Best Grad Schools in Wisconsin 2024

Badge for BEST IN WISCONSIN GRADUATE SCHOOLS

By Dr. James Barham

Published: May 6, 2021
Updated: Aug 13, 2024

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Wisconsin offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

Top Grad Schools in Wisconsin 2024

University of Wisconsin–Madison

Most Popular Degrees: Sociology, History, and Earth Sciences

Marquette University

Most Popular Degrees: Religious Studies, Nursing, and Communications

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

Most Popular Degrees: Psychology, Social Work, and Physics

Concordia University Wisconsin

Most Popular Degrees: Religious Studies, History, and Nursing

Edgewood College

Most Popular Degrees: Nursing, Sociology, and Religious Studies

Marian University

Most Popular Degrees: Psychology, Social Work, and Nursing

Cardinal Stritch University

Most Popular Degrees: Nursing, Communications, and Education

Table of Contents

There are 7 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Wisconsin. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Wisconsin is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

Best Grad Schools in Wisconsin 2024

#1
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Madison , WI
#7 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2025 #7 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2025 #7 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #12 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
49%
Graduation
89%
Student body
51K
Median SAT/ACT
1425/29
Career Outlook for degree at University of Wisconsin–Madison
Cost of Degree: $10,796
Expenses: $17,198
Starting Salary: $68,000
Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is one of the most successful research institutions in the world and offers superb graduate education. Its remarkable research efforts have prepared generations of graduates across a wide range of disciplines.
What we love about the University of Wisconsin–Madison:
The university offers 180+ master’s and 140 doctoral programs, providing students with a wide range of options to choose from.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is ideal for students who:
Long to be part of a school that embraces diversity and inclusivity.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison might not be the best fit for students who:
Might find the university’s out-of-state tuition to be expensive.
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#2
Marquette University
Milwaukee , WI
#14 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Wisconsin 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in Wisconsin 2025
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$47K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
83%
Student body
12K
Median SAT/ACT
1265/28
Career Outlook for degree at Marquette University
Cost of Degree: $46,670
Expenses: $17,892
Starting Salary: $70,700
Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Marquette University is a Catholic Jesuit university committed to cultivating knowledge, diverse skill sets, and sense of community among its students. It offers 85 undergraduate majors, 75 master’s and doctoral programs, and 24 graduate certificate programs. It is ranked 6^th in the country for job placement.
What we love about Marquette University:
The university is one of the top private universities for internships.
Marquette University is ideal for students who:
Value a school with a student-faculty ratio of 13:1 or less to ensure one-on-one interactions with professors.
Marquette University might not be the best fit for students who:
Seek a university offering large-scale research opportunities to get more hands- on experience.
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#3
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Milwaukee , WI
#2 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin 2025 #2 Best Colleges in Wisconsin 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Wisconsin 2025
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
48%
Student body
28K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Cost of Degree: $9,620
Expenses: $15,130
Starting Salary: $48,200
Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee is one of the top research universities in Wisconsin and the rest of the nation. It is home to the largest collaboration of health sciences, nursing, and public health programs in the state.
What we love about the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee:
The school is a top-tier urban research university offering over 150 master’s, doctoral, professional, and certificate programs.
The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee is ideal for students who:
Love a large campus in a rural setting.
The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee might not be the best fit for students who:
Need on-campus housing since this university offers limited accommodations to its students.
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#4
Concordia University Wisconsin
Mequon , WI
#4 Best Research Universities in Wisconsin 2025 #4 Best Christian Colleges in Wisconsin 2024 #5 Best Small Colleges in Wisconsin 2024 #6 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
66%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Concordia University Wisconsin
Cost of Degree: $33,062
Expenses: $19,260
Starting Salary: $47,300
Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran academic institution committed to ensuring students develop their minds, bodies, and spirits to serve Christ and the world. For over 140 years, this school has dedicated its time and resources to enriching the lives of Christian leaders.
What we love about Concordia University Wisconsin:
This university has been voted the safest campus in Wisconsin.
Concordia University Wisconsin is ideal for students who:
Want to the grad school with the number one MBA program in the state of Wisconsin.
Concordia University Wisconsin might not be the best fit for students who:
Wish to study at an institution that prioritizes research opportunities.
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#5
Edgewood College
Madison , WI
#5 Best Research Universities in Wisconsin 2025 #5 Best Christian Colleges in Wisconsin 2024
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
62%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Edgewood College
Cost of Degree: $33,550
Expenses: $15,832
Starting Salary: $47,600
Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Edgewood College is a Catholic school in the Dominican tradition that emphasizes listening, informed reflection, and prayer. At this college, students complete their degrees and enjoy engaging and challenging experiences that help prepare them to make a difference in the world.
What we love about Edgewood College:
It provides students with opportunities to study in Australia, Italy, New Zealand, and the U.K., among others.
Edgewood College is ideal for students who:
Prefer a school that offers plenty of opportunities for hands-on experience in their fields of study.
Edgewood College might not be the best fit for students who:
Would like more dining options.
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#6
Marian University
Fond Du Lac , WI
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
51%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Marian University
Cost of Degree: $30,000
Expenses: $12,190
Starting Salary: $46,700
Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Marian University was founded in 1936 and started as a co-educational Catholic university committed to inspiring students to achieve their personal and professional goals through values- based education.
What we love about Marian University:
It is a Catholic liberal arts community that embraces compassion and justice in order to change lives through leadership and professional service in the community.
Marian University is ideal for students who:
Thrive in a school with a rich Catholic heritage.
Marian University might not be the best fit for students who:
Want a school with a livelier social scene.
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#7
Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee , WI
#6 Best Research Universities in Wisconsin 2025 #7 Best Small Colleges in Wisconsin 2024 #8 Best Christian Colleges in Wisconsin 2024 #8 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
52%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Cardinal Stritch University
Cost of Degree: $35,444
Expenses: $14,792
Starting Salary: $55,400
Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Cardinal Stritch University known for?

Cardinal Stritch University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Nursing
Communications
Education
History
Psychology
Business
Biology
Sociology
Social Work
Mathematics

Most Influential Alumni

Marijuana Pepsi Vandyck
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Wisconsin’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

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