by our College Data Analytics TeamFox Valley Technical College ranks #1 of 36 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in Wisconsin ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 59% six-year graduation rate and $54,581 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Wisconsin, narrowing things down is no easy task. Our ranking highlights **36** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 36 colleges across over 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Fox Valley Technical College leads the 36 ranked colleges in Wisconsin, followed by University Of Wisconsin La Crosse (#2) and University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee (#3). Explore the leading colleges below:
No school ranked higher than Fox Valley Technical College this year in Wisconsin. Set in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Median early-career earnings reach $44,020. Typical student debt is $13,319.
Out of the 36 colleges in Wisconsin in this year's ranking, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #2 spot. Located in La Crosse, WI, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,223. The median student debt is $23,551.
The strong outcomes at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned it the #3 place in Wisconsin. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates report median early-career earnings of $46,561. Graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Whitewater one of the top colleges in Wisconsin. Located in Whitewater, WI, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,767. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete a degree here.
Out of the 36 colleges in Wisconsin in this year's ranking, Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #5 spot. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public school based in Eau Claire, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $14,234.
Madison Area Technical College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Median early-career earnings reach $44,279. Graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville did well this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in Platteville, WI. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. University Of Wisconsin Platteville graduates report median early-career earnings of $56,998. Typical student debt is $23,677.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Oshkosh, WI, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,590. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete a degree here.
Western Technical College La Cross landed the #9 spot in Wisconsin this year. This public school is set in La Crosse, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $43,479. Students borrow a median of $13,669 to complete a degree here.
Moraine Park Technical College placed #10 among the best colleges in Wisconsin. This public school is set in Fond du Lac, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, while out-of-state students pay about $7,084. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $39,552. The median student debt is $11,471.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Eau Claire, WI. About 65% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,911. Typical student debt is $22,574.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay did well this year, earning the #12 position. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public school based in Green Bay, WI. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Early-career graduates earn a median of $42,853. Students borrow a median of $24,477 to complete a degree here.
Carroll University landed the #13 spot in Wisconsin this year. Set in Waukesha, WI, Carroll University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carroll University graduates 71% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. Median early-career earnings reach $52,404. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete a degree here.
Lakeshore Technical College landed the #14 spot in Wisconsin this year. Lakeshore Technical College is a public school based in Cleveland, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Lakeshore Technical College graduates report median early-career earnings of $41,252. Graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in Pewaukee, WI, Waukesha County Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $46,398. Graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Set in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,256 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $24,161.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #17 spot in Wisconsin this year. This public school is set in Green Bay, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Median early-career earnings reach $42,016. Typical student debt is $14,997.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College placed #18 among the best colleges in Wisconsin. This public school is set in Rice Lake, WI. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $35,981. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College students take on a median of $11,384 in debt.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College landed the #19 spot in Wisconsin this year. Located in Fennimore, WI, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,904, compared with $7,147 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $42,087. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College students take on a median of $12,112 in debt.
Northcentral Technical College placed #20 among the best colleges in Wisconsin. Northcentral Technical College is a public school based in Wausau, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Early-career graduates earn a median of $41,696. Graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans.
Gateway Technical College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Gateway Technical College is a public school based in Kenosha, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Median early-career earnings reach $42,410. Typical student debt is $14,829.
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #22 among the best colleges in Wisconsin. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Median early-career earnings reach $38,325. Milwaukee Area Technical College students take on a median of $18,296 in debt.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Kenosha, WI, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a public institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $40,365. Graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex is a public school based in Milwaukee, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,750. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex graduates report median early-career earnings of $53,898. The median student debt is $23,820.
Mid State Technical College placed #25 among the best colleges in Wisconsin. Located in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Mid State Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, compared with $7,171 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $41,678. Graduates carry a median of $11,626 in student loans.
These 11 colleges rank #26 through #36 of 36 in Wisconsin. These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Colleges are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.