Rankings / By State
Best Psychology Colleges in Wisconsin
- 28
- Schools
- $56,829
- Avg. Earnings
- 60%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,761
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,783
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 28 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 60% 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
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with University of Wisconsin-Parkside and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
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 ▲ +38% vs avg | $31,487 | 82% | 66 |
| 2 Beloit College #2 overall | $53,260 ▼ -6% vs avg | $21,526 | 69% | 64 |
| 3 Ripon College #3 overall | $54,902 ▼ -3% vs avg | $20,216 | 62% | 63 |
| $48,745 ▼ -14% vs avg | $20,144 | 50% | 63 | |
| $58,363 ▲ +3% vs avg | $26,172 | 72% | 63 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Psychology Colleges in Wisconsin
This analysis ranks 28 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $56,829 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 60% and an average net price of $19,761.
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
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Human Services Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the human-services and social-work workforce?
$55,604
Median earnings (10yr)
62%
Median graduation rate
$18,817
Median net price
1.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Psychology, social work, and counseling programs train a workforce in high and rising demand. Mental-health needs, child and family services, and an aging population all pull for licensed practitioners. The work is essential and licensure-gated. Pay is modest, which makes the economics of the degree unusually sensitive to cost.
Start with the medians across these 28 schools. Graduates earn a median of $55,604 ten years after enrollment, or about $7,604 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 62%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $18,817 a year with about $24,182 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 27% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.1%.
What we’re seeing: demand is strong and growing, but the salary ceiling means affordability decides the return. With median earnings around $55,604 and a median net price of $18,817, the best value comes from programs that keep debt well below early-career pay.
The podium
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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 66/100 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, 38% 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
Beloit College lands at #2 with a 64/100 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, 6% 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 #3
Ripon College lands at #3 with a 63/100 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, 3% 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 #4
Mount Mary University lands at #4 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, 14% 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 #5
Saint Norbert College lands at #5 with a 63/100 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, 3% 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 #6
Carroll University lands at #6 with a 63/100 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 #7
University of Wisconsin-Madison lands at #7 with a 62/100 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, 30% 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 #8
Viterbo University lands at #8 with a 60/100 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Wisconsin Lutheran College lands at #9 with a 60/100 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 #10
Alverno College lands at #10 with a 59/100 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, 6% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay lands at #11 with a 58/100 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, 8% 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
Why it ranks #12
Lakeland University lands at #12 with a 58/100 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, 2% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse lands at #13 with a 58/100 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
Edgewood University lands at #14 with a 58/100 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Lawrence University lands at #15 with a 58/100 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 #16
Carthage College lands at #16 with a 57/100 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 #17
University of Wisconsin-Parkside lands at #17 with a 57/100 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 #18
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire lands at #18 with a 56/100 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
Why it ranks #19
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater lands at #19 with a 55/100 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 #20
University of Wisconsin-Superior lands at #20 with a 54/100 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
Platteville, WI · 89% accepted · $16,032 net
Why it ranks #21
University of Wisconsin-Platteville lands at #21 with a 54/100 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, 9% 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 #22
University of Wisconsin-River Falls lands at #22 with a 54/100 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, 4% 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 #23
University of Wisconsin-Stout lands at #23 with a 54/100 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% 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
Why it ranks #24
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh lands at #24 with a 54/100 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, 2% 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
Why it ranks #25
Marian University lands at #25 with a 53/100 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
Stevens Point, WI · 92% accepted · $14,559 net
Why it ranks #26
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point lands at #26 with a 53/100 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, 8% 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-Milwaukee lands at #27 with a 52/100 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, 3% 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 #28
Concordia University-Wisconsin lands at #28 with a 49/100 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% 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 28 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When considering a psychology degree in Wisconsin, students have several solid options. With 26 schools offering psychology programs, prospective students need to evaluate which institutions align best with their goals and circumstances.
The strongest programs in this ranking stand out not just by their names, but by their outcomes. Key metrics like earnings after graduation, graduation rates, debt levels, and overall completion rates help clarify the value each school offers. Below, you’ll find a list of schools where students can expect a quality education that can lead to meaningful careers in psychology.
For instance, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has impressive earnings of $73,792 and a graduation rate of 89%. In contrast, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside shows a lower earning potential at $51,129 and only a 40% graduation rate. This illustrates a significant trade-off between the two programs, highlighting the importance of choosing a school that fits both financial and educational aspirations.
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 12 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 5.6% 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 22.3% 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 1.65 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
A closer look at the data reveals a stark contrast between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Marquette University. While UW-Madison boasts an average earning of $73,792 and an 89% graduation rate, Marquette, despite its higher net price of $31,487, has a slightly higher earning of $78,257 but a lower graduation rate of 82%. This comparison shows that while Marquette may promise higher earnings, UW-Madison provides a more reliable path to graduation.
After reviewing the data from these schools, consider what factors matter most to you. If minimizing debt is a priority, schools like the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, with a net price of $13,369, might be appealing. Conversely, if earning potential after graduation is your main concern, the University of Wisconsin-Madison might be the better choice despite its higher overall cost.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable career can hinge on these decisions. Choosing the right psychology program means balancing financial considerations with the potential for future earnings and job stability. For families weighing these options, understanding how each school’s metrics align with their specific needs can lead to a more informed choice about the next steps in education and career planning.
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 Psychology Colleges in Wisconsin: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Psychology Colleges in Wisconsin ranking? +
Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Psychology 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 $56,829 average across the 28 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 60% 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 $19,761 a year across the 28 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 Psychology 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 28 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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