Most selective colleges in Wisconsin
Colleges that admit the smallest share of applicants.
Most selective colleges in Wisconsin15 schools
15 schools qualify, ranked by admission rate.
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 an admission rate from federal data (College Scorecard). Average SAT scores are shown where the college reports them.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by admission rate, lowest first. Selectivity measures demand for places, not the quality of teaching.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · PublicHonor Roll#1 in Wisconsin
- Admits 45%
- Average SAT 1427
- 2
- 3
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Admits 61%
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Maranatha Baptist University
Watertown, WI · Private nonprofit#7 in Wisconsin
- Admits 72%
- Average SAT 1170
- 8
- 9
- 10
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Admits 78%
- Average SAT 1239
- 11
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Mequon, WI · Private nonprofitTop 23% for graduation
- Admits 78%
- Average SAT 1190
- 12
- 13
- 14
Saint Norbert College
De Pere, WI · Private nonprofitTop 19% for graduation
- Admits 86%
- Average SAT 1182
- 15
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | $17,354 | $20,484 | $73,792 | 90% |
| Milwaukee School of Engineering | $22,453 | $27,000 | $89,070 | 67% |
| Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design | $26,541 | $27,000 | $41,174 | 67% |
| Beloit College | $21,526 | $25,738 | $53,260 | 71% |
| Lawrence University | $23,401 | $26,000 | $55,789 | 77% |
| Carroll University | $15,193 | $27,000 | $58,009 | 71% |
| Maranatha Baptist University | $26,005 | $14,143 | $45,593 | 64% |
| Viterbo University | $21,260 | $25,000 | $55,660 | 68% |
| University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | $16,210 | $22,500 | $60,378 | 71% |
| Wisconsin Lutheran College | $23,245 | $26,000 | $54,664 | 64% |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin | $36,201 | $25,750 | $56,075 | 68% |
| Ripon College | $20,216 | $27,000 | $54,902 | 63% |
| Marquette University | $31,487 | $23,940 | $78,257 | 83% |
| Saint Norbert College | $26,172 | $26,731 | $58,363 | 71% |
| Bellin College | $37,408 | $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 57
- Colorado 7
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 20
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 21
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 19
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- North Carolina 18
- Ohio 32
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 9
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 17
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 22
- Washington 12