Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin
- 50
- Schools
- $50,064
- Avg. Earnings
- 53%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,435
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,031
- 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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Lakeshore Technical College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $47,113 against $9,653 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 Nicolet Area Technical College, at $8,255 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 53% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Lakeshore Technical College: graduates owe only 0.15× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Nicolet Area Technical College ($38,643 earnings), not the highest earner, Milwaukee School of Engineering ($89,070). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Nicolet Area Technical College ($8,255/yr) and Carthage College ($26,565/yr) produce graduates earning $38,643 and $56,950 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $18,310 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Lakeshore Technical College outperforms Milwaukee School of Engineering: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
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 Lakeshore Technical College 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 $51K 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 Nicolet Area Technical College #1 overall | $38,643 ▼ -23% vs avg | $8,255 | 45% | 77 |
| 2 Moraine Park Technical College #2 overall | $44,371 ▼ -11% vs avg | $9,268 | 54% | 76 |
| 3 Milwaukee Area Technical College #3 overall | $41,113 ▼ -18% vs avg | $9,112 | 25% | 76 |
| $41,620 ▼ -17% vs avg | $9,330 | 32% | 75 | |
| $47,113 ▼ -6% vs avg | $9,653 | 46% | 74 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $50,064 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 53% and an average net price of $16,435.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Lakeshore Technical College — Net Price: $9,653 | Graduation Rate: 46%
- 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
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$50,368
Median earnings (10yr)
53%
Median graduation rate
$14,936
Median net price
1.0%
Avg. mobility rate
Value rankings exist to show where students get the most for their money. The answer is rarely the cheapest school or the one with the highest earnings. It is the intersection of low cost and strong outcomes, which is what our methodology is built to surface. The schools at the top of this list show that affordability and results can coexist.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $50,368 ten years after enrollment, or about $2,368 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 53%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $14,936 a year with about $21,500 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 30% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.0%.
The schools that win on value are the ones where net price and earnings form the tightest ratio. Median net price runs $14,936 and graduates earn a median of $50,368. That ratio, not prestige or selectivity, is the truest measure of what a degree is worth.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Nicolet Area Technical College lands at #1 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $38,643 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,255 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 #2
Moraine Park Technical College lands at #2 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $44,371 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,268 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 #3
Milwaukee Area Technical College lands at #3 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $41,113 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,112 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 #4
Blackhawk Technical College lands at #4 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $41,620 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,330 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 #5
Lakeshore Technical College lands at #5 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $47,113 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,653 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 #6
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College lands at #6 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $44,553 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,918 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 #7
Northcentral Technical College lands at #7 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $44,925 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,303 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 #8
Northwood Technical College lands at #8 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $43,406 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,989 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 #9
Mid-State Technical College lands at #9 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $42,253 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,873 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-Parkside lands at #10 with a 72/100 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, 2% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Waukesha County Technical College lands at #11 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $46,894 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,101 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
University of Wisconsin-Superior lands at #12 with a 71/100 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, 1% 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 #13
Fox Valley Technical College lands at #13 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (68/100). Graduates earn a median $45,684 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,407 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 #14
Western Technical College lands at #14 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by social mobility (28/100). Graduates earn a median $45,303 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,008 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 #15
Chippewa Valley Technical College lands at #15 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $46,297 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,285 a year, well under 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 #16
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay lands at #16 with a 69/100 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% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College lands at #17 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $43,470 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,896 a year, well under 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 #18
Gateway Technical College lands at #18 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $40,264 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,928 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
River Falls, WI · 82% accepted · $14,054 net
Why it ranks #19
University of Wisconsin-River Falls lands at #19 with a 68/100 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, 9% above 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 #20
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater lands at #20 with a 68/100 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, 11% 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 #21
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh lands at #21 with a 67/100 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, 11% 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 #22
Carroll University lands at #22 with a 67/100 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, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,193 a year. 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 #23
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee lands at #23 with a 67/100 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, 10% above 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
Stevens Point, WI · 92% accepted · $14,559 net
Why it ranks #24
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point lands at #24 with a 67/100 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, 4% above 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 #25
College of Menominee Nation lands at #25 with a 66/100 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, 48% 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
Platteville, WI · 89% accepted · $16,032 net
Why it ranks #26
University of Wisconsin-Platteville lands at #26 with a 64/100 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, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,032 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 #27
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse lands at #27 with a 64/100 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, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,210 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 #28
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire lands at #28 with a 63/100 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, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,550 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 #29
Madison Area Technical College lands at #29 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $45,413 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,238 a year, well under 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 #30
University of Wisconsin-Madison lands at #30 with a 63/100 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, 47% 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 #31
Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa lands at #31 with a 63/100 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, 35% 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 #32
University of Wisconsin-Stout lands at #32 with a 62/100 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, 16% above 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 #33
Mount Mary University lands at #33 with a 58/100 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, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,144 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 #34
Ripon College lands at #34 with a 57/100 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, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,216 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 #35
Viterbo University lands at #35 with a 55/100 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, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,260 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 #36
Beloit College lands at #36 with a 55/100 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% above 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Herzing University-Brookfield lands at #37 with a 54/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (57/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $36,909 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,514 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 #38
Milwaukee School of Engineering lands at #38 with a 53/100 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, 78% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Marian University lands at #39 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, 7% above 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
Why it ranks #40
Wisconsin Lutheran College lands at #40 with a 52/100 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, 9% above 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Alverno College lands at #41 with a 52/100 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% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Herzing University-Madison lands at #42 with a 50/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (57/100) and pulled down by academic quality (36/100). Graduates earn a median $36,909 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,327 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 #43
Lawrence University lands at #43 with a 50/100 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, 11% 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 #44
Herzing University-Kenosha lands at #44 with a 49/100 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, 26% 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 #45
Lakeland University lands at #45 with a 48/100 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, 12% 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 #46
Maranatha Baptist University lands at #46 with a 46/100 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, 9% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Saint Norbert College lands at #47 with a 46/100 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, 17% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Carthage College lands at #48 with a 45/100 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, 14% 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 #49
Edgewood University lands at #49 with a 45/100 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, 19% 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 #50
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design lands at #50 with a 44/100 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, 18% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When it comes to choosing a college in Wisconsin, affordability is a top concern for many families. With net prices varying significantly across institutions, understanding which schools offer the best value can make a big difference in your financial future. One figure to consider: Wisconsin's average earnings for graduates stand at $50,064, but not all colleges deliver equal returns on that investment.
What sets these affordable colleges apart from others? It’s about finding the right balance between graduation rates, student debt, and post-graduation earnings. For instance, the schools listed here boast an average graduation rate of 53%, which reflects their commitment to seeing students through to completion. As you look through the list below, consider how each school's net price, debt, and earnings can impact your choices.
Take Nicolet Area Technical College and Milwaukee Area Technical College, for example. Nicolet has a net price of $8,255 and a graduation rate of 45%, while Milwaukee's net price is slightly higher at $9,112, but it faces a much lower graduation rate of only 25%. This stark contrast in completion rates is an important factor to weigh as you explore your options.
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 28 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1%. Alverno College leads the group at 2.7%, with Milwaukee School of Engineering (1.9%) and Chippewa Valley Technical College (1.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 7.7% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Milwaukee Area Technical College leads at 17.8%, 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 16.5% across this list. Milwaukee School of Engineering posts the highest success rate at 50.1%. 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 1.43 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 Nicolet Area Technical College and Northwood Technical College reveals key differences that can impact your decision. While Nicolet has a lower net price of $8,255 and a graduation rate of 45%, Northwood offers slightly higher earnings at $43,406 but comes with a net price of $8,989. This indicates that while Northwood may have better earning potential, it also requires a larger financial commitment upfront.
After reviewing the 50 schools in this list, consider how their financial metrics align with your personal priorities. Think about factors like location, available programs, and campus culture alongside the data you’ve seen here. For instance, if you value a robust support system to ensure graduation, you might prioritize schools with higher completion rates, even if that means a marginally higher cost.
Ultimately, the data underscores an important truth: the right college can pave the way to a stable future. Each decision we make now shapes the financial landscape of our lives. For families weighing options, it’s about finding the balance that works for you and your goals.
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
Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin ranking? +
Nicolet Area Technical College in Rhinelander, WI ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $38,643 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 45% 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 $50,064 average across the 50 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, Lakeshore Technical College leads: graduates earn a median $47,113 against net price of about $9,653 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 53% 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 $16,435 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Nicolet Area Technical College is among the most affordable at roughly $8,255. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Most Affordable 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 50 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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