# Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 34 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-wisconsin

## Methodology

Bachelor's programs in Wisconsin ranked by outcomes and mobility

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Choosing the right bachelor's program in Wisconsin can shape a student's future. With 34 schools in this ranking, each offers unique opportunities tailored to various needs and aspirations. Graduates from these programs have average earnings of $56,385, illustrating the potential return on investment for students considering their options.

What sets these schools apart is their focus on outcomes that matter: earnings, graduation rates, student debt, and mobility. The data reveals that institutions with higher graduation rates typically correlate with better post-college earnings and lower debt burdens. As you explore the list below, consider how these factors align with your goals for education and career.

For instance, the University of Wisconsin-Madison leads with impressive earnings of $73,792 and an 89% graduation rate, but it also comes with a net price of $17,354. In contrast, the Milwaukee School of Engineering offers even higher earnings at $89,070 but has a lower graduation rate of 69% and a higher net price of $22,453. These differences highlight the trade-offs students must consider as they navigate their academic journeys.

## Key Findings

- University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates earn an average of $73,792.
- The Milwaukee School of Engineering has the highest earnings at $89,070.
- Graduation rates vary significantly, from 89% at UW-Madison to 62% at UW-Whitewater.
- The average student debt among these schools is $20,384.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Milwaukee School of Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/milwaukee-school-of-engineering) | Milwaukee, WI | 69% | $89,070 | $22,453 | $27,000 | 0.3x |
| 2 | [University of Wisconsin-Madison](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison) | Madison, WI | 89% | $73,792 | $17,354 | $20,484 | 0.28x |
| 3 | [Marquette University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/marquette-university) | Milwaukee, WI | 82% | $78,257 | $31,487 | $23,940 | 0.31x |
| 4 | [Beloit College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/beloit-college) | Beloit, WI | 69% | $53,260 | $21,526 | $25,738 | 0.48x |
| 5 | [Carroll University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carroll-university) | Waukesha, WI | 70% | $58,009 | $15,193 | $27,000 | 0.47x |
| 6 | [Saint Norbert College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-norbert-college) | De Pere, WI | 72% | $58,363 | $26,172 | $26,731 | 0.46x |
| 7 | [Maranatha Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maranatha-baptist-university) | Watertown, WI | 65% | $45,593 | $26,005 | $14,143 | 0.31x |
| 8 | [Ripon College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ripon-college) | Ripon, WI | 62% | $54,902 | $20,216 | $27,000 | 0.49x |
| 9 | [Wisconsin Lutheran College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wisconsin-lutheran-college) | Milwaukee, WI | 63% | $54,664 | $23,245 | $26,000 | 0.48x |
| 10 | [Viterbo University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/viterbo-university) | La Crosse, WI | 67% | $55,660 | $21,260 | $25,000 | 0.45x |
| 11 | [University of Wisconsin-La Crosse](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-la-crosse) | La Crosse, WI | 71% | $60,378 | $16,210 | $22,500 | 0.37x |
| 12 | [University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-eau-claire) | Eau Claire, WI | 66% | $58,561 | $16,550 | $20,909 | 0.36x |
| 13 | [University of Wisconsin-Whitewater](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-whitewater) | Whitewater, WI | 62% | $55,356 | $14,158 | $23,188 | 0.42x |
| 14 | [Lawrence University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lawrence-university) | Appleton, WI | 77% | $55,789 | $23,401 | $26,000 | 0.47x |
| 15 | [Mount Mary University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mount-mary-university) | Milwaukee, WI | 50% | $48,745 | $20,144 | $25,288 | 0.52x |
| 16 | [University of Wisconsin-Green Bay](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-green-bay) | Green Bay, WI | 50% | $52,528 | $13,369 | $18,500 | 0.35x |
| 17 | [University of Wisconsin-Platteville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-platteville) | Platteville, WI | 58% | $61,760 | $16,032 | $21,977 | 0.36x |
| 18 | [University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-oshkosh) | Oshkosh, WI | 51% | $55,548 | $14,305 | $21,500 | 0.39x |
| 19 | [University of Wisconsin-Stout](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-stout) | Menomonie, WI | 54% | $58,084 | $17,490 | $23,000 | 0.4x |
| 20 | [University of Wisconsin-River Falls](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-river-falls) | River Falls, WI | 59% | $54,458 | $14,054 | $20,500 | 0.38x |
| 21 | [Edgewood College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/edgewood-college) | Madison, WI | 64% | $59,728 | $26,113 | $24,424 | 0.41x |
| 22 | [Carthage College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carthage-college) | Kenosha, WI | 62% | $56,950 | $26,565 | $26,000 | 0.46x |
| 23 | [University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point) | Stevens Point, WI | 53% | $52,021 | $14,559 | $21,503 | 0.41x |
| 24 | [University of Wisconsin-Parkside](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-parkside) | Kenosha, WI | 40% | $51,129 | $11,772 | $20,492 | 0.4x |
| 25 | [University of Wisconsin-Superior](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-superior) | Superior, WI | 43% | $49,606 | $12,220 | $22,500 | 0.45x |
| 26 | [Alverno College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alverno-college) | Milwaukee, WI | 50% | $53,145 | $22,540 | $27,000 | 0.51x |
| 27 | [Lakeland University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lakeland-university) | Plymouth, WI | 48% | $55,961 | $24,212 | $25,000 | 0.45x |
| 28 | [University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-milwaukee) | Milwaukee, WI | 50% | $54,990 | $15,014 | $23,000 | 0.42x |
| 29 | [Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/milwaukee-institute-of-art-design) | Milwaukee, WI | 65% | $41,174 | $26,541 | $27,000 | 0.66x |
| 30 | [Marian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/marian-university-wi) | Fond Du Lac, WI | 43% | $53,501 | $21,937 | $25,000 | 0.47x |
| 31 | [Concordia University-Wisconsin](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/concordia-university-wisconsin) | Mequon, WI | 66% | $56,075 | $36,201 | $25,750 | 0.46x |
| 32 | [Bellin College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bellin-college) | Green Bay, WI | 68% | $76,222 | $37,408 | $18,000 | 0.24x |
| 33 | [Herzing University-Kenosha](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/herzing-university-kenosha) | Kenosha, WI | 63% | $36,909 | $23,066 | $21,500 | 0.58x |
| 34 | [Herzing University-Brookfield](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/herzing-university-brookfield) | Brookfield, WI | 41% | $36,909 | $20,514 | $21,500 | 0.58x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-wisconsin

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.