Ananth Seshadri
Abstract:
The UW-System faces price controls like none of its peers. This policy brief provides some background for this freeze. It brings the best available evidence to bear on returns to college, investing in the UW-System, and college debt. The UW-System is a critical part of the State of Wisconsin and its significance will continue to rise in an era when the returns to education are at a historic high. While the freeze and the ensuing budget cuts have forced universities to be even more efficient, there are signs of the distortions associated with the state-imposed tuition freeze. It is difficult to maintain a quality University system without state residents paying for modest increases in tuition. This policy brief reviews economic arguments behind removing the freeze on in-state tuition.