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Best value colleges in the Midwest in Wisconsin

Colleges in the Midwest with an Academic Excellence grade of B+ or better, ranked by Value: net price after aid, earnings and debt.

Best value colleges in the Midwest in Wisconsin15 schools

15 schools qualify, ranked by Value.

How this list is made

  • Schools in Wisconsin.
  • Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
  • Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
  • In the Midwest (U.S. Census Bureau region).
  • Has a Value score from federal data (College Scorecard).
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by Value, highest first.

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

  1. 1

    University of Wisconsin-Madison

    Madison, WI · PublicHonor Roll

    #1 in Wisconsin

    • Value grade A · Top 7%
    • Net price $17,354 a year
  2. 2

    University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

    La Crosse, WI · Public

    #5 in Wisconsin

    • Value grade B+ · Top 23%
    • Net price $16,210 a year
  3. 3

    Milwaukee School of Engineering

    Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit

    Top 5% for earnings

    • Value grade B+ · Top 35%
    • Net price $22,453 a year
  4. 4

    Carroll University

    Waukesha, WI · Private nonprofit

    Top 20% for graduation

    • Value grade B+ · Top 35%
    • Net price $15,193 a year
  5. 5

    Viterbo University

    La Crosse, WI · Private nonprofit

    Top 23% for graduation

    • Value grade B
    • Net price $21,260 a year
  6. 6

    Ripon College

    Ripon, WI · Private nonprofit

    #16 in Wisconsin

    • Value grade B-
    • Net price $20,216 a year
  7. 7

    Marquette University

    Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit

    #3 in Wisconsin

    • Value grade B-
    • Net price $31,487 a year
  8. 8

    Beloit College

    Beloit, WI · Private nonprofit

    #4 in Wisconsin

    • Value grade B-
    • Net price $21,526 a year
  9. 9

    Maranatha Baptist University

    Watertown, WI · Private nonprofit

    #7 in Wisconsin

    • Value grade B-
    • Net price $26,005 a year
  10. 9

    Bellin College

    Green Bay, WI · Private nonprofit

    Top 10% for earnings

    • Value grade B-
    • Net price $37,408 a year
  11. 11

    Lawrence University

    Appleton, WI · Private nonprofit

    #2 in Wisconsin

    • Value grade B-
    • Net price $23,401 a year
  12. 12

    Wisconsin Lutheran College

    Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit

    Very good: Compass grade B+

    • Value grade B-
    • Net price $23,245 a year
  13. 13

    Saint Norbert College

    De Pere, WI · Private nonprofit

    Top 19% for graduation

    • Value grade B-
    • Net price $26,172 a year
  14. 14

    Concordia University-Wisconsin

    Mequon, WI · Private nonprofit

    Top 23% for graduation

    • Value grade C+
    • Net price $36,201 a year
  15. 15

    Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

    Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit

    Very good: Compass grade B+

    • Value grade C+
    • Net price $26,541 a year

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
University of Wisconsin-Madison$17,354$20,484$73,79290%
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse$16,210$22,500$60,37871%
Milwaukee School of Engineering$22,453$27,000$89,07067%
Carroll University$15,193$27,000$58,00971%
Viterbo University$21,260$25,000$55,66068%
Ripon College$20,216$27,000$54,90263%
Marquette University$31,487$23,940$78,25783%
Beloit College$21,526$25,738$53,26071%
Maranatha Baptist University$26,005$14,143$45,59364%
Bellin College$37,408$18,000$76,22263%
Lawrence University$23,401$26,000$55,78977%
Wisconsin Lutheran College$23,245$26,000$54,66464%
Saint Norbert College$26,172$26,731$58,36371%
Concordia University-Wisconsin$36,201$25,750$56,07568%
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design$26,541$27,000$41,17467%

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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