There are lots of options to choose from today when trying to decide which school to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges in Wisconsin ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
We analyzed 31 colleges and universities across Wisconsin to determine which ones have the best bachelor's degree programs. To come up with this ranking of the best schools, we look at factors that are all objective measurements. We explain more about what we look at and why we do so below.
Better Early-Career Average Salaries
The average early-career salary of those graduating with a bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. While bachelor's degree recipients from schools in Wisconsin earn an average starting salary of $41,390, those from the top 25 school on this list made an average of $41,429.
Starting Salary ( 33300 to 47110 )
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their bachelor's so we factor that into our rankings as well.
Upon graduation, bachelor's degree recipients from schools in Wisconsin have accumulated an average of $27,888 in student debt.
The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
Our Best Bachelor's Degree Schools considers other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
Are you more interested in the top bachelor's degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list by location. In addition, we've put together a number of other college rankings that may help you in your search.
Our 2024 rankings named University of Wisconsin - Madison the best school in Wisconsin in terms of overall quality for students working on their bachelor’s degree. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 9,926 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from UW - Madison make an average of $43,876 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $22,543. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $336.
Out of the 31 bachelor’s degree schools in Wisconsin that were part of this year’s ranking, Marquette University landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 2,386 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Marquette go into careers with an average salary of $45,747 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,534. This translates to an average monthly payment of $485 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Wisconsin. UW - La Crosse is a fairly large public school situated in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It awarded 2,199 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $40,205 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,183. Average monthly loan payments are around $158 for a 10-year repayment plan.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. The school came in at #4 in Wisconsin on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school handed out 2,274 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UW - Eau Claire go into careers with an average salary of $39,401 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $23,464 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $121 for a 10-year repayment plan.
A rank of #5 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree in Wisconsin list means University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a great place for students working on their degree. UW - Whitewater is a public institution located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,281 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UW - Whitewater is $38,937 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $26,293 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $202 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
University of Wisconsin - Stout ranked #6 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin list. University of Wisconsin - Stout is a medium-sized public school located in Menomonie, Wisconsin that handed out 1,345 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from UW - Stout make an average of $43,120 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,748. This translates to an average monthly payment of $157 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
University of Wisconsin - River Falls came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking. UW - River Falls is a public institution located in River Falls, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,382 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UW - River Falls is $38,935 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $24,449 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $115 for a 10-year repayment plan.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking. This large public school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 3,975 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UWM go into careers with an average salary of $39,430 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $27,978 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $206 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
With a ranking of #9, Saint Norbert College did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin list. Saint Norbert College is a small private not-for-profit school located in De Pere, Wisconsin that handed out 484 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from SNC go into careers with an average salary of $39,527 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,664 in student loans.
University of Wisconsin - Platteville landed the #10 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Platteville, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,493 students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $47,499 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $24,461 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $175 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Milwaukee School of Engineering came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking. MSOE is a private not-for-profit institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 540 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from MSOE go into careers with an average salary of $62,999 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $28,679 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $293 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Viterbo University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking, coming in at #12. Viterbo is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 406 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $48,886 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $30,370 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $326 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Carroll University landed the #13 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Carroll U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 699 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Carroll U make an average of $41,845 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $27,111 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $394.
Alverno College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin list. Alverno College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 284 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Alverno make an average of $40,085 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $35,556 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $253 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,727 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $36,386 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $25,102. This translates to an average monthly payment of $208 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
With a ranking of #16, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin list. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school handed out 1,804 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from UW Oshkosh make an average of $40,191 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $25,495. This translates to an average monthly payment of $161 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Herzing University - Madison came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Herzing University - Madison is a private not-for-profit institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 228 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Herzing University - Madison make an average of $50,387 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $44,120 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $204 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Northland College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin list. Northland is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ashland, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 141 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Northland is $29,761 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $27,000.
With a ranking of #19, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin list. University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is a medium-sized public school located in Green Bay, Wisconsin that handed out 1,448 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UW - Green Bay make an average of $36,099 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $24,869 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $101.
Concordia University, Wisconsin did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Mequon, Wisconsin, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 668 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University, Wisconsin make an average of $41,611 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $27,470 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $401 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Beloit College did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking, coming in at #21. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Beloit, Wisconsin, and it awarded 325 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Beloit go into careers with an average salary of $26,603 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $25,806.
Carthage College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Carthage is a private not-for-profit institution located in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 636 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Carthage make an average of $35,852 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,415 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $471 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Wisconsin Lutheran College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin list. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 270 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from WLC is $43,693 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,708 in student loans.
Edgewood College did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking, coming in at #24. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 387 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Edgewood is $41,335 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,991.
Marian University landed the #25 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Marian is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. It awarded 272 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Marian make an average of $43,313 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $27,920 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $167 for a 10-year repayment plan.
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).
Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
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