The University of Wisconsin is the system of public universities in the state of Wisconsin. It is one of the largest public higher education systems in the country, enrolling more than 160,000 students each year and employing more than 32,000 faculty and staff statewide. The University of Wisconsin System comprises two doctoral research universities, eleven comprehensive universities, thirteen freshman-sophomore colleges, and statewide UW-Extension.

History

Main article: Former University of Wisconsin Former University of Wisconsin

Main article: Wisconsin State Universities Former Wisconsin State Universities
The 1971 merger law approved by the senate combined the two higher education systems in Wisconsin under a single Board of Regents, creating a system with 13 universities, 14 (now 13) freshman-sophomore centers (now colleges), and 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 is named "University of Wisconsin-" followed by the city and/or county in which it is located.
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-term position filled by current UW 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.

The University of Wisconsin System
There are two research universities in the University of Wisconsin System that grant doctoral degrees: University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Doctoral granting institutions

Main article: University of Wisconsin-Madison UW–Madison

Main article: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee UW–Milwaukee
There are eleven comprehensive universities in the University of Wisconsin System that grant baccalaureate and master's degrees:

UW–Eau Claire
UW–Green Bay
UW–La Crosse
UW–Oshkosh
UW–Parkside
UW–Platteville
UW–River Falls
UW–Stevens Point
UW–Stout
UW–Superior
UW–Whitewater Comprehensive universities
UW Colleges is an institution of the University of Wisconsin System that grants associate degrees on thirteen local campuses. The UW Colleges also grants associate degrees through its online program. The UW-Extension operates extension courses statewide through offices in each of Wisconsin's 72 counties.

Notable alumni

University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics
University of Wisconsin Credit Union