This Wikipedia article doesn't really describe this aspect, but as I understand it, the Wisconsin Idea extended to a integrated approach to higher education. T

This Wikipedia article doesn't really describe this aspect, but as I understand it, the Wisconsin Idea extended to a integrated approach to higher education. The technical colleges, numerous university campuses, and the University of Wisconsin Madison worked cooperatively to provide a full range of accessible and desirably higher education opportunities to Wisconsin's students -- and working adults. There's a reason UW Madison has been and continues to be so highly regarded. There was also a greater difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition, with higher requirements to qualify for the latter. Wisconsin was focused on educating Wisconsonites, and bettering the state thereby. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Idea https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Idea Unfortunately, as another commenter mentioned, this lauded and effective system has come under attack by opponents of any sort of public spending and public good. And, as Wisconsin has lost many union and other well-paying jobs, it's become harder to retain domestically educated talent. It would be a shame if the system is destroyed. It's allowed this small, largely rural state to punch significantly above its weight.