Undergraduate resident tuition at UW-Madison costs about $10,800. The rate at most other UW campuses is a couple thousand dollars cheaper. Republicans on Thursday argued that the freeze cannot continue in perpetuity and said UW has been more transparent about its finances in recent years. They suggested students take on a second job to help pay bills. âThereâs no reason that my father, the garbageman, has to subsidize my accounting degree, right?â Kooyenga said, while also acknowledging that their plan will be âtough to explain politically.â UW leaders praised the committeeâs decision declining to extend the freeze. Regent president Drew Petersen described it as a âpositive development in the relationship between the UW System and the legislature,â and interim System President Tommy Thompson said the budget offers schools more flexibility.