Best Value Schools in Wisconsin
By Iris Stone
In this ranking, we highlight the best values among Wisconsin colleges and universities. For online options, see our ranking of the best value online colleges in Wisconsin.
Like many of its Northern, Midwestern neighbors, Wisconsin sits at the head of the pack when it comes to affordability, all thanks to its low cost of living and overall rural geography. Of course you'll also find expensive schools in Wisconsin, but in most cases you'll find the cost well justified. Extremely high-quality academics, pristine natural views, supportive communities, and active students are practically ubiquitous on college campuses in this state, and those who choose to attend one of the public schools (UW universities fill out 6 of the top 10 spots on this ranking) will be especially pleased with both their experiences and their bank account.
And for us, that combination was at the heart of our methodology. By focusing on a combination of carefully selected metrics, namely graduation rate, net price, acceptance rate, and net return on investment, we have been able to highlight the top Wisconsin colleges that are cheap financially but rich experientially.
Our Ranking Methodology:
Graduation Rate: This indicator refers to the percentage of students who complete their degree within 150% of normal time (six years for a typical four-year degree program). Schools that perform well in this area have a track record of keeping students engaged and successful for their entire time on campus. We weighted this category 30% of the total and retrieved the information from College Navigator.
Net Price: In order to make sure that cost was still a factor in the ranking, we also considered overall net price as an indicator. Taken from data on College Navigator, "net price" is an approximate value that refers to the average amount of money a student could expect to pay each year after taking into account tuition, room and board, living expenses, scholarship awards, and financial aid packages. We weighted this category 25% of the total.
Acceptance Rate: Academically challenging, popular universities tend to be more selective and thus have a lower acceptance rate. In order to pinpoint those colleges that boast rigorous academics and also receive a large number of applications, we considered acceptance rate – the percentage of students out of the total number of applicants who receive an acceptance letter. We retrieved this information from College Navigator and weighted it 30% of the total.
20-Year Net Return on Investment: Taken from information on the website PayScale, this statistic provides a picture of how much students can expect to make after they graduate from a particular college. More specifically, the figure is calculated by taking the average income an alumnus will make over his or her first 20 years after graduation and subtracting the amount paid in tuition. Schools with a high ROI tend to be better at preparing their students for the job market. We weighted this category only 15% because data was not available for all colleges considered.
After adding all the points, we gave each university a final score out of 200. The schools below have scores ranging from 94 to 168, and each has something different to offer in terms of its cost, quality, and reputation. No one college is perfect (which is why the scores vary so much) but this ranking offers you a premier selection of universities to help get you started on your search for an education in Wisconsin.
Ranking the Best Values in Wisconsin Colleges and Universities
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Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
Sources:
Pay Scale
College Navigator
Wikipedia – Concordia University System
This concludes our ranking of the best values among Wisconsin colleges and universities.
Further reading:
Best Value Colleges and Universities in Minnesota
About the Author:
Iris Stone began her writing career as a freelance writer and researcher. She now owns and operates a writing and editing firm that works with clients all across the country. Her work has included articles related to education policy, colleges and universities, academic programs, and careers.
