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.

Top Grad Schools in Wisconsin 2024

  1. University of Wisconsin–Madison
    • Most Popular Degrees: Sociology, History, and Earth Sciences
  2. Marquette University
    • Most Popular Degrees: Religious Studies, Nursing, and Communications
  3. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
    • Most Popular Degrees: Psychology, Social Work, and Physics
  4. Concordia University Wisconsin
    • Most Popular Degrees: Religious Studies, History, and Nursing
  5. Edgewood College
    • Most Popular Degrees: Nursing, Sociology, and Religious Studies
  6. Marian University
    • Most Popular Degrees: Psychology, Social Work, and Nursing
  7. Cardinal Stritch University
    • Most Popular Degrees: Nursing, Communications, and Education

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. 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.

  2. #2

    Marquette University

    Milwaukee , WI
    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 6th 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. #5

    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

    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.

  6. #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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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.

  1. University of Wisconsin–Madison
  2. Marquette University
  3. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
  4. Edgewood College
  5. Cardinal Stritch University
  6. Marian University
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