2023 Best Value Schools in Wisconsin
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Our analysis looked at 41 schools in Wisconsin to see which programs offered the best value experiences for students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Schools in Wisconsin
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Northcentral Technical College the best value school in Wisconsin for students working on their degree. Wausau, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,435 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Central Technical College are $5,415 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $13,759 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, North Central Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,732 during the early year of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Madison Area Technical College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Schools in Wisconsin list. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 3,411 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Madison College are $6,769 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $19,738 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Madison College graduates make an average of $40,202 annually.
Madison College also took the #2 spot in our Best Schools in Wisconsin rankings.
Out of the 41 schools in Wisconsin that were part of this year’s ranking, Fox Valley Technical College landed the # 3 spot on the list. FVTC is a public institution located in Appleton, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,502 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at FVTC are $6,861 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,511 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, FVTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,943 during the early year of their career.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, FVTC also is in the top 15% of our Best Schools in Wisconsin ranking.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Chippewa Valley Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Schools in Wisconsin list. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that handed out 2,462 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CVTC are $6,683 per year. On average, students take out $17,333 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from CVTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,325 during the early years of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Moraine Park Technical College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Schools in Wisconsin list. Moraine Park Technical College is a small public school located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin that handed out 1,490 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Moraine Park Technical College are $6,683 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,592 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Moraine Park Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,031 during the early year of their career.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Located in Fennimore, Wisconsin, the small public school handed out 837 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southwest Tech are $6,683 a year. On average, students take out $13,030 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Southwest Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,231 during the early years of their career.
Western Technical College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Wisconsin list. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the small public school awarded 1,273 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Western Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,687 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,427 in student loans.After graduating from Western Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,508 during the early years of their career.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #8 on the list. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Green Bay, Wisconsin that handed out 3,027 degrees in 2020-2021.
NWTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,849 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,377 in student loans.After graduating from NWTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,536 during the early years of their career.
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Wisconsin list. Located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,013 degrees in 2020-2021.
WCTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,603 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $18,321 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from WCTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,058 during the early years of their career.
Blackhawk Technical College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Located in Janesville, Wisconsin, the small public school awarded 690 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BTC are $6,683 per year. On average, students take out $14,654 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, BTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,255 during the early year of their career.
Lakeshore Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Wisconsin list. Lakeshore Technical College is a small public school located in Cleveland, Wisconsin that handed out 1,004 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LTC are $6,056 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,435 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, LTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,201 during the early year of their career.
Gateway Technical College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Gateway Technical College is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,549 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Gateway Technical College are $6,803 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,283 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Gateway Technical College graduates make an average of $34,772 annually.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Shell Lake, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,605 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WITC are $6,960 per year. On average, students take out $12,892 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, WITC graduates make an average of $32,898 annually.
Mid-State Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Wisconsin list. Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 965 students in 2020-2021.
Mid-State undergraduate students pay an average of $6,351 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,112 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Mid-State graduates make an average of $35,188 annually.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school handed out 2,746 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MATC are $6,908 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,775 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, MATC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,516 during the early year of their career.
University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. This medium-sized public school is located in River Falls, Wisconsin, and it awarded 1,568 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UW - River Falls are $15,661 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,659 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $115, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UW - River Falls graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,815 during the early year of their career.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, UW - River Falls is ranked #5 for overall quality in Wisconsin.
University of Wisconsin - Platteville landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. UW - Platteville is a medium-sized public school situated in Platteville, Wisconsin. It awarded 1,840 degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Platteville undergraduate students pay an average of $16,483 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $21,924 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $175. Once they receive their degree, UW - Platteville graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,080 during the early year of their career.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, UW - Platteville also did well on our Best Schools in Wisconsin list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Wisconsin ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and it awarded 3,121 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UW - Whitewater are $16,602 a year. On average, students take out $24,872 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $202 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UW - Whitewater, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,115 during the early years of their career.
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 2,682 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UW Oshkosh are $15,306 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,848 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $161. Once they receive their degree, UW Oshkosh graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,232 during the early year of their career.
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school handed out 2,715 degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - La Crosse undergraduate students pay an average of $18,014 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,366 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $158, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UW - La Crosse, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,651 during the early years of their career.
UW - La Crosse also made our Best Schools in Wisconsin list, coming in at #3.
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Wisconsin ranking. UW - Eau Claire is a public institution located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,021 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UW - Eau Claire are $17,149 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,871 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $121 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UW - Eau Claire graduates make an average of $42,330 annually.
UW - Eau Claire excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Schools in Wisconsin list.
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #22 on the list. Green Bay, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,855 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UW - Green Bay are $16,091 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,204 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $101.After graduating from UW - Green Bay, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,510 during the early years of their career.
University of Wisconsin - Stout ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Wisconsin list. UW - Stout is a public institution located in Menomonie, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,777 degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Stout undergraduate students pay an average of $17,820 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $24,863 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $157 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UW - Stout graduates make an average of $46,261 annually.
In addition to its great value ranking, UW - Stout is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Schools in Wisconsin list.
University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Wisconsin ranking. This large public school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 17,417 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UW - Madison are $38,608 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $20,865 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $336, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UW - Madison graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,802 during the early year of their career.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, UW - Madison is ranked #1 for overall quality in Wisconsin.
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,105 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UW - Stevens Point are $17,035 a year. On average, students take out $24,229 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $208 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UW - Stevens Point, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,544 during the early years of their career.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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