by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Wisconsin? We have ranked 46 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. This is our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — scroll to Customize Your Rankings to switch views.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 46 schools to build this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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After analyzing 46 schools in Wisconsin to find which ones offer the best value. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
To determine a school’s value, we first add up average tuition, fees, and room and board — the published sticker price before any financial aid (the No Aid view). Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
The result is a ranking of schools that give you the most for your money. Read more about our methodology.
The best value for you depends on what and where you want to study. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis ranked Lakeshore Technical College the best college for the money in Wisconsin. Set in Cleveland, WI, Lakeshore Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Students borrow a median of $11,582 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $47,113 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,582 median debt.
Out of the 46 schools in Wisconsin in this year's value ranking, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College landed the #2 spot. Based in Rice Lake, WI, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,406. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gateway Technical College earned it the #3 place in Wisconsin. This public school is set in Kenosha, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. The median program debt is $14,829. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,264. That is a strong return on a $14,829 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #4 on this year's best-value ranking in Wisconsin. This public school is set in Pewaukee, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. The median program debt is $16,595. Waukesha County Technical College alumni report median earnings of $46,894 a decade after entry. Set against $16,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Moraine Park Technical College one of the best values in Wisconsin. Located in Fond du Lac, WI, Moraine Park Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,819, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. Moraine Park Technical College students take on a median of $11,471 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,371 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,471 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #6 spot for value in Wisconsin this year. Based in Milwaukee, WI, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,113. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Fennimore, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,904, with out-of-state students paying around $7,147. Typical student debt is $12,112. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,470 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nicolet Area Technical College placed #8 among the best values in Wisconsin. Set in Rhinelander, WI, Nicolet Area Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,793 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,066. Typical student debt is $11,400. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,643. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #9 among the best values in Wisconsin. Set in Green Bay, WI, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $14,997. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,553. Set against $14,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #10 spot for value in Wisconsin this year. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a public school based in Kenosha, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. University Of Wisconsin Parkside students take on a median of $24,485 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,129. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Parkside has an acceptance rate of 75%.
Fox Valley Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Appleton, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical student debt is $13,319. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,684. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blackhawk Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Janesville, WI, Blackhawk Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,747, while out-of-state students pay about $6,803. Blackhawk Technical College students take on a median of $13,715 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,620. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College landed the #13 spot for value in Wisconsin this year. Located in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Mid State Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Mid State Technical College students take on a median of $11,626 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,253 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,626 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Eau Claire, WI, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,297. That is a strong return on a $14,234 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College placed #15 among the best values in Wisconsin. This public school is set in Wausau, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Northcentral Technical College students take on a median of $11,709 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technical College La Cross offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in La Crosse, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Students borrow a median of $13,669 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,303. Set against $13,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #17 spot for value in Wisconsin this year. Set in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $16,812. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,413 ten years after entry. Set against $16,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Set in Green Bay, WI, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay students take on a median of $24,477 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,528. Set against $24,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #19 among the best values in Wisconsin. Set in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point students take on a median of $24,161 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,021. Set against $24,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 92% of those who apply are admitted.
College Of Menominee Nation landed the #20 spot for value in Wisconsin this year. Set in Keshena, WI, College Of Menominee Nation is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,200. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $25,853.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public school based in River Falls, WI. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Students borrow a median of $24,245 to complete their program here. University Of Wisconsin River Falls alumni report median earnings of $54,458 a decade after entry. Set against $24,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin River Falls has an acceptance rate of 82%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #22 spot for value in Wisconsin this year. This public school is set in Platteville, WI. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. The median program debt is $23,677. University Of Wisconsin Platteville alumni report median earnings of $61,760 a decade after entry. Set against $23,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Superior landed the #23 spot for value in Wisconsin this year. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a public school based in Superior, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,812, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. The median program debt is $27,845. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,606 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #24 among the best values in Wisconsin. Set in Oshkosh, WI, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,548. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Whitewater, WI, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,356. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 ranked schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 46 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.