# Best Data Science Colleges in Wisconsin

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-08-03 | Schools: 14 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-data-science-wisconsin

## Methodology

Data Science programs in Wisconsin ranked by outcomes and program concentration

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

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.

## Key Findings

- University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates earn an average of $73,792.
- Milwaukee School of Engineering has the highest average earnings at $89,070.
- Graduation rates vary significantly, from 89% at UW-Madison to 54% at UW-Stout.
- The average net price across these programs is $20,127, with some programs costing as much as $31,487.

## 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 | [Lakeland University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lakeland-university) | Plymouth, WI | 48% | $55,961 | $24,212 | $25,000 | 0.45x |
| 6 | [University of Wisconsin-Stout](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-stout) | Menomonie, WI | 54% | $58,084 | $17,490 | $23,000 | 0.4x |
| 7 | [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 |
| 8 | [Lawrence University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lawrence-university) | Appleton, WI | 77% | $55,789 | $23,401 | $26,000 | 0.47x |
| 9 | [University of Wisconsin-Parkside](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-parkside) | Kenosha, WI | 40% | $51,129 | $11,772 | $20,492 | 0.4x |
| 10 | [University of Wisconsin-Whitewater](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-whitewater) | Whitewater, WI | 62% | $55,356 | $14,158 | $23,188 | 0.42x |
| 11 | [University of Wisconsin-Platteville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-platteville) | Platteville, WI | 58% | $61,760 | $16,032 | $21,977 | 0.36x |
| 12 | [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 |
| 13 | [University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-milwaukee) | Milwaukee, WI | 50% | $54,990 | $15,014 | $23,000 | 0.42x |
| 14 | [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 Data Science Colleges in Wisconsin." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-08-03. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-data-science-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/.