Best colleges in the Milwaukee area
Colleges within 30 miles of Milwaukee, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges in the Milwaukee area7 schools
7 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Campus within 30 miles of the center of Milwaukee (straight-line distance from the school’s coordinates).
- 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
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit#3 in Wisconsin
- Net price $31,487 a year
- 83% graduate
- 2
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofitTop 5% for earnings
- Net price $22,453 a year
- 67% graduate
- 3
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- Net price $15,193 a year
- 71% graduate
- 4
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Mequon, WI · Private nonprofitTop 23% for graduation
- Net price $36,201 a year
- 68% graduate
- 5
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Net price $26,541 a year
- 67% graduate
- 6
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Net price $23,245 a year
- 64% graduate
- 7
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $26,565 a year
- 64% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette University | $31,487 | $23,940 | $78,257 | 83% |
| Milwaukee School of Engineering | $22,453 | $27,000 | $89,070 | 67% |
| Carroll University | $15,193 | $27,000 | $58,009 | 71% |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin | $36,201 | $25,750 | $56,075 | 68% |
| Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design | $26,541 | $27,000 | $41,174 | 67% |
| Wisconsin Lutheran College | $23,245 | $26,000 | $54,664 | 64% |
| Carthage College | $26,565 | $26,000 | $56,950 | 64% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.