Rankings / By State
Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin
- 24
- Schools
- $57,069
- Avg. Earnings
- 62%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,134
- Avg. Net Price
- $24,018
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 24 schools run from $48,745 to $78,257, a 1.6× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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University of Wisconsin-Parkside delivers the most for the money: roughly $51,129 in median earnings against $11,772 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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University of Wisconsin-Parkside is the lowest-cost school here at $11,772 a year in net price.
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University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates 89% of its students, versus a 62% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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University of Wisconsin-Madison carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.28× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- University of Wisconsin-Parkside costs $11,772 a year and Concordia University-Wisconsin costs $36,201. Yet their graduates earn $51,129 and $56,075, nowhere near the $24,429 price gap.
- On value, University of Wisconsin-Parkside beats Marquette University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: University of Wisconsin-Madison finishes 89% of students while University of Wisconsin-Parkside finishes 40%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with University of Wisconsin-Parkside and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $56K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Marquette University #1 overall | $78,257 ▲ +37% vs avg | $31,487 | 82% | 78 |
| 2 Saint Norbert College #2 overall | $58,363 ▲ +2% vs avg | $26,172 | 72% | 72 |
| 3 Wisconsin Lutheran College #3 overall | $54,664 ▼ -4% vs avg | $23,245 | 63% | 72 |
| $53,260 ▼ -7% vs avg | $21,526 | 69% | 72 | |
| $73,792 ▲ +29% vs avg | $17,354 | 89% | 72 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin
This analysis ranks 24 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $57,069 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 62% and an average net price of $20,134.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Wisconsin-Parkside — Net Price: $11,772 | Graduation Rate: 40%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Wisconsin-Madison — 89% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Marquette University — Median alumni earnings: $78,257
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Wisconsin Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Wisconsin?
$55,604
Median earnings (10yr)
63%
Median graduation rate
$20,180
Median net price
1.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Wisconsin, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
Across the 24 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $55,604 ten years after they first enrolled, about $7,604 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 63%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $20,180 a year, with about $24,712 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 27% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.1%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Wisconsin pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $20,180 and median earnings of $55,604 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Marquette University lands at #1 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $78,257 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,487 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Saint Norbert College lands at #2 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $58,363 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,172 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Wisconsin Lutheran College lands at #3 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $54,664 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,245 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Beloit College lands at #4 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $53,260 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,526 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
University of Wisconsin-Madison lands at #5 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $73,792 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,354 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Ripon College lands at #6 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $54,902 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,216 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Carroll University lands at #7 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $58,009 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,193 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Mount Mary University lands at #8 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $48,745 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,144 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Lawrence University lands at #9 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $55,789 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,401 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Edgewood University lands at #10 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $59,728 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,113 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Viterbo University lands at #11 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $55,660 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,260 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Carthage College lands at #12 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $56,950 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,565 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse lands at #13 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $60,378 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,210 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Alverno College lands at #14 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $53,145 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,540 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
River Falls, WI · 82% accepted · $14,054 net
Why it ranks #15
University of Wisconsin-River Falls lands at #15 with a 63/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $54,458 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,054 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire lands at #16 with a 63/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $58,561 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,550 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Platteville, WI · 89% accepted · $16,032 net
Why it ranks #17
University of Wisconsin-Platteville lands at #17 with a 63/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $61,760 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,032 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater lands at #18 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $55,356 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,158 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh lands at #19 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (69/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $55,548 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,305 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Stevens Point, WI · 92% accepted · $14,559 net
Why it ranks #20
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point lands at #20 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $52,021 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,559 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
University of Wisconsin-Parkside lands at #21 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $51,129 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,772 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
University of Wisconsin-Superior lands at #22 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $49,606 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,220 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Marian University lands at #23 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $53,501 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,937 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Concordia University-Wisconsin lands at #24 with a 56/100 composite, led by academic quality (76/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (29/100). Graduates earn a median $56,075 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $36,201 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 24 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When considering a degree in biology, it's essential to weigh your options carefully. In Wisconsin, 24 colleges offer biology programs, each with unique strengths and tradeoffs. Understanding what these schools have in common and how they differ can guide your choice, especially if you're focused on outcomes like career earnings and graduation rates.
The strongest programs stand out in key areas, including post-graduation earnings, graduation rates, student debt, and overall mobility. These factors are crucial for prospective students who want to ensure their investment in education pays off. The list below ranks these Wisconsin schools based on their performance in these categories, helping you identify the best fit for your future.
Take for example the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Marquette University. While both schools lead in earnings—with $73,792 and $78,257 respectively—UW-Madison has a lower net price of $17,354 compared to Marquette's $31,487. This contrast highlights the importance of not just salary potential, but also financial considerations when choosing a school.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 11 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.1%. Alverno College leads the group at 2.7%, with Ripon College (1.5%) and Edgewood University (1.2%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 5.3% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Alverno College leads at 15%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 23.8% across this list. Marquette University posts the highest success rate at 41.6%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.66 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Edgewood University reaches 1.77, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
While reviewing the data, one pattern emerges: the relationship between net price and post-graduation earnings. For instance, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with its lower net price of $17,354, offers a compelling balance of affordability and high earnings potential. In contrast, Marquette's higher price tag of $31,487 does not yield substantially higher earnings, raising questions about the value proposition of such an investment.
Now that you've seen the numbers, it's time to reflect on how they align with your priorities. Consider what aspects matter most to you. Are you willing to take on more debt for a school that offers a higher salary? Or does a lower net price with a solid graduation rate appeal more? Think about location, campus culture, and program fit as you evaluate these options. Each school has different strengths that may complement your goals.
Ultimately, this data highlights the critical link between college choice and future financial stability. A single decision about where to study biology can shape your career trajectory and financial health. As you weigh these schools, remember that the right fit is the one that aligns not just with your academic interests, but also with your financial and personal aspirations.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin ranking? +
Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $78,257 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 82% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Marquette University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $78,257 ten years after enrollment, well above the $57,069 average across the 24 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of Wisconsin-Parkside leads: graduates earn a median $51,129 against net price of about $11,772 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Wisconsin-Madison has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 89%, compared with a 62% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $20,134 a year across the 24 ranked schools with cost data. University of Wisconsin-Parkside is among the most affordable at roughly $11,772. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 24 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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