2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in Wisconsin
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in Wisconsin? We have ranked 87 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree evaluated 77 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Wisconsin
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Wisconsin Lutheran College tops our 2026 ranking of the best Graduate Degrees degree schools in Wisconsin. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,110. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,916. More on Wisconsin Lutheran College
A rank of #2 makes Milwaukee School Of Engineering one of the top choices in Wisconsin. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,480. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $27,667. See the full Milwaukee School Of Engineering profile
A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top choices in Wisconsin. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $21,813 in debt. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
You'll be in good company at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse, which ranked #4 this year. Set in La Crosse, WI, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Students borrow a median of $23,551 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
You'll be in good company at Carroll University, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Waukesha, WI, Carroll University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,904. See the full Carroll University profile
Marquette University landed the #6 spot in Wisconsin this year. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,122 in student loans. Read more about Marquette University
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Platteville, WI, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $23,677. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Platteville report
Viterbo University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in La Crosse, WI. Viterbo University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,250. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $29,107. Read more about Viterbo University
University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #9 among Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. This public school is set in River Falls, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,245. More on University Of Wisconsin River Falls
Carthage College placed #10 among Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. This private not-for-profit school is set in Kenosha, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $38,750. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,708. Read more about Carthage College
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire did well this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Eau Claire, WI. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Menomonie, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. University Of Wisconsin Stout Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,821 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Stout
Mount Mary College landed the #13 spot in Wisconsin this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Mount Mary College posts a six-year graduation rate of 43%. Students from in state pay about $35,420 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,372. See the full Mount Mary College profile
Edgewood College landed the #14 spot in Wisconsin this year. Edgewood College is a private not-for-profit school based in Madison, WI. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,860. Edgewood College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,750 in debt. Read more about Edgewood College
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Whitewater, WI, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,306 in debt. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay came in at #16 in this year's ranking. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public school based in Green Bay, WI. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay graduates 53% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,477 in debt. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Concordia University Wisconsin did well this year, earning the #17 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mequon, WI. Concordia University Wisconsin posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Concordia University Wisconsin Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,172 in debt. Get the full Concordia University Wisconsin report
Marian University Wisconsin came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Fond Du Lac, WI, Marian University Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,204. Graduates carry a median of $27,242 in student loans. See the full Marian University Wisconsin profile
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #19 among Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. This public school is set in Oshkosh, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,619 in debt. See the full University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh profile
Alverno College placed #20 among Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Alverno College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. In-state tuition and fees average $34,086. Graduates carry a median of $34,425 in student loans. More on Alverno College
University Of Wisconsin Superior placed #21 among Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. This public school is set in Superior, WI. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,812, while out-of-state students pay about $16,726. Graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. More on University Of Wisconsin Superior
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #23 spot in Wisconsin this year. Based in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,161. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #24 spot in Wisconsin this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school based in Milwaukee, WI. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,657. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee report
Lakeland College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Plymouth, WI, Lakeland College is a private not-for-profit institution. Lakeland College graduates 42% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $33,396 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $29,722. Read more about Lakeland College
Herzing University Brookfield came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Get the full Herzing University Brookfield report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Wisconsin
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Janesville ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Tricoci University Of Beauty Culture Janesville report
The Salon Professional Academy Kenosha landed the #27 spot in Wisconsin this year. See the full The Salon Professional Academy Kenosha profile
The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness did well this year, earning the #28 position. See the full The Institute Of Beauty And Wellness profile
The Salon Professional Academy Appleton did well this year, earning the #29 position. Get the full The Salon Professional Academy Appleton report
University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #30 among Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Parkside report
Herzing University Kenosha ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Herzing University Kenosha report
Northcentral Technical College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Northcentral Technical College report
Gateway Technical College did well this year, earning the #33 position. See the full Gateway Technical College profile
The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. See the full The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska profile
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Ripon College
Ripon College did well this year, earning the #36 position. Read the full report on Ripon College
Advanced College Of Cosmetology ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Advanced College Of Cosmetology profile
Empire Beauty School Milwaukee landed the #38 spot in Wisconsin this year. Read more about Empire Beauty School Milwaukee
Blackhawk Technical College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. More on Blackhawk Technical College
Lakeshore Technical College placed #40 among Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. See the full Lakeshore Technical College profile
Sacred Heart School Of Theology did well this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on Sacred Heart School Of Theology
Wisconsin School Of Professional Psychology placed #42 among Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. Get the full Wisconsin School Of Professional Psychology report
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex placed #43 among Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex
Nashotah House
Nashotah House placed #44 among Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. More on Nashotah House
Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Get the full Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa report
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Read more about Waukesha County Technical College
First Class Cosmetology School came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Read more about First Class Cosmetology School
Paul Mitchell The School Milwaukee landed the #48 spot in Wisconsin this year. More on Paul Mitchell The School Milwaukee
Milwaukee Career College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Milwaukee Career College
House Of Heavilin Beauty College Academy Of Beauty Professionals Appleton placed #50 among Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. See the full House Of Heavilin Beauty College Academy Of Beauty Professionals Appleton profile
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 77 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 87 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).