Colleges with the lowest student debt in Wisconsin
Colleges whose graduates leave with the least federal student debt.
Colleges with the lowest student debt in Wisconsin15 schools
15 schools qualify, ranked by median debt.
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).
- Has the median federal loan debt of graduates from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by median debt, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Maranatha Baptist University
Watertown, WI · Private nonprofit#7 in Wisconsin
- Median debt $14,143
- 64% graduate
- 2
- 3
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · PublicHonor Roll#1 in Wisconsin
- Median debt $20,484
- 90% graduate
- 4
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
La Crosse, WI · Public#5 in Wisconsin
- Median debt $22,500
- 71% graduate
- 5
- 6
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI · Private nonprofitTop 23% for graduation
- Median debt $25,000
- 68% graduate
- 7
- 8
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Mequon, WI · Private nonprofitTop 23% for graduation
- Median debt $25,750
- 68% graduate
- 9Tie
- 9Tie
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Median debt $26,000
- 64% graduate
- 11
Saint Norbert College
De Pere, WI · Private nonprofitTop 19% for graduation
- Median debt $26,731
- 71% graduate
- 12Tie
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofitTop 5% for earnings
- Median debt $27,000
- 67% graduate
- 12Tie
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- Median debt $27,000
- 71% graduate
- 12Tie
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Median debt $27,000
- 67% graduate
- 12Tie
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maranatha Baptist University | $26,005 | $14,143 | $45,593 | 64% |
| Bellin College | $37,408 | $18,000 | $76,222 | 63% |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | $17,354 | $20,484 | $73,792 | 90% |
| University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | $16,210 | $22,500 | $60,378 | 71% |
| Marquette University | $31,487 | $23,940 | $78,257 | 83% |
| Viterbo University | $21,260 | $25,000 | $55,660 | 68% |
| Beloit College | $21,526 | $25,738 | $53,260 | 71% |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin | $36,201 | $25,750 | $56,075 | 68% |
| Lawrence University | $23,401 | $26,000 | $55,789 | 77% |
| Wisconsin Lutheran College | $23,245 | $26,000 | $54,664 | 64% |
| Saint Norbert College | $26,172 | $26,731 | $58,363 | 71% |
| Milwaukee School of Engineering | $22,453 | $27,000 | $89,070 | 67% |
| Carroll University | $15,193 | $27,000 | $58,009 | 71% |
| Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design | $26,541 | $27,000 | $41,174 | 67% |
| Ripon College | $20,216 | $27,000 | $54,902 | 63% |
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 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 61
- Colorado 6
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 15
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 19
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 16
- New York 75
- North Carolina 18
- Ohio 33
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 21
- Washington 13