Rankings / By State
Best Data Science Colleges in Wisconsin
- 14
- Schools
- $59,023
- Avg. Earnings
- 61%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,165
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,171
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 14 schools run from $25,853 to $89,070, a 3.4× 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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College of Menominee Nation is the lowest-cost school here at $8,805 a year in net price.
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University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates 89% of its students, versus a 61% 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
- College of Menominee Nation costs $8,805 a year and Marquette University costs $31,487. Yet their graduates earn $25,853 and $78,257, nowhere near the $22,682 price gap.
- On value, University of Wisconsin-Parkside beats Milwaukee School of Engineering: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: University of Wisconsin-Madison finishes 89% of students while College of Menominee Nation finishes 30%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
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
Technology is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $56K within a decade, and data scientist roles are projected to grow 36%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
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 ▲ +51% vs avg | $22,453 | 69% | 76 |
| 2 University of Wisconsin-Madison #2 overall | $73,792 ▲ +25% vs avg | $17,354 | 89% | 71 |
| 3 Marquette University #3 overall | $78,257 ▲ +33% vs avg | $31,487 | 82% | 71 |
| $53,260 ▼ -10% vs avg | $21,526 | 69% | 69 | |
| $55,961 ▼ -5% vs avg | $24,212 | 48% | 65 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Data Science Colleges in Wisconsin
This analysis ranks 14 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $59,023 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 61% and an average net price of $18,165.
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
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$55,875
Median earnings (10yr)
60%
Median graduation rate
$16,952
Median net price
1.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Computing, data, and information-systems programs train for one of the highest-paying and fastest-moving corners of the labor market. Starting salaries are strong, and hiring increasingly rewards demonstrable skill over pedigree. The field is cyclical, though, and specific tools age quickly. What endures is fundamentals and the habit of learning new ones.
The median graduation rate across these 14 schools is 60%. Median graduate earnings reach $55,875 ten years after enrollment, roughly $7,875 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $16,952 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $23,000. Some 27% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.1%.
What we’re seeing: employers reward programs with strong industry ties, co-ops, and project portfolios over brand alone. Graduates here post median earnings of $55,875 ten years after enrollment. That premium holds as long as graduates keep their skills current against a fast-shifting stack.
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 76/100 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, 51% 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
University of Wisconsin-Madison lands at #2 with a 71/100 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, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,354 a year. 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 #3
Marquette University lands at #3 with a 71/100 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, 33% 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 #4
Beloit College lands at #4 with a 69/100 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, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,526 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 #5
Lakeland University lands at #5 with a 65/100 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, 5% below 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
University of Wisconsin-Stout lands at #6 with a 65/100 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, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,490 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 #7
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire lands at #7 with a 62/100 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, 1% below 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 #8
Lawrence University lands at #8 with a 62/100 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, 5% 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 #9
University of Wisconsin-Parkside lands at #9 with a 62/100 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, 13% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater lands at #10 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, 6% 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
Platteville, WI · 89% accepted · $16,032 net
Why it ranks #11
University of Wisconsin-Platteville lands at #11 with a 62/100 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, 5% 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
River Falls, WI · 82% accepted · $14,054 net
Why it ranks #12
University of Wisconsin-River Falls lands at #12 with a 61/100 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, 8% 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 #13
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee lands at #13 with a 60/100 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, 7% 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 #14
College of Menominee Nation lands at #14 with a 36/100 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, 56% 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 14 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Data Scientists and related roles — a field with $108,020 median pay and 36% projected growth.
See the Data Scientist career guide →Data science is increasingly in demand, with companies seeking professionals who can make sense of vast amounts of information. In Wisconsin, a handful of colleges stand out for their strong data science programs, each offering unique outcomes for students considering their options in this field.
What distinguishes the strongest programs from others is their focus on key outcomes such as post-graduation earnings, graduation rates, and manageable debt levels. When looking at the list below, pay attention to earnings and graduation rates to gauge how well these schools prepare their graduates for the workforce and how many students complete their degrees.
For instance, the University of Wisconsin-Madison shows impressive earnings of $73,792 and a graduation rate of 89%. In contrast, the University of Wisconsin-Stout, while more affordable with a net price of $17,490, has lower earnings at $58,084 and a graduation rate of just 54%. This difference highlights the trade-offs students may face when choosing a program.
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 4 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. Milwaukee School of Engineering leads the group at 1.9%, with Marquette University (1.1%) and Beloit College (0.9%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 4.9% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Lakeland University enrolls the most, at 9.3%, 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 30.4% 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 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Milwaukee School of Engineering is highest at 1.71.
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
When examining the data, a noteworthy pattern emerges between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Milwaukee School of Engineering. While both schools have strong outcomes, the Milwaukee School of Engineering stands out with the highest average earnings at $89,070 despite a lower graduation rate of 69%. Conversely, UW-Madison, with its 89% graduation rate, offers slightly lower earnings but a stronger completion metric, suggesting a more supportive academic environment.
As you explore these rankings, consider how each school's unique offerings align with your own priorities. Factors like location, campus culture, and financial circumstances should play a pivotal role in your decision-making process. For instance, if a lower net price is crucial for your family, UW-Whitewater could be an attractive option despite its lower earnings potential compared to other schools.
Ultimately, the data sheds light on the journey from college to a stable career. With a focus on earnings and graduation rates, families can make informed decisions that impact their future. For example, choosing a program with a higher graduation rate may facilitate a smoother transition into the workforce, which is essential for financial stability.
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 Data Science Colleges in Wisconsin: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Data Science Colleges in Wisconsin ranking? +
Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Data Science 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 $59,023 average across the 14 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 61% 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 $18,165 a year across the 14 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 Data Science 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 14 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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