fox Cities]]'''<br>{{Small|([[Menasha, Wisconsin|Menasha]])}}
|[[University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh|'''Oshkosh''']]
|1933
|605
|Cyclones<br><small>(WCC)</small>
|-
|[[File:UniversityOfWisconsinManitowocEntranceJuly2007.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus|Manitowoc]]'''
|[[University of Wisconsin–Green Bay|'''Green Bay''']]
|1933
|373
|Blue Devils
|-
|-bgcolor=#ffa0a0
|[[File:UWGB MarinetteMainBuilding.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, Marinette Campus|Marinette]]'''
|[[University of Wisconsin–Green Bay|'''Green Bay''']]
|1935
|242
|Buccaneers
|-
|[[File:UW Sheboygan Main Entrance December 2011.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus|Sheboygan]]'''
|[[University of Wisconsin–Green Bay|'''Green Bay''']]
|1933
|440
|Wombats

|-bgcolor=#ffa0a0
|[[File:University of Wisconsin–Waukesha.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee at Waukesha|Waukesha]]'''
|[[University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee|'''Milwaukee''']]
|1966
|790
|Panthers
|-
|[[File:UW Baraboo 04 (Science Building).jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Platteville Baraboo Sauk County|Baraboo Sauk County]]'''
|[[University of Wisconsin–Platteville|'''Platteville''']]
|1968
|179
|Fighting Spirits<br><small>(WCC)</small>
|-
|[[File:2009-0620-WI016-UWmarathon.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point at Wausau|Wausau]]'''
|[[University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point|'''Stevens Point''']]
|1933
|404
|Huskies<br><small>(WCC)</small>
|-
|[[File:UW-Stevens Point at Marshfield.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point at Marshfield|Marshfield]]'''
|[[University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point|'''Stevens Point''']]
|1963
|344
|Marauders<br><small>(WCC)</small>
|-
|[[File:WIMap-doton-Janesville.png|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Whitewater at Rock County|Rock County]]'''<br>{{Small|([[Janesville, Wisconsin|Janesville]])}}
|[[University of Wisconsin–Whitewater|'''Whitewater''']]
|1966
|593
|Rattlers
|}

==== Former ====
{{Main|Closures of the University of Wisconsin branch campuses}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
!Campus
!Parent<br>campus
!Founded
!Closed
! data-sort-type="number" |Final<br>enrollment
!Nickname
|-
|[[File:MelvillHall.jpg|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Platteville Richland|Richland]]'''<br>{{Small|([[Richland Center, Wisconsin|Richland Center]])}}
|'''[[University of Wisconsin–Platteville|Platteville]]'''
|1967
|2023
|60
|Roadrunners
|-
|[[File:UW Fond du Lac Main Entrance.JPG|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, Fond du Lac Campus|Fond du Lac]]'''
|[[University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh|'''Oshkosh''']]
|1968
|2024
|258
|Falcons<br><small>[[Wisconsin Collegiate Conference|(WCC)]]</small>
|-
|[[File:WIMap-doton-West Bend.png|130x130px]] 
'''[[University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee at Washington County|Washington County]]'''<br>{{Small|([[West Bend, Wisconsin|West Bend]])}}
|[[University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee|'''Milwaukee''']]
|1968
|2024
|
|Wildcats
|-
|[[File:WIMap-doton-Medford.png|130x130px]]
'''Medford'''
|[[University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point|'''Stevens Point''']]
|1968
|1980
|90<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meyerhofer |first=Kelly |date=2020-02-28 |title=18 months into UW merger, small, rural campuses still struggling to find students |url=https://madison.com/news/local/education/university/18-months-into-uw-merger-small-rural-campuses-still-struggling-to-find-students/article_49d31545-7aee-5432-8e5f-a761c0ada14a.html |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Wisconsin State Journal |language=en}}</ref>
|<small>[[Wisconsin Collegiate Conference|(WCC)]]</small><ref>{{Cite web |title=Medford Center, University of Wisconsin Catalog 1972 - 1974 |url=https://www.uww.edu/documents/registrar/Catalogs/UW-Rock%20County/1972-1974%20Colleges%20Course%20Catalog%20%28Medford%29.pdf}}</ref>
|}

== Branding ==
Since the 1971 union of the universities and colleges under the University of Wisconsin System name, there has been a controversy over the arrangement. The name "University of Wisconsin" is often used to refer to the Madison campus, which has made it difficult for other institutions to make names for themselves. Conversely, many who are connected to UW–Madison have claimed that having so many institutions share the "University of Wisconsin" title has caused a form of [[brand dilution]].<ref>Klotsche, J. Martin. ''The University of Wisconsin–-Milwaukee: An Urban University'', pp. 1–40.</ref>

In 2006 and 2009, the students at UW–Milwaukee (UWM) voted on whether the school should change its name to something that did not carry the UW name (such as Wisconsin State University or University of Milwaukee). In both cases, a [[plurality (voting)|plurality]] of students voted to retain the name "University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee," but over 50% were in favor of a different name.<ref>Jones, Meg. [http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=419946 Referendum "UWM students rebuff change: New names such as Wisconsin State University fail in referendum"] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070929124320/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=419946 |date=2007-09-29 }}, ''[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]'', April 30, 2006.</ref> Since 2004, the UWM athletic department has simply referred to the school's athletic teams as the [[Milwaukee Panthers]]. UW–Green Bay has since done the same and are officially the [[Green Bay Phoenix]]. Most other UW system programs are commonly referred to by just the city name as they all play in the same conference, the [[Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]] (WIAC), making the "UW" redundant. The exceptions are UW–Parkside, who plays in the Division II [[Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]] and is most often referred to as simply "Parkside", and UW-Superior, who plays most athletics in the [[Upper Midwest Athletic Conference]], who go by UWS or Wisconsin–Superior.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uwsyellowjackets.com/|title=University of Wisconsin-Superior Athletics - Official Athletics Website|website=University of Wisconsin-Superior Athletics}}</ref>

In October 2023, system president Jay Rothman announced that the system would be rebranded as "Universities of Wisconsin", adopting a new logo and color scheme. The legal name of the system would remain unchanged.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wethal |first=Kimberly |date=2023-10-11 |title='UW System' no more; Wisconsin is rebranding its collection of 13 universities |url=https://madison.com/news/local/education/university/uw-system-universities-new-name/article_0c003876-679d-11ee-a1ef-1b1238783aa0.html |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=Wisconsin State Journal |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==

*[[List of state and territorial universities in the United States]]
*[[University of Wisconsin Credit Union]]
*[[Wisconsin Technical College System]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{ccat}}
{{Wikisource|Portal:University of Wisconsin}} 
* {{oweb}}

{{University of Wisconsin}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:University of Wisconsin System| ]]
[[Category:Public universities and colleges in Wisconsin| ]]
[[Category:Public university systems in the United States|Wisconsin]]