Best small colleges in Wisconsin
Colleges with fewer than 2,000 undergraduates, ranked by Compass Score.
Best small colleges in Wisconsin15 schools
15 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Wisconsin.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Fewer than 2,000 undergraduate students (federal enrollment).
- 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.
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- 3
Maranatha Baptist University
Watertown, WI · Private nonprofit#7 in Wisconsin
- 759 undergraduates
- 64% graduate
- 4
- 5
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI · Private nonprofitTop 23% for graduation
- 1,443 undergraduates
- 68% graduate
- 6
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- 885 undergraduates
- 67% graduate
- 7
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- 1,021 undergraduates
- 64% graduate
- 8
- 9
Herzing University-Kenosha
Kenosha, WI · Private nonprofitTop 17% for graduation
- 543 undergraduates
- 72% graduate
- 10
Edgewood College
Madison, WI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- 1,214 undergraduates
- 60% graduate
- 11
Mount Mary University
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofitSolid: Compass grade C+
- 781 undergraduates
- 43% graduate
- 12
Marian University
Fond Du Lac, WI · Private nonprofitSolid: Compass grade C+
- 1,074 undergraduates
- 44% graduate
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Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa
Wauwatosa, WI · Private nonprofit#33 in Wisconsin
- 952 undergraduates
- 20% graduate
- 15
Herzing University-Brookfield
Brookfield, WI · Private nonprofit#35 in Wisconsin
- 379 undergraduates
- 42% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence University | $23,401 | $26,000 | $55,789 | 77% |
| Beloit College | $21,526 | $25,738 | $53,260 | 71% |
| Maranatha Baptist University | $26,005 | $14,143 | $45,593 | 64% |
| Bellin College | $37,408 | $18,000 | $76,222 | 63% |
| Viterbo University | $21,260 | $25,000 | $55,660 | 68% |
| Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design | $26,541 | $27,000 | $41,174 | 67% |
| Wisconsin Lutheran College | $23,245 | $26,000 | $54,664 | 64% |
| Ripon College | $20,216 | $27,000 | $54,902 | 63% |
| Herzing University-Kenosha | $23,066 | $21,500 | $36,909 | 72% |
| Edgewood College | $26,113 | $24,424 | $59,728 | 60% |
| Mount Mary University | $20,144 | $25,288 | $48,745 | 43% |
| Marian University | $21,937 | $25,000 | $53,501 | 44% |
| Alverno College | $22,540 | $27,000 | $53,145 | 49% |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa | $14,858 | $21,549 | $32,568 | 20% |
| Herzing University-Brookfield | $20,514 | $21,500 | $36,909 | 42% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 10
- Arizona 8
- Arkansas 13
- California 63
- Colorado 5
- Connecticut 10
- Florida 27
- Georgia 24
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 25
- Indiana 20
- Iowa 23
- Kansas 18
- Kentucky 18
- Louisiana 8
- Maine 11
- Maryland 13
- Massachusetts 31
- Michigan 23
- Minnesota 19
- Mississippi 8
- Missouri 31
- Montana 7
- Nebraska 12
- New Hampshire 7
- New Jersey 18
- New Mexico 7
- New York 55
- North Carolina 34
- North Dakota 4
- Ohio 58
- Oklahoma 11
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 69
- Puerto Rico 31
- South Carolina 19
- South Dakota 5
- Tennessee 24
- Texas 31
- Utah 7
- Vermont 4
- Virginia 30
- Washington 12
- West Virginia 12