# Best Colleges in Wisconsin

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 37 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-wisconsin

## Methodology

Composite score for institutions in Wisconsin

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 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.

## Key Findings

- University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates earn $73,792 on average, the highest in the state.
- Milwaukee School of Engineering has a net price of $22,453, which is higher than the average of $17,354.
- The average graduation rate across these top schools is 58%, indicating that students should consider completion rates when choosing a college.
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has a lower debt load at $22,500 compared to the Milwaukee School of Engineering's $27,000.

## 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 | [Marquette University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/marquette-university) | Milwaukee, WI | 82% | $78,257 | $31,487 | $23,940 | 0.31x |
| 3 | [University of Wisconsin-Madison](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison) | Madison, WI | 89% | $73,792 | $17,354 | $20,484 | 0.28x |
| 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 | [Ripon College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ripon-college) | Ripon, WI | 62% | $54,902 | $20,216 | $27,000 | 0.49x |
| 7 | [Saint Norbert College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-norbert-college) | De Pere, WI | 72% | $58,363 | $26,172 | $26,731 | 0.46x |
| 8 | [Maranatha Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maranatha-baptist-university) | Watertown, WI | 65% | $45,593 | $26,005 | $14,143 | 0.31x |
| 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 | [Mount Mary University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mount-mary-university) | Milwaukee, WI | 50% | $48,745 | $20,144 | $25,288 | 0.52x |
| 12 | [Carthage College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carthage-college) | Kenosha, WI | 62% | $56,950 | $26,565 | $26,000 | 0.46x |
| 13 | [Edgewood College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/edgewood-college) | Madison, WI | 64% | $59,728 | $26,113 | $24,424 | 0.41x |
| 14 | [Alverno College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alverno-college) | Milwaukee, WI | 50% | $53,145 | $22,540 | $27,000 | 0.51x |
| 15 | [Lakeland University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lakeland-university) | Plymouth, WI | 48% | $55,961 | $24,212 | $25,000 | 0.45x |
| 16 | [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 |
| 17 | [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 |
| 18 | [Lawrence University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lawrence-university) | Appleton, WI | 77% | $55,789 | $23,401 | $26,000 | 0.47x |
| 19 | [University of Wisconsin-Whitewater](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-whitewater) | Whitewater, WI | 62% | $55,356 | $14,158 | $23,188 | 0.42x |
| 20 | [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 |
| 21 | [University of Wisconsin-Platteville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-platteville) | Platteville, WI | 58% | $61,760 | $16,032 | $21,977 | 0.36x |
| 22 | [University of Wisconsin-Stout](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-stout) | Menomonie, WI | 54% | $58,084 | $17,490 | $23,000 | 0.4x |
| 23 | [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 |
| 24 | [University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-oshkosh) | Oshkosh, WI | 51% | $55,548 | $14,305 | $21,500 | 0.39x |
| 25 | [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 |
| 26 | [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 |
| 27 | [University of Wisconsin-Superior](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-superior) | Superior, WI | 43% | $49,606 | $12,220 | $22,500 | 0.45x |
| 28 | [University of Wisconsin-Parkside](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-parkside) | Kenosha, WI | 40% | $51,129 | $11,772 | $20,492 | 0.4x |
| 29 | [University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-milwaukee) | Milwaukee, WI | 50% | $54,990 | $15,014 | $23,000 | 0.42x |
| 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 | [Herzing University-Kenosha](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/herzing-university-kenosha) | Kenosha, WI | 63% | $36,909 | $23,066 | $21,500 | 0.58x |
| 33 | [Western Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-technical-college-wi) | La Crosse, WI | 36% | $45,303 | $11,008 | $11,500 | 0.25x |
| 34 | [Herzing University-Brookfield](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/herzing-university-brookfield) | Brookfield, WI | 41% | $36,909 | $20,514 | $21,500 | 0.58x |
| 35 | [Bellin College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bellin-college) | Green Bay, WI | 68% | $76,222 | $37,408 | $18,000 | 0.24x |
| 36 | [Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bryant-stratton-college-wauwatosa) | Wauwatosa, WI | 22% | $32,568 | $14,858 | $21,549 | 0.66x |
| 37 | [College of Menominee Nation](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-menominee-nation) | Keshena, WI | 30% | $25,853 | $8,805 | N/A | N/A |

## 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 Colleges in Wisconsin." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-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/.