by our College Data Analytics TeamUniversity Of Wisconsin Madison ranks #1 of 41 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’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 65% six-year graduation rate and $64,570 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, it can be hard to know where to start. Our ranking highlights **41** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 41 colleges using more than 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.
University Of Wisconsin Madison leads the 41 ranked colleges in Wisconsin, followed by Marquette University (#2) and University Of Wisconsin La Crosse (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Madison, our #1 college in Wisconsin. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Early-career graduates earn a median of $59,877. Graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at Marquette University, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Marquette University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,170. Early-career graduates earn a median of $60,443. Typical student debt is $24,122.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin La Crosse one of the top colleges in Wisconsin. Set in La Crosse, WI, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Median early-career earnings reach $49,223. Students borrow a median of $23,551 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Eau Claire, WI. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Median early-career earnings reach $49,911. Typical student debt is $22,574.
The strong outcomes at Saint Norbert College earned it the #5 place in Wisconsin. Based in De Pere, WI, Saint Norbert College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Students from in state pay about $45,580 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $48,421. Saint Norbert College students take on a median of $26,578 in debt.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,480. Median early-career earnings reach $72,677. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete a degree here.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #7 among the best colleges in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public school based in Platteville, WI. About 61% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $56,998. Graduates carry a median of $23,677 in student loans.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #8 among the best colleges in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public school based in Whitewater, WI. About 63% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,767. Graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans.
Carroll University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Located in Waukesha, WI, Carroll University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,404 early in their careers. Carroll University students take on a median of $26,904 in debt.
Lawrence University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Appleton, WI. Lawrence University posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,982. Lawrence University students take on a median of $15,699 in debt.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Oshkosh, WI, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $24,619.
University Of Wisconsin Stout did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Menomonie, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,235 early in their careers. The median student debt is $25,821.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in River Falls, WI, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,577. Graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans.
Bellin College did well this year, earning the #14 position. Bellin College is a private not-for-profit school based in Green Bay, WI. About 63% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,658. Median early-career earnings reach $76,907. Students borrow a median of $24,794 to complete a degree here.
Carthage College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Kenosha, WI, Carthage College is a private not-for-profit institution. Carthage College posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Students from in state pay about $38,750 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,923 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,708 to complete a degree here.
Concordia University Wisconsin landed the #16 spot in Wisconsin this year. Concordia University Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit school based in Mequon, WI. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,227. The median student debt is $27,172.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #17 spot in Wisconsin this year. Located in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates 56% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates report median early-career earnings of $41,256. Graduates carry a median of $24,161 in student loans.
Viterbo University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Viterbo University is a private not-for-profit school based in La Crosse, WI. Viterbo University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,250. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $60,309. Students borrow a median of $29,107 to complete a degree here.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #19 among the best colleges in Wisconsin. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #20 spot in Wisconsin this year. Set in Green Bay, WI, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Median early-career earnings reach $42,853. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay students take on a median of $24,477 in debt.
Wisconsin Lutheran College landed the #21 spot in Wisconsin this year. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Students from in state pay about $36,110 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $54,908. Wisconsin Lutheran College students take on a median of $26,916 in debt.
Edgewood College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Madison, WI, Edgewood College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,860. Edgewood College graduates report median early-career earnings of $56,578. The median student debt is $26,750.
Marian University Wisconsin did well this year, earning the #23 position. Marian University Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit school based in Fond Du Lac, WI. About 44% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,204. Marian University Wisconsin graduates report median early-career earnings of $72,102. Graduates carry a median of $27,242 in student loans.
Ripon College landed the #24 spot in Wisconsin this year. Set in Ripon, WI, Ripon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Ripon College graduates 63% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,900. Median early-career earnings reach $35,385. The median student debt is $26,973.
Beloit College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Beloit, WI, Beloit College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $60,886 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,499 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $25,998.
These 16 colleges rank #26 through #41 of 41 in Wisconsin. These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider 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
More about our data sources and methodologies.