by our College Data Analytics TeamUniversity Of Wisconsin Madison ranks #1 of 79 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Colleges in Wisconsin ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 66% six-year graduation rate and $65,426 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 **79** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 79 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.
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University Of Wisconsin Madison leads the 79 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. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Early-career graduates earn a median of $59,877. Typical student debt is $21,813.
Out of the 79 colleges in Wisconsin in this year's ranking, Marquette University landed the #2 spot. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. 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.
Out of the 79 colleges in Wisconsin in this year's ranking, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #3 spot. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public school based in La Crosse, WI. About 71% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,223. The median student debt is $23,551.
The strong outcomes at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned it the #4 place in Wisconsin. Based in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Median early-career earnings reach $49,911. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire students take on a median of $22,574 in debt.
You'll be in good company at Fox Valley Technical College, which ranked #5 this year. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,020 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete a degree here.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee School Of Engineering graduates 67% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,480. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,677 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete a degree here.
Saint Norbert College did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in De Pere, WI, Saint Norbert College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,580. Median early-career earnings reach $48,421. Graduates carry a median of $26,578 in student loans.
Concordia University Wisconsin landed the #8 spot in Wisconsin this year. Set in Mequon, WI, Concordia University Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,227. Concordia University Wisconsin students take on a median of $27,172 in debt.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Platteville, WI. University Of Wisconsin Platteville posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. University Of Wisconsin Platteville graduates report median early-career earnings of $56,998. The median student debt is $23,677.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater did well this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Whitewater, WI, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $25,306.
Carroll University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Carroll University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waukesha, WI. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,890. Median early-career earnings reach $52,404. Graduates carry a median of $26,904 in student loans.
Lawrence University landed the #12 spot in Wisconsin this year. Located in Appleton, WI, Lawrence University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $56,982. Typical student debt is $15,699.
Medical College Of Wisconsin did well this year, earning the #13 position. Medical College Of Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. Graduates go on to earn a median of $118,387 early in their careers.
Bellin College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Set in Green Bay, WI, Bellin College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,658. Graduates go on to earn a median of $76,907 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,794 to complete a degree here.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Oshkosh, WI, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,590. Typical student debt is $24,619.
Moraine Park Technical College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. 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. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $39,552. Typical student debt is $11,471.
Viterbo University landed the #17 spot in Wisconsin this year. Viterbo University is a private not-for-profit school based in La Crosse, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $34,250 in tuition and fees. 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 Stout placed #18 among the best colleges in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public school based in Menomonie, WI. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. University Of Wisconsin Stout graduates report median early-career earnings of $54,235. University Of Wisconsin Stout students take on a median of $25,821 in debt.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls did well this year, earning the #19 position. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public school based in River Falls, WI. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Median early-career earnings reach $47,577. University Of Wisconsin River Falls students take on a median of $24,245 in debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. 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. Median early-career earnings reach $45,531. Graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans.
Carthage College did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Kenosha, WI, Carthage College is a private not-for-profit institution. Carthage College posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,750. Median early-career earnings reach $41,923. Carthage College students take on a median of $25,708 in debt.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College landed the #22 spot in Wisconsin this year. 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. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College graduates report median early-career earnings of $35,981. The median student debt is $11,384.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #23 among the best colleges in Wisconsin. Set in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates report median early-career earnings of $41,256. Typical student debt is $24,161.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans.
Madison Area Technical College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,279 early in their careers. Madison Area Technical College students take on a median of $16,812 in debt.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 79 in Wisconsin. These colleges also placed among the very best this year:
*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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.