Most affordable colleges with strong academics in Wisconsin
The lowest net prices among colleges with an Academic Excellence grade of B or better.
Most affordable colleges with strong academics in Wisconsin15 schools
15 schools qualify, ranked by net price.
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 a net price from federal data (the average yearly cost after grants, College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by net price, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- Net price $15,193 a year
- 71% graduate
- 2
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
La Crosse, WI · Public#5 in Wisconsin
- Net price $16,210 a year
- 71% graduate
- 3
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · PublicHonor Roll#1 in Wisconsin
- Net price $17,354 a year
- 90% graduate
- 4
- 5
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI · Private nonprofitTop 23% for graduation
- Net price $21,260 a year
- 68% graduate
- 6
- 7
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofitTop 5% for earnings
- Net price $22,453 a year
- 67% graduate
- 8
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Net price $23,245 a year
- 64% graduate
- 9
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI · Private nonprofit#2 in Wisconsin
- Net price $23,401 a year
- 77% graduate
- 10
Maranatha Baptist University
Watertown, WI · Private nonprofit#7 in Wisconsin
- Net price $26,005 a year
- 64% graduate
- 11
Saint Norbert College
De Pere, WI · Private nonprofitTop 19% for graduation
- Net price $26,172 a year
- 71% graduate
- 12
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Net price $26,541 a year
- 67% graduate
- 13
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit#3 in Wisconsin
- Net price $31,487 a year
- 83% graduate
- 14
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Mequon, WI · Private nonprofitTop 23% for graduation
- Net price $36,201 a year
- 68% graduate
- 15
Bellin College
Green Bay, WI · Private nonprofitTop 10% for earnings
- Net price $37,408 a year
- 63% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll University | About $15,000 | $27,000 | $58,009 | 71% |
| University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | About $16,000 | $22,500 | $60,378 | 71% |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | About $17,000 | $20,484 | $73,792 | 90% |
| Ripon College | About $20,000 | $27,000 | $54,902 | 63% |
| Viterbo University | About $21,000 | $25,000 | $55,660 | 68% |
| Beloit College | About $22,000 | $25,738 | $53,260 | 71% |
| Milwaukee School of Engineering | About $22,000 | $27,000 | $89,070 | 67% |
| Wisconsin Lutheran College | About $23,000 | $26,000 | $54,664 | 64% |
| Lawrence University | About $23,000 | $26,000 | $55,789 | 77% |
| Maranatha Baptist University | About $26,000 | $14,143 | $45,593 | 64% |
| Saint Norbert College | About $26,000 | $26,731 | $58,363 | 71% |
| Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design | About $27,000 | $27,000 | $41,174 | 67% |
| Marquette University | About $31,000 | $23,940 | $78,257 | 83% |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin | About $36,000 | $25,750 | $56,075 | 68% |
| Bellin College | About $37,000 | $18,000 | $76,222 | 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 63
- 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 47
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 33
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13