2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Wisconsin
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 45 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Wisconsin
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Wisconsin. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,384. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $35,981. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Nicolet Area Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,793, with out-of-state students paying around $7,066. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,250. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $46,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Gateway Technical College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $42,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Students borrow a median of $24,485 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $24,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,298 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,812. That is a strong return on a $14,298 median debt.
Mid State Technical College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,626 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $41,678 early in their careers. Set against $11,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Students borrow a median of $11,709 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technical College La Cross placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $43,479. Set against $13,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madison Area Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $29,018 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $54,436 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,231. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Students borrow a median of $11,875 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $21,532. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,451. Set against $21,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Students borrow a median of $23,551 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $49,223. That is a strong return on a $23,551 median debt. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $22,251 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $36,904. Set against $22,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,011 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $37,845. That is a strong return on a $23,011 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Alverno College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,086. Students borrow a median of $43,066 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Alverno College generally make around $44,812. Set against $43,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,708 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. Set against $16,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Herzing University Kenosha ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Kenosha, Herzing University Kenosha is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,450. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $32,832. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Herzing University Kenosha generally make around $50,311. That is a strong return on a $32,832 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Herzing University Brookfield ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Brookfield, Herzing University Brookfield is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $32,325 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Herzing University Brookfield earn a median of $50,311 early in their careers. Set against $32,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Herzing University Madison ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Madison, Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,328 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Herzing University Madison earn a median of $53,203 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
