In a national report on higher education released Wednesday, the state of Wisconsin received a B+ grade overall, but an F in affordability.

Measuring Up 2006, released by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, measured all 50 states as a whole and graded them in five areas: preparation, participation, affordability, completion and benefits.

Doug Bradley, communications director for the University of Wisconsin System, said he's happy with the high marks in particular categories, but says Wisconsin has high standards.

"We're kind of high-achievers in Wisconsin," Bradley said. "The state makes an extraordinary commitment to education; we'd like straight A's."

Bradley said Wisconsin would strive to improve.

"While we're pleased, we know there's more to be done," he said. "We'd like to make more progress."

Wisconsin did receive an A for completion, which measures how long it takes students to receive the certificates they work for.

"In the UW system, retaining students and graduating them in a timely manner is something the regents watch very carefully," said Sharon Wilhelm, associate vice president of policy analysis and research for the UW System. "They have had many initiatives surrounding that."

Wisconsin was one of 43 states to receive a failing grade for the affordability of attending college, which Bradley said "could send an alarm to us and others." Minnesota was the only state in the Midwest to receive a passing grade.

Still, Bradley said the UW system is prepared to turn things in the opposite direction, and that he would like to see Wisconsin become one of the top states for affordability the next time the ratings come out, which will occur in 2008.

With continual decreases in state funding and heavier dependence on private funds, public universities around the country have been struggling to provide their students with affordable higher education, a sentiment echoed by both UW System President Kevin Reilly and UW Chancellor John Wiley.

Wilhelm said UW System officials were working intensely to make it easier for students in Wisconsin to attend college.

"The UW Board of Regents have definitely been placing increased financial aid as one of their top priorities," she added.

In addition, tuition rates for UW schools have been a topic of heated debate during this year's gubernatorial match-up between Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle and U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Wis with both candidates offering new ideas to help combat the growing problem.

Luke Punzenberger, spokesperson for Green's campaign, said Green will unveil his "UW Reform Agenda" today in Appleton. In it, Green will detail plans for changes he would propose for UW schools. His highest priority for UW is making the system more accessible for state residents.

Doyle's campaign office did not return phone calls, but in an interview with The Badger Herald last week, Anne Lupardus, Doyle's deputy press secretary, said affordability was also Doyle's biggest priority for the UW System.

"Gov. Doyle is working to make higher education affordable," Lupardus said. "He has doubled the amount of financial aid available."

Bradley said the Board of Regents has proposed the Wisconsin Covenant as part of its biennium budget. The Covenant would allow eighth graders to make a pledge to stay on the right track, take college preparatory classes and maintain good grades in exchange for guaranteed financial aid.

"That's moving in the right direction," he added. "It's sort of a vision we're trying to get going."

In addition, Bradley said the latest budget proposal "includes requested tuition increases at the lowest levels in 25 years."

In the other three areas, Wisconsin received a B+ for preparation, how states prepare their students for higher education; an A- for participation, measuring if state residents have the opportunity to enroll in college; and a B- for benefits, a state benefits from a higher educated population.

Of the eight states with Big Ten schools in it, Wisconsin and Iowa tied for the highest overall grade. Michigan, home of two Big Ten, received the lowest grade with a C-.

Around the rest of the nation, Louisiana and New Mexico received failing grades overall, while Massachusetts, New Jersey and Utah were the only schools to garner A's.