2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Wisconsin
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Wisconsin
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Nicolet Area Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Wisconsin. Located in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,793 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,066. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Nicolet Area Technical College earn a median of $46,419 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $35,981. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,819, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,471 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Moraine Park Technical College earn a median of $39,552 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Milwaukee Area Technical College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $14,298 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $29,812. That is a strong return on a $14,298 median debt.
Blackhawk Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Janesville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,747, with out-of-state students paying around $6,803. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Blackhawk Technical College earn a median of $44,256 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,715 median debt.
Western Technical College La Cross landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Western Technical College La Cross is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,669 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $43,479 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $13,319. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $44,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid State Technical College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, compared with $7,171 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,626 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $41,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Students borrow a median of $24,485 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $40,365. Set against $24,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $54,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
Gateway Technical College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. 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. Set against $14,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. 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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $36,904. That is a strong return on a $22,251 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Madison Area Technical College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,018. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $21,532. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $38,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $23,011 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $37,845 early in their careers. Set against $23,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $25,231. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #18 on our 2027 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. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. 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 Platteville ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $37,558. That is a strong return on a $11,875 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #20 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $21,813. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #21 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $16,708 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $43,714. That is a strong return on a $16,708 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Herzing University Madison came in at #22 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Madison, Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,450. 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.
Alverno College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $43,066 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $44,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Herzing University Kenosha earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Herzing University Kenosha is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $32,325. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $50,311. Set against $32,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
