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Best colleges for communications and journalism in Wisconsin

Colleges that offer a bachelor’s in communication, journalism, or a related field, ranked by Compass Score.

Best colleges for communications and journalism in Wisconsin27 schools

27 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score. The top 25 are shown.

How this list is made

  • Schools in Wisconsin.
  • Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
  • Offers a bachelor’s program in communication and journalism, from the College Scorecard field-of-study data (credential level 3).
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

  1. 1

    University of Wisconsin-Madison

    Madison, WI · PublicHonor Roll

    #1 in Wisconsin

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade A · Top 7%
  2. 2

    Marquette University

    Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit

    #3 in Wisconsin

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B-
  3. 3

    Beloit College

    Beloit, WI · Private nonprofit

    #4 in Wisconsin

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B-
  4. 4

    University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

    La Crosse, WI · Public

    #5 in Wisconsin

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B+ · Top 23%
  5. 5

    Milwaukee School of Engineering

    Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit

    Top 5% for earnings

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B+ · Top 35%
  6. 6

    Maranatha Baptist University

    Watertown, WI · Private nonprofit

    #7 in Wisconsin

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B-
  7. 7

    Carroll University

    Waukesha, WI · Private nonprofit

    Top 20% for graduation

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B+ · Top 35%
  8. 8

    Saint Norbert College

    De Pere, WI · Private nonprofit

    Top 19% for graduation

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B-
  9. 9

    University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

    Eau Claire, WI · Public

    #12 in Wisconsin

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B+ · Top 23%
  10. 10

    Concordia University-Wisconsin

    Mequon, WI · Private nonprofit

    Top 23% for graduation

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade C+
  11. 11

    Wisconsin Lutheran College

    Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit

    Very good: Compass grade B+

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B-
  12. 12

    Ripon College

    Ripon, WI · Private nonprofit

    #16 in Wisconsin

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B-
  13. 13

    University of Wisconsin-Platteville

    Platteville, WI · Public

    Top 25% for earnings

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade A- · Top 20%
  14. 14

    Carthage College

    Kenosha, WI · Private nonprofit

    Good: Compass grade B

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B-
  15. 15

    University of Wisconsin-River Falls

    River Falls, WI · Public

    Good: Compass grade B

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B+ · Top 21%
  16. 16

    Edgewood College

    Madison, WI · Private nonprofit

    Good: Compass grade B

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B-
  17. 17

    University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

    Whitewater, WI · Public

    Good: Compass grade B

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B+ · Top 26%
  18. 18

    University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

    Stevens Point, WI · Public

    Good: Compass grade B-

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B+ · Top 29%
  19. 19

    University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

    Milwaukee, WI · Public

    Good: Compass grade B-

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B+ · Top 29%
  20. 20

    University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

    Green Bay, WI · Public

    #26 in Wisconsin

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade A- · Top 18%
  21. 21

    University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

    Oshkosh, WI · Public

    #27 in Wisconsin

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B+ · Top 22%
  22. 22

    University of Wisconsin-Superior

    Superior, WI · Public

    Top 22% for low net price

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B+ · Top 29%
  23. 23

    Mount Mary University

    Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit

    Solid: Compass grade C+

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B-
  24. 24

    University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    Kenosha, WI · Public

    Top 20% for low net price

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade A- · Top 20%
  25. 25

    Marian University

    Fond Du Lac, WI · Private nonprofit

    Solid: Compass grade C+

    • Bachelor’s program in communication and journalism
    • Value grade B-

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
University of Wisconsin-Madison$17,354$20,484$73,79290%
Marquette University$31,487$23,940$78,25783%
Beloit College$21,526$25,738$53,26071%
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse$16,210$22,500$60,37871%
Milwaukee School of Engineering$22,453$27,000$89,07067%
Maranatha Baptist University$26,005$14,143$45,59364%
Carroll University$15,193$27,000$58,00971%
Saint Norbert College$26,172$26,731$58,36371%
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire$16,550$20,909$58,56164%
Concordia University-Wisconsin$36,201$25,750$56,07568%
Wisconsin Lutheran College$23,245$26,000$54,66464%
Ripon College$20,216$27,000$54,90263%
University of Wisconsin-Platteville$16,032$21,977$61,76056%
Carthage College$26,565$26,000$56,95064%
University of Wisconsin-River Falls$14,054$20,500$54,45857%
Edgewood College$26,113$24,424$59,72860%
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater$14,158$23,188$55,35659%
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point$14,559$21,503$52,02151%
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee$15,014$23,000$54,99049%
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay$13,369$18,500$52,52848%
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh$14,305$21,500$55,54846%
University of Wisconsin-Superior$12,220$22,500$49,60642%
Mount Mary University$20,144$25,288$48,74543%
University of Wisconsin-Parkside$11,772$20,492$51,12940%
Marian University$21,937$25,000$53,50144%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

This list in other states

The national list → · All top school lists →

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