Best Grad Schools in Wisconsin 2024

Badge for BEST IN WISCONSIN GRADUATE SCHOOLS

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.

Best Grad Schools in Wisconsin

Sort by:
  1. University of Wisconsin–Madison
  2. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
  3. Marquette University
  4. Concordia University Wisconsin
  5. Cardinal Stritch University
  6. Edgewood College
  7. Marian University
  1. University of Wisconsin–Madison
  2. Marquette University
  3. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
  4. Concordia University Wisconsin
  5. Edgewood College
  6. Cardinal Stritch University
  7. Marian University
  1. Edgewood College 99%
  2. Cardinal Stritch University 93%
  3. Marquette University 87%
  4. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee 86%
  5. Marian University 72%
  6. Concordia University Wisconsin 70%
  7. University of Wisconsin–Madison 49%
  1. University of Wisconsin–Madison 18 to 1
  2. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee 17 to 1
  3. Marquette University 13 to 1
  4. Marian University 12 to 1
  5. Edgewood College 12 to 1
  6. Concordia University Wisconsin 11 to 1
  7. Cardinal Stritch University 7 to 1
  1. Marquette University $46,670
  2. Cardinal Stritch University $35,444
  3. Edgewood College $33,550
  4. Concordia University Wisconsin $33,062
  5. Marian University $30,000
  6. University of Wisconsin–Madison $9,273
  7. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee $8,091
  1. Marquette University $22,410
  2. Edgewood College $18,296
  3. Concordia University Wisconsin $12,042
  4. Cardinal Stritch University $11,728
  5. Marian University $11,509
  6. University of Wisconsin–Madison $10,728
  7. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee $10,701
  1. Marian University
  2. Edgewood College
  3. Cardinal Stritch University
  4. Concordia University Wisconsin
  5. Marquette University
  6. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
  7. University of Wisconsin–Madison
  1. Marian University
  2. Cardinal Stritch University
  3. Edgewood College
  4. Concordia University Wisconsin
  5. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
  6. Marquette University
  7. University of Wisconsin–Madison
  1. University of Wisconsin–Madison 49%
  2. Concordia University Wisconsin 70%
  3. Marian University 72%
  4. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee 86%
  5. Marquette University 87%
  6. Cardinal Stritch University 93%
  7. Edgewood College 99%
  1. Cardinal Stritch University 7 to 1
  2. Concordia University Wisconsin 11 to 1
  3. Marian University 12 to 1
  4. Edgewood College 12 to 1
  5. Marquette University 13 to 1
  6. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee 17 to 1
  7. University of Wisconsin–Madison 18 to 1
  1. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee $8,091
  2. University of Wisconsin–Madison $9,273
  3. Marian University $30,000
  4. Concordia University Wisconsin $33,062
  5. Edgewood College $33,550
  6. Cardinal Stritch University $35,444
  7. Marquette University $46,670
  1. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee $10,701
  2. University of Wisconsin–Madison $10,728
  3. Marian University $11,509
  4. Cardinal Stritch University $11,728
  5. Concordia University Wisconsin $12,042
  6. Edgewood College $18,296
  7. Marquette University $22,410

Colleges and Universities in Wisconsin

Between community colleges, technical schools, and universities, Wisconsin has 30 public schools. All the public schools in Wisconsin have affordable tuitions, ranging from $4,000 to $11,000. The University of Wisconsin - Madison has over 35,000 students in attendance, making it the largest in the state. The tuition runs about $11,000, and the school boasts an 85% graduation rate. Public affairs, veterinary medicine, and human ecology are just some of the fields students can study here.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Of Wisconsin’s 29 private schools, 18 are religious. With just under 10,000 students, Marquette University is the largest, and tuition for this school is about $42,000. Located in Milwaukee, this Catholic, Jesuit university offers degrees in fields like business, engineering, physical therapy, and law. Also located in Milwaukee, the state’s smallest institution, the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology, is a private graduate school with just over 30 students, and is geared toward those earning their doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Wisconsin, like many states, also provides a loan forgiveness program to those who are working in the health care field.

When people think Wisconsin, they might immediately crave cheese. After all, the state is home to a museum dedicated to all things cheese, including the annual making of a 90-pound wheel of Swiss. But The Beaver State is also known for its more than 15,000 lakes, including Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. Prospective students looking to earn their associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree will enjoy the food, landscape, and educational variety Wisconsin has to offer.

Learn more about Wisconsin’s higher education opportunities by checking out the state’s variety of colleges and universities.


What are Wisconsin’s Colleges & Universities?

Wisconsin’s Best Overall


Wisconsin's Best Grad Schools Badge
Download Badge

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.

Back to Top

Best Grad Schools in Wisconsin 2023

  1. 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
  2. #6

    Edgewood College

    Madison , WI

    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
    What is Edgewood College known for?

    Edgewood College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  3. #7

    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
    What is Marian University known for?

    Marian University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Back to Top

Wisconsin’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 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.

  1. University of Wisconsin–Madison
  2. Marquette University
  3. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
  4. Edgewood College
  5. Cardinal Stritch University
  6. Marian University
Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here