Best Colleges in Wisconsin by ROI
Trying to find the best value in Wisconsin? We ranked all 35 colleges we track here on what graduates actually earn versus what families actually pay, using U.S. Department of Education data. University of Wisconsin-Madison comes out on top at 91/100 - here's how every school compares.
We scored all 35 Wisconsin colleges in our dataset from 0 to 100 on one thing: financial return. The state averages 55/100, on an average net price of $21,297 a year after grants and scholarships. The school that does best by your money is University of Wisconsin-Madison at 91/100.
Graduates of Milwaukee School of Engineering earn the most ten years out of any school in the state, a median $89,070. The lightest price tag belongs to University of Wisconsin-Parkside at $11,772 a year. The list below ranks every Wisconsin college we scored by ROI, so you can weigh what you'd pay against what you'd likely earn.
Top 10 Wisconsin Colleges by ROI Score
- 1University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI · PublicNet price$17,354/yrMedian earnings$73,79291ROI
- 2Milwaukee School of EngineeringMilwaukee, WI · Private NonprofitNet price$22,453/yrMedian earnings$89,07089ROI
- 3Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, WI · Private NonprofitNet price$31,487/yrMedian earnings$78,25783ROI
- 4University of Wisconsin-La CrosseLa Crosse, WI · PublicNet price$16,210/yrMedian earnings$60,37876ROI
- 5University of Wisconsin-PlattevillePlatteville, WI · PublicNet price$16,032/yrMedian earnings$61,76075ROI
- 6Bellin CollegeGreen Bay, WI · Private NonprofitNet price$37,408/yrMedian earnings$76,22272ROI
- 7University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireEau Claire, WI · PublicNet price$16,550/yrMedian earnings$58,56172ROI
- 8Carroll UniversityWaukesha, WI · Private NonprofitNet price$15,193/yrMedian earnings$58,00968ROI
- 9University of Wisconsin-StoutMenomonie, WI · PublicNet price$17,490/yrMedian earnings$58,08467ROI
- 10University of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver Falls, WI · PublicNet price$14,054/yrMedian earnings$54,45866ROI
Wisconsin College ROI: Common Questions
What is the best-value college in Wisconsin?
University of Wisconsin-Madison has the highest ROI score in Wisconsin at 91/100, while the lowest net price among Wisconsin schools we track is $11,772/year at University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Rankings are based on net price and median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
How much does college cost in Wisconsin?
The average net price across the 35 Wisconsin colleges in our dataset is $21,297 per year, after grants and scholarships are applied. Actual cost varies widely by family income and institution.
Which Wisconsin college has the highest graduate earnings?
Milwaukee School of Engineering reports the highest median earnings among Wisconsin schools we scored, at $89,070 ten years after enrollment. Higher earnings do not always mean better ROI, since cost matters just as much.
How many colleges in Wisconsin did CampusROI analyze?
We scored 35 colleges in Wisconsin on return on investment. Of those, 13 earn an ROI score of 60 or higher. See our methodology for how each score is calculated.
All Wisconsin Schools by ROI Score
35 schools
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
La Crosse, WI
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Platteville, WI
Bellin College
Green Bay, WI
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie, WI
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
River Falls, WI
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater, WI
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Green Bay, WI
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI
Edgewood College
Madison, WI
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI
Saint Norbert College
De Pere, WI
Beloit College
Beloit, WI
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI
Ripon College
Ripon, WI
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Kenosha, WI
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Milwaukee, WI
Maranatha Baptist University
Watertown, WI
Marian University
Fond Du Lac, WI
University of Wisconsin-Superior
Superior, WI
Lakeland University
Plymouth, WI
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Mequon, WI
Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI
Mount Mary University
Milwaukee, WI
Herzing University-Kenosha
Kenosha, WI
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee, WI
Northland College
Ashland, WI
Herzing University-Brookfield
Brookfield, WI
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release