2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Wisconsin
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Wisconsin? We have ranked 87 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree evaluated 25 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Wisconsin
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Wisconsin Lutheran College tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Graduate Degrees degree schools in Wisconsin. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,110. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,916. Median earnings reach $54,664 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,916 median debt. Wisconsin Lutheran College has an acceptance rate of 78%. More on Wisconsin Lutheran College
You'll get strong value at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse, which ranked #2 this year. Set in La Crosse, WI, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,378. Set against $23,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants. Read more about University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
Out of the 25 schools in Wisconsin in this year's value ranking, University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #2 spot. Based in Platteville, WI, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,760. Set against $23,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Platteville report
Out of the 25 schools in Wisconsin in this year's value ranking, University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Menomonie, WI. 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. Median earnings reach $58,084 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Stout
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin River Falls one of the best values in Wisconsin. This public school is set in River Falls, WI. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,458. That is a strong return on a $24,245 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%. More on University Of Wisconsin River Falls
Viterbo University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in La Crosse, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,250. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $29,107. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Viterbo University
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in Eau Claire, WI. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,561 ten years after entry. Set against $22,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire has an acceptance rate of 82%. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #8 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. Based in Whitewater, WI, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,356. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public school based in Green Bay, WI. 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. Median earnings reach $52,528 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,477 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. This public school is set in Oshkosh, WI. 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. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumni report median earnings of $55,548 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants. See the full University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh profile
University Of Wisconsin Superior offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. This public school is set in Superior, WI. 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. University Of Wisconsin Superior alumni report median earnings of $49,606 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Wisconsin Superior
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #13 spot for value in Wisconsin this year. Based in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 92% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Alverno College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Alverno College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,086. Graduates carry a median of $34,425 in student loans. Median earnings reach $53,145 ten years out. Set against $34,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alverno College has an acceptance rate of 86%. More on Alverno College
Carroll University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Waukesha, WI, Carroll University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,904. Median earnings reach $58,009 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,904 median debt. Carroll University has an acceptance rate of 67%. See the full Carroll University profile
Concordia University Wisconsin came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mequon, WI. 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. Concordia University Wisconsin alumni report median earnings of $56,075 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,172 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%. Get the full Concordia University Wisconsin report
Marian University Wisconsin landed the #17 spot for value in Wisconsin this year. Located in Fond Du Lac, WI, Marian University Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,204. Graduates carry a median of $27,242 in student loans. Median earnings reach $53,501 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,242 median debt. About 75% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Marian University Wisconsin profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #19 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school based in Milwaukee, WI. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,990 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee report
Lakeland College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Set in Plymouth, WI, Lakeland College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,396 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $29,722. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,961. That is a strong return on a $29,722 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Lakeland College
Mount Mary College came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Students from in state pay about $35,420 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,372. Mount Mary College alumni report median earnings of $48,745 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,372 median debt. Mount Mary College has an acceptance rate of 62%. See the full Mount Mary College profile
Marquette University placed #22 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,122 in student loans. Median earnings reach $78,257 ten years out. Set against $24,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%. Read more about Marquette University
Edgewood College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Edgewood College is a private not-for-profit school based in Madison, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,860. Edgewood College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,750 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,728 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Edgewood College
Milwaukee School Of Engineering landed the #24 spot for value in Wisconsin this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,480. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $27,667. Graduates go on to earn a median of $89,070 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 59% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Milwaukee School Of Engineering profile
Carthage College came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Kenosha, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $38,750. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,708. Carthage College alumni report median earnings of $56,950 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carthage College has an acceptance rate of 87%. Read more about Carthage College
Empire Beauty School Green Bay came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Empire Beauty School Green Bay
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Wisconsin
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
University Of Wisconsin System Administration ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about University Of Wisconsin System Administration
Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design placed #27 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. More on Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. More on Milwaukee Area Technical College
First Class Cosmetology School came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Read more about First Class Cosmetology School
Medical College Of Wisconsin came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Medical College Of Wisconsin
East West Healing Arts Institute placed #31 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. Read the full report on East West Healing Arts Institute
State College Of Beauty Culture Inc ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full State College Of Beauty Culture Inc report
Lakeshore Technical College came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. See the full Lakeshore Technical College profile
Advanced College Of Cosmetology offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. See the full Advanced College Of Cosmetology profile
Mid State Technical College came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. See the full Mid State Technical College profile
The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. See the full The Salon Professional Academy Onalaska profile
Blackhawk Technical College placed #37 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. More on Blackhawk Technical College
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #38 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. More on Chippewa Valley Technical College
Moraine Park Technical College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Moraine Park Technical College
Herzing University Madison ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Herzing University Madison
Midwest College Of Oriental Medicine Racine landed the #41 spot for value in Wisconsin this year. Get the full Midwest College Of Oriental Medicine Racine report
The Salon Professional Academy Kenosha came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. See the full The Salon Professional Academy Kenosha profile
House Of Heavilin Beauty College Academy Of Beauty Professionals Green Bay placed #43 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. Read the full report on House Of Heavilin Beauty College Academy Of Beauty Professionals Green Bay
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Southwest Wisconsin Technical College report
Saint Norbert College came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Saint Norbert College report
Shepherds College came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Shepherds College report
Bellin College
Bellin College came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. More on Bellin College
Beloit College
Beloit College placed #48 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Wisconsin. More on Beloit College
Vici Beauty School offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Vici Beauty School
Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Get the full Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa report
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 25 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).
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