FYI- Cost shouldn't really be a factor for acquiring Windows for your students. The Microsoft Windows operating systems are free for students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Ask around- your university should have a MSDNAA repository for students to check out Windows for free. They're also aloud to keep their license once they graduate. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/academic/dd759402.aspx If you can't find multiple platform software that meets your needs, perhaps virtualization isn't a bad idea.

It's a "Jump to Conclusions mat". You see, you have this mat, with different CONCLUSIONS written on it that you could JUMP TO.