# Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 50 | Category: By State (Affordable)
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-wisconsin

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price in Wisconsin

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

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.

## Key Findings

- Nicolet Area Technical College has a net price of $8,255 and a graduation rate of 45%.
- Milwaukee Area Technical College offers earnings of $41,113 but has a graduation rate of just 25%.
- Moraine Park Technical College graduates earn an average of $44,371 with a 54% graduation rate.
- The average debt for colleges on this list is $8,569, providing a benchmark for financial planning.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Nicolet Area Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/nicolet-area-technical-college) | Rhinelander, WI | 45% | $38,643 | $8,255 | $7,837 | 0.2x |
| 2 | [Moraine Park Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/moraine-park-technical-college) | Fond du Lac, WI | 54% | $44,371 | $9,268 | $8,225 | 0.19x |
| 3 | [Milwaukee Area Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/milwaukee-area-technical-college) | Milwaukee, WI | 25% | $41,113 | $9,112 | $14,955 | 0.36x |
| 4 | [Blackhawk Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/blackhawk-technical-college) | Janesville, WI | 32% | $41,620 | $9,330 | $9,550 | 0.23x |
| 5 | [Lakeshore Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lakeshore-technical-college) | Cleveland, WI | 46% | $47,113 | $9,653 | $7,000 | 0.15x |
| 6 | [Northeast Wisconsin Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northeast-wisconsin-technical-college) | Green Bay, WI | 49% | $44,553 | $9,918 | $11,719 | 0.26x |
| 7 | [Northcentral Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northcentral-technical-college) | Wausau, WI | 47% | $44,925 | $10,303 | $7,500 | 0.17x |
| 8 | [Northwood Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwood-technical-college) | Rice Lake, WI | 54% | $43,406 | $8,989 | $8,250 | 0.19x |
| 9 | [Mid-State Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mid-state-technical-college) | Wisconsin Rapids, WI | 53% | $42,253 | $10,873 | $8,000 | 0.19x |
| 10 | [University of Wisconsin-Parkside](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-parkside) | Kenosha, WI | 40% | $51,129 | $11,772 | $20,492 | 0.4x |
| 11 | [Waukesha County Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/waukesha-county-technical-college) | Pewaukee, WI | 45% | $46,894 | $11,101 | $12,000 | 0.26x |
| 12 | [University of Wisconsin-Superior](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-superior) | Superior, WI | 43% | $49,606 | $12,220 | $22,500 | 0.45x |
| 13 | [Fox Valley Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fox-valley-technical-college) | Appleton, WI | 63% | $45,684 | $11,407 | $10,402 | 0.23x |
| 14 | [Western Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-technical-college-wi) | La Crosse, WI | 36% | $45,303 | $11,008 | $11,500 | 0.25x |
| 15 | [Chippewa Valley Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/chippewa-valley-technical-college) | Eau Claire, WI | 48% | $46,297 | $12,285 | $11,432 | 0.25x |
| 16 | [University of Wisconsin-Green Bay](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-green-bay) | Green Bay, WI | 50% | $52,528 | $13,369 | $18,500 | 0.35x |
| 17 | [Southwest Wisconsin Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwest-wisconsin-technical-college) | Fennimore, WI | 60% | $43,470 | $12,896 | $7,500 | 0.17x |
| 18 | [Gateway Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/gateway-technical-college) | Kenosha, WI | 49% | $40,264 | $12,928 | $12,165 | 0.3x |
| 19 | [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 |
| 20 | [University of Wisconsin-Whitewater](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-whitewater) | Whitewater, WI | 62% | $55,356 | $14,158 | $23,188 | 0.42x |
| 21 | [University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-oshkosh) | Oshkosh, WI | 51% | $55,548 | $14,305 | $21,500 | 0.39x |
| 22 | [Carroll University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carroll-university) | Waukesha, WI | 70% | $58,009 | $15,193 | $27,000 | 0.47x |
| 23 | [University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-milwaukee) | Milwaukee, WI | 50% | $54,990 | $15,014 | $23,000 | 0.42x |
| 24 | [University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-stevens-point) | Stevens Point, WI | 53% | $52,021 | $14,559 | $21,503 | 0.41x |
| 25 | [College of Menominee Nation](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-menominee-nation) | Keshena, WI | 30% | $25,853 | $8,805 | N/A | N/A |
| 26 | [University of Wisconsin-Platteville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-platteville) | Platteville, WI | 58% | $61,760 | $16,032 | $21,977 | 0.36x |
| 27 | [University of Wisconsin-La Crosse](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-la-crosse) | La Crosse, WI | 71% | $60,378 | $16,210 | $22,500 | 0.37x |
| 28 | [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 |
| 29 | [Madison Area Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/madison-area-technical-college) | Madison, WI | 28% | $45,413 | $14,238 | $14,060 | 0.31x |
| 30 | [University of Wisconsin-Madison](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison) | Madison, WI | 89% | $73,792 | $17,354 | $20,484 | 0.28x |
| 31 | [Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bryant-stratton-college-wauwatosa) | Wauwatosa, WI | 22% | $32,568 | $14,858 | $21,549 | 0.66x |
| 32 | [University of Wisconsin-Stout](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-stout) | Menomonie, WI | 54% | $58,084 | $17,490 | $23,000 | 0.4x |
| 33 | [Mount Mary University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mount-mary-university) | Milwaukee, WI | 50% | $48,745 | $20,144 | $25,288 | 0.52x |
| 34 | [Ripon College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ripon-college) | Ripon, WI | 62% | $54,902 | $20,216 | $27,000 | 0.49x |
| 35 | [Viterbo University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/viterbo-university) | La Crosse, WI | 67% | $55,660 | $21,260 | $25,000 | 0.45x |
| 36 | [Beloit College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/beloit-college) | Beloit, WI | 69% | $53,260 | $21,526 | $25,738 | 0.48x |
| 37 | [Herzing University-Brookfield](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/herzing-university-brookfield) | Brookfield, WI | 41% | $36,909 | $20,514 | $21,500 | 0.58x |
| 38 | [Milwaukee School of Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/milwaukee-school-of-engineering) | Milwaukee, WI | 69% | $89,070 | $22,453 | $27,000 | 0.3x |
| 39 | [Marian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/marian-university-wi) | Fond Du Lac, WI | 43% | $53,501 | $21,937 | $25,000 | 0.47x |
| 40 | [Wisconsin Lutheran College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wisconsin-lutheran-college) | Milwaukee, WI | 63% | $54,664 | $23,245 | $26,000 | 0.48x |
| 41 | [Alverno College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alverno-college) | Milwaukee, WI | 50% | $53,145 | $22,540 | $27,000 | 0.51x |
| 42 | [Herzing University-Madison](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/herzing-university-madison) | Madison, WI | 28% | $36,909 | $22,327 | $21,500 | 0.58x |
| 43 | [Lawrence University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lawrence-university) | Appleton, WI | 77% | $55,789 | $23,401 | $26,000 | 0.47x |
| 44 | [Herzing University-Kenosha](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/herzing-university-kenosha) | Kenosha, WI | 63% | $36,909 | $23,066 | $21,500 | 0.58x |
| 45 | [Lakeland University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lakeland-university) | Plymouth, WI | 48% | $55,961 | $24,212 | $25,000 | 0.45x |
| 46 | [Maranatha Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maranatha-baptist-university) | Watertown, WI | 65% | $45,593 | $26,005 | $14,143 | 0.31x |
| 47 | [Saint Norbert College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-norbert-college) | De Pere, WI | 72% | $58,363 | $26,172 | $26,731 | 0.46x |
| 48 | [Carthage College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carthage-college) | Kenosha, WI | 62% | $56,950 | $26,565 | $26,000 | 0.46x |
| 49 | [Edgewood College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/edgewood-college) | Madison, WI | 64% | $59,728 | $26,113 | $24,424 | 0.41x |
| 50 | [Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/milwaukee-institute-of-art-design) | Milwaukee, WI | 65% | $41,174 | $26,541 | $27,000 | 0.66x |

## 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. "Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-wisconsin

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.