2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin
When pursuing a degree in today's world, veterans have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin ranking.
We analyzed 55 colleges and universities across Wisconsin to determine which were the best for veterans and active service members. Our ranking is based on over 20 objective factors, including the school's overall quality, the number of GI Bill® recipients at the school, and the percentage of costs covered by the GI Bill®. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another.
Learn more about our ranking methodology.
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Top Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
Our analysis found University of Wisconsin - Stout to be the best school for veterans in Wisconsin in this year’s ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, and it awarded 1,906 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, UW - Stout supports 7,970 students, and 294 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 154 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,676. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The low student loan default rate of 3.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UW - Stout also is in the top 20% of our Best Schools in Wisconsin ranking.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at University of Wisconsin - Madison helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools for veterans in Wisconsin. This large public school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 13,342 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 44,640 students enrolled at UW - Madison, 554 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 346 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,489. On top of their other funding sources, 21 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. UW - Madison also made our Best Schools in Wisconsin list, coming in at #1.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. The school came in at #3 in Wisconsin on this year’s best for vets ranking. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 3,111 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Among the 11,989 students enrolled at UW - Whitewater, 365 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 207 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,867. In addition to receiving other benefits, 8 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. UW - Whitewater does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
UW - Whitewater excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Schools in Wisconsin list.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools for veterans in Wisconsin. Green Bay, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,683 students in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 343 of the 8,954 students enrolled at UW - Green Bay were GI Bill® students, of which 191 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,094. On top of their other funding sources, 2 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. The school came in at #5 in Wisconsin on this year’s best for vets ranking. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,160 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Of the 8,302 students enrolled at UW - Stevens Point, 304 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 139 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,096. In addition to receiving other benefits, 3 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. UW - Stevens Point does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Edgewood College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin list. Edgewood is a private not-for-profit institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 533 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 2,007 students enrolled at Edgewood, 72 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 52 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,176. In addition to receiving other benefits, 16 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Edgewood does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The low student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
With a ranking of #7, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin list. WITC is a public institution located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 334 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 2,818 students enrolled at WITC, 50 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 29 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,270. WITC does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Viterbo University landed the #8 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 702 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 2,516 students enrolled at Viterbo, 61 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 40 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $12,076. In addition to receiving other benefits, 3 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Marquette University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin ranking, coming in at #9. Marquette is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3,402 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
According to our most recent data, Marquette supports 11,550 students, and 139 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 101 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $16,012. To help with additional expenses, 31 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Marquette does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The low student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Marquette also made our Best Schools in Wisconsin list, coming in at #3.
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large public school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 2,586 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, UW - La Crosse supports 10,531 students, and 224 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 104 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,725. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. In addition to its best for vets ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, UW - La Crosse is ranked #2 for overall quality in Wisconsin.
Marian University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin ranking, coming in at #11. Marian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin that handed out 438 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 1,593 students enrolled at Marian, 54 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 49 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $9,537. In addition to receiving other benefits, 6 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Fox Valley Technical College did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin ranking, coming in at #12. This fairly large public school is located in Appleton, Wisconsin, and it awarded 1,026 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 399 of the 11,711 students enrolled at FVTC were GI Bill® students, of which 260 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,329. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #13 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin ranking. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,456 students in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 199 of the 5,855 students enrolled at UW - River Falls were GI Bill® students, of which 98 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,876. On top of their other funding sources, 3 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The low student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. UW - River Falls not only placed well in our veterans ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Schools in Wisconsin list.
University of Wisconsin - Superior ranked #14 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin list. University of Wisconsin - Superior is a small public school located in Superior, Wisconsin that handed out 641 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, UW - Superior supports 2,560 students, and 101 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 62 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,354. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh landed the #15 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin ranking. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 2,569 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, UW Oshkosh supports 15,314 students, and 392 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 206 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,133. On top of their other funding sources, 3 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. UW Oshkosh does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
With a ranking of #16, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin list. Located in Fennimore, Wisconsin, the small public school awarded 244 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Of the 2,581 students enrolled at Southwest Tech, 41 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 30 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,691. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #17 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin ranking. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a large public school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 6,415 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 24,565 students enrolled at UWM, 962 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 596 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,788. To help with additional expenses, 2 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. UWM does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
With a ranking of #18, Northcentral Technical College did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin list. This medium-sized public school is located in Wausau, Wisconsin, and it awarded 505 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 5,939 students enrolled at North Central Technical College, 186 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 102 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,145. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Milwaukee School of Engineering landed the #19 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin ranking. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 709 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Among the 2,673 students enrolled at MSOE, 116 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 77 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $19,640. In addition to receiving other benefits, 36 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. MSOE does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. In addition to its best for vets ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, MSOE is ranked #4 for overall quality in Wisconsin.
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin ranking, coming in at #20. Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,538 students in 2019-2020.
Among the 11,017 students enrolled at UW - Eau Claire, 257 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 108 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,770. To help with additional expenses, 3 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. UW - Eau Claire does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UW - Eau Claire also is in the top 15% of our Best Schools in Wisconsin ranking.
Lakeshore Technical College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin list. Cleveland, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 371 students in 2019-2020.
Of the 2,420 students enrolled at LTC, 80 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 69 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,643. LTC does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Carroll University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin ranking. Located in Waukesha, Wisconsin, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 803 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Carroll U supports 3,451 students, and 60 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 43 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,698. During this same period, 1 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The low student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
With a ranking of #23, Madison Area Technical College did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin list. This fairly large public school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 1,423 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Madison College supports 13,057 students, and 491 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 347 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,155. Madison College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin list. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Green Bay, Wisconsin that handed out 1,050 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 10,763 students enrolled at NWTC, 312 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 223 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,755. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
With a ranking of #25, University of Wisconsin - Platteville did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Wisconsin list. UW - Platteville is located in Platteville, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,957 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Among the 7,547 students enrolled at UW - Platteville, 267 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 164 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,778. In addition to receiving other benefits, 6 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
UW - Platteville excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Schools in Wisconsin list.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top 25 schools only.
**GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
References
- 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).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- 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%.
- Removed schools reflect instances of new data identified post-publication that warrant removal of a school from this year’s ranking.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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