(The Center Square) – The University of Wisconsin System is asking state lawmakers for $190 million in additional funding in order to freeze tuition for two years and cap the increase at the rate of inflation for the two next years.

The proposal is part of the university system’s biennial budget request from state lawmakers. UW leadership recently asked for an additional $90 million of funding to use toward training 35,000 new healthcare professionals over a 10-year span.

“This proposal means four years of predictable tuition with costs that remain well below inflation,” Universities of Wisconsin Regent President Kyle Weatherly said in a statement. “It represents an important commitment to Wisconsin families and helps ensure the Universities of Wisconsin remain the Midwest leader in tuition affordability.”

University leaders said that the pledge would mean that students entering the school in fall 2027 would see tuition decline related to inflation over that span.

University leaders also proposed what they call Wisconsin Work and Learn, part of the university budget proposals that regents will vote on this week.

The universities are hoping to create 300,000 career-ready workers, increase the skills of 1 million workers for better jobs and create 2,500 new businesses over a decade.

“Our budget will offer opportunities to invest in people and education that will help Wisconsin meet its workforce challenges, while providing targeted funds to help grow the next generation of businesses,” system Interim President Renée Wachter said in a statement.