Madison, Wisconsin – Wisconsin is celebrating the 26th annual Wisconsin Private College Week, July 11-16, 2022. This year’s event provides opportunities for students and parents to learn more about Wisconsin’s 23 private, nonprofit colleges and universities, and receive tips about selecting a college, understanding financial aid, and more.
Wisconsin Private College Week is sponsored by the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU). Dr. Rolf Wegenke, WAICU President, explains that the purpose of Wisconsin Private College Week is to highlight the accessibility and affordability of Wisconsin’s private colleges. “It makes sense to learn more about colleges and universities when selecting a higher learning home for the next four years,” Wegenke explained.
Unique aspects of Wisconsin’s private colleges:
- Affordability: For the 2020-21year, the average out-of-pocket tuition (sticker price minus financial aid) was $4,236;
- On-time graduation: Students attending Wisconsin private colleges have a 49 percent greater chance of graduating in four years than they would at a public institution; this means students enter the workforce sooner and graduate with less debt;
- Quality education: Personal attention from faculty and staff is also emphasized; the average class size of the WAICU-member colleges is just 16 students. These colleges embrace and respond to student interests, with over 470 majors; and
- Diversity: Low-income students constitute 30 percent of private colleges’ student body (compared to 23 percent at four-year publics). Private colleges’ enrollment is 28 percent students of color (compared to 19 percent at four-year public universities in Wisconsin).
Governor Tony Evers issued a Proclamation regarding Wisconsin Private College Week in which he said, “Our private, nonprofit colleges and universities are committed to ensuring affordability for students of all social and economic backgrounds and as members of WAICU … they are leading the nation in controlling college costs to expand educational opportunity.”
During Wisconsin Private College Week, students and family members are invited to participate in virtual and small, in-person events at each institution––including tours, financial aid and admissions sessions, faculty and student panels, programs about specific majors, and campus life information. To learn more or to arrange a campus visit, go to: wisconsinsprivatecolleges.org/visit Students participating in Private College Week events will be asked to complete an evaluation form to be entered to win $100 gift cards or a pair of AirPods.
WAICU members include Alverno College, Bellin College, Beloit College, Cardinal Stritch University, Carroll University, Carthage College, Concordia University Wisconsin, Edgewood College, Herzing University, Lakeland University, Lawrence University, Marian University, Marquette University, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Mount Mary University, Nashotah House, Northland College, Ripon College, St. Norbert College, Viterbo University, and Wisconsin Lutheran College.
