by our College Data Analytics TeamWith all of the graduate school options in Wisconsin, it can be hard to know where to start. This list ranks 81 programs by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual evaluated graduate schools 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.
Your ideal graduate school depends on your goals. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
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Here are the top-ranked graduate schools:
Our analysis found University Of Wisconsin Madison to be the best graduate school 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. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates report median early-career earnings of $59,877. Typical student debt is $21,813.
Marquette University came in at #2 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Wisconsin. Based in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $60,443. Graduates carry a median of $24,122 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned it the #3 place in Wisconsin. Based in La Crosse, WI, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,223. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse students take on a median of $23,551 in debt.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #4 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Wisconsin. Based in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates 65% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,911. Graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans.
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #5 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Wisconsin. Located in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $44,020. Graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans.
Saint Norbert College came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Saint Norbert College is a private not-for-profit school based in De Pere, WI. Saint Norbert College posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,580. Saint Norbert College graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,421. Graduates carry a median of $26,578 in student loans.
Carroll University landed the #7 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. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Carroll University graduates report median early-career earnings of $52,404. Carroll University students take on a median of $26,904 in debt.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Oshkosh, WI. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,590. The median student debt is $24,619.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee School Of Engineering posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,480. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $72,677. Graduates carry a median of $27,667 in student loans.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Platteville, WI, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,998 early in their careers. The median student debt is $23,677.
Bellin College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in Green Bay, WI, Bellin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Bellin College posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,658. Graduates go on to earn a median of $76,907 early in their careers. The median student debt is $24,794.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #12 among the best graduate schools in Wisconsin. Set in Whitewater, WI, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,767. Graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans.
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. This public school is set in Menomonie, WI. University Of Wisconsin Stout graduates 55% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,235 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,821 to complete a degree here.
Concordia University Wisconsin did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Mequon, WI, Concordia University Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Wisconsin posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,227 early in their careers. The median student debt is $27,172.
Lawrence University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in Appleton, WI, Lawrence University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. In-state tuition and fees average $56,982. The median student debt is $15,699.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in River Falls, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,577. The median student debt is $24,245.
Viterbo University placed #17 among the best graduate schools in Wisconsin. This private not-for-profit school is set in La Crosse, WI. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,250. Median early-career earnings reach $60,309. The median student debt is $29,107.
Medical College Of Wisconsin ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Medical College Of Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $118,387 early in their careers.
Chippewa Valley Technical College did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Eau Claire, WI, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Chippewa Valley Technical College graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,531. Typical student debt is $14,234.
Moraine Park Technical College landed the #20 spot in Wisconsin this year. Set in Fond du Lac, WI, Moraine Park Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. Moraine Park Technical College graduates report median early-career earnings of $39,552. The median student debt is $11,471.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Based in Rice Lake, WI, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Early-career graduates earn a median of $35,981. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College students take on a median of $11,384 in debt.
Madison Area Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $44,279. The median student debt is $16,812.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Set in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $41,256. Graduates carry a median of $24,161 in student loans.
Lakeshore Technical College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Lakeshore Technical College is a public school based in Cleveland, WI. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Median early-career earnings reach $41,252. The median student debt is $11,582.
Carthage College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Kenosha, WI. Carthage College posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,750. Median early-career earnings reach $41,923. Typical student debt is $25,708.
Not far behind, these graduate schools also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 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
See our data sources and methodologies.