Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in Wisconsin
- 35
- Schools
- $55,389
- Avg. Earnings
- 59%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,355
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,386
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $25,853 at the low end to $89,070 at the top. That 3.4× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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University of Wisconsin-Parkside offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $51,129 against $11,772 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is College of Menominee Nation, at $8,805 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates 89% of its students, well above the 59% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Bellin College: graduates owe only 0.24× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. College of Menominee Nation ($8,805/yr) and Bellin College ($37,408/yr) produce graduates earning $25,853 and $76,222 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $28,603 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, University of Wisconsin-Parkside outperforms Milwaukee School of Engineering: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates 89% of its students versus 22% at Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with University of Wisconsin-Parkside and University of Wisconsin-Madison. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
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 $55K 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 Milwaukee School of Engineering #1 overall | $89,070 ▲ +61% vs avg | $22,453 | 69% | 71 |
| 2 Marquette University #2 overall | $78,257 ▲ +41% vs avg | $31,487 | 82% | 69 |
| 3 University of Wisconsin-Madison #3 overall | $73,792 ▲ +33% vs avg | $17,354 | 89% | 68 |
| $53,260 ▼ -4% vs avg | $21,526 | 69% | 67 | |
| $58,009 ▲ +5% vs avg | $15,193 | 70% | 66 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Wisconsin
This analysis ranks 35 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $55,389 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 59% and an average net price of $20,355.
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: Milwaukee School of Engineering — Median alumni earnings: $89,070
Our Analysis Found
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?
$55,356
Median earnings (10yr)
62%
Median graduation rate
$20,216
Median net price
1.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Wisconsin serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
The median graduation rate across these 35 schools is 62%. Median graduate earnings reach $55,356 ten years after enrollment, roughly $7,356 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $20,216 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $23,564. Some 30% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.1%.
For Wisconsin, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $20,216 and graduates earning a median of $55,356, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
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
Milwaukee School of Engineering lands at #1 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $89,070 a decade after enrolling, 61% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,453 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
Marquette University lands at #2 with a 69/100 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, 41% 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 #3
University of Wisconsin-Madison lands at #3 with a 68/100 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, 33% 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 #4
Beloit College lands at #4 with a 67/100 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, 4% 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
Carroll University lands at #5 with a 66/100 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, 5% 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 #6
Ripon College lands at #6 with a 66/100 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, 1% 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
Saint Norbert College lands at #7 with a 66/100 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, 5% 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 #8
Maranatha Baptist University lands at #8 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $45,593 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,005 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 #9
Wisconsin Lutheran College lands at #9 with a 66/100 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, 1% 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 #10
Viterbo University lands at #10 with a 66/100 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, 0% above 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Mount Mary University lands at #11 with a 63/100 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, 12% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Carthage College lands at #12 with a 63/100 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, 3% 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
Edgewood University lands at #13 with a 63/100 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, 8% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Alverno College lands at #14 with a 62/100 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, 4% 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
Why it ranks #15
Lakeland University lands at #15 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $55,961 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,212 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 #16
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire lands at #16 with a 61/100 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, 6% 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
Why it ranks #17
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse lands at #17 with a 61/100 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, 9% 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 #18
Lawrence University lands at #18 with a 61/100 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, 1% above 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 #19
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater lands at #19 with a 60/100 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, 0% above 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 #20
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay lands at #20 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $52,528 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,369 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
Platteville, WI · 89% accepted · $16,032 net
Why it ranks #21
University of Wisconsin-Platteville lands at #21 with a 60/100 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, 12% 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 #22
University of Wisconsin-Stout lands at #22 with a 60/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (68/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,084 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,490 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
River Falls, WI · 82% accepted · $14,054 net
Why it ranks #23
University of Wisconsin-River Falls lands at #23 with a 60/100 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, 2% 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 #24
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh lands at #24 with a 59/100 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, 0% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design lands at #25 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $41,174 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,541 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
Stevens Point, WI · 92% accepted · $14,559 net
Why it ranks #26
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point lands at #26 with a 59/100 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, 6% 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 #27
University of Wisconsin-Superior lands at #27 with a 59/100 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, 10% 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 #28
University of Wisconsin-Parkside lands at #28 with a 58/100 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, 8% 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 #29
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee lands at #29 with a 57/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (66/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $54,990 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,014 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 #30
Marian University lands at #30 with a 56/100 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, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,937 a year. 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 #31
Concordia University-Wisconsin lands at #31 with a 54/100 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, 1% above 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
Why it ranks #32
Herzing University-Kenosha lands at #32 with a 48/100 composite, led by academic quality (60/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $36,909 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,066 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 #33
Bellin College lands at #33 with a 44/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (16/100). Graduates earn a median $76,222 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,408 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 #34
Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa lands at #34 with a 44/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (52/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $32,568 a decade after enrolling, 41% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,858 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 #35
College of Menominee Nation lands at #35 with a 35/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (17/100). Graduates earn a median $25,853 a decade after enrolling, 53% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,805 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 35 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a college in Wisconsin involves sifting through a variety of options, each with its own strengths. With 37 institutions on this list, families can find schools that align with their educational and financial goals. For many students, this decision is pivotal, as earnings can vary significantly after graduation, impacting their long-term financial health.
What sets the top schools apart in Wisconsin are their graduation rates, potential earnings, and student debt levels. For instance, the average earnings across the top schools is $54,617, with graduation rates averaging 58%. These figures highlight the importance of not just attending college, but attending the right college that can maximize future opportunities while minimizing debt.
Take the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Milwaukee School of Engineering, for example. The former boasts a graduation rate of 89% with earnings of $73,792, whereas the latter has a lower graduation rate of 69% but higher earnings at $89,070. This contrast illustrates the tradeoffs students might face: a higher chance of completing a degree at one school versus potentially higher earnings at another.
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
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 15 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.1%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Alverno College leads the group at 2.7%, with Milwaukee School of Engineering (1.9%) and Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (1.5%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 5.6% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Alverno College enrolls the most, at 15%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 24.4% across the list, peaking at 50.1% at Milwaukee School of Engineering.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Edgewood University is highest at 1.77.
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
One noticeable pattern in the data reveals why the University of Wisconsin-Madison outperforms Milwaukee School of Engineering despite the latter's higher earnings. With a graduation rate of 89%, UW-Madison clearly supports its students in completing their degrees, which is a significant factor in long-term earning potential. In contrast, while Milwaukee School of Engineering students may have higher earnings at $89,070, the 69% graduation rate suggests that not all students may finish their degree, potentially impacting their overall financial stability.
As you sift through the list, it’s essential to weigh these metrics against your personal preferences. Consider factors like program fit and campus culture, as well as financial implications. If you're drawn to a specific field, ensure that the school’s offerings align with your career goals. Look at the net price and average debt levels to gauge affordability relative to potential earnings.
The path from college to a stable life is more than just the numbers on this page. It's about making an informed choice that resonates with your family's circumstances. With the right data in hand, one family can confidently choose a college that balances educational quality and financial prudence.
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 Colleges in Wisconsin: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Wisconsin ranking? +
Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges in Wisconsin ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $89,070 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 69% 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? +
Milwaukee School of Engineering posts the highest median earnings on this list: $89,070 ten years after enrollment, well above the $55,389 average across the 35 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 59% 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 $20,355 a year across the 35 ranked schools with cost data. College of Menominee Nation is among the most affordable at roughly $8,805. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best 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 35 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
Related Rankings
