Wisconsin and federal policymakers are rightly focused on making higher education more affordable and accessible. One existing tool is already delivering powerful results: collaborative purchasing among Wisconsin’s private, nonprofit colleges. 

Affordability Challenge 

In 2026, Wisconsin’s private, nonprofit colleges face a perfect storm of financial pressures. Institutions must manage rising operational costs, from technology infrastructure to employee benefits, while integrating new tools such as artificial intelligence into teaching and learning. 

Every dollar spent on operations is a dollar that cannot support student aid, enhance student support, or reduce fees. That is where collaboration makes a measurable difference. 

How Collaborative Purchasing Works 

Unlike public universities with centralized procurement, private colleges traditionally negotiate individually with vendors. WAICU changes this dynamic by pooling the purchasing power of member institutions. When twenty colleges negotiate together for office supplies, technology, employee benefits, legal services, and more, they secure pricing and terms no single institution could achieve alone. 

The model is straightforward: WAICU identifies common needs, manages rigorous procurement processes, and negotiates contracts that benefit all members. Colleges save money and administrative time while accessing higher-quality goods and services. 

Measurable Impact on Students 

The numbers are compelling. In 2025 alone, WAICU saved member institutions $14 million through more than forty-five  collaborative programs. Since inception, cumulative savings have exceeded $314 million, and the portfolio continues to expand. 

Recently, WAICU launched a partnership with E&I Cooperative Services, the nation’s only member-owned, nonprofit procurement cooperative focused exclusively on education. This alliance expands available contracts and expertise, creating even more savings opportunities for Wisconsin private colleges. 

These are not abstract institutional savings; they translate directly into affordability for students and families. When a college reduces operational costs by hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, those resources can: 

• Increase institutional financial aid awards
• Hold down or reduce student fees
• Invest in academic programs and student support services
• Maintain tuition rates despite rising costs 

Why This Matters 

As policymakers consider how to support affordable higher education, collaborative purchasing represents a market-based solution that is already working. 

Wisconsin’s private, nonprofit colleges educate nearly 53,000 students, serve as vital workforce drivers in communities across the state, and contribute an estimated $5.4 billion to Wisconsin’s economy. When these institutions operate more efficiently, they can serve more students more affordably, advancing state workforce and economic development goals. 

Collaborative purchasing demonstrates what is possible when institutions work together strategically. It is a model of efficiency, innovation, and shared commitment to affordability that deserves recognition as an important part of Wisconsin’s broader higher education strategy.