Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin 2026

Badge for MOST AFFORDABLE COLLEGES IN WISCONSIN
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Jenn Finley
Updated:

Key Takeaways

  • Many of the schools in our ranking of the most affordable colleges in Wisconsin have tuition of less than $8,000.
  • Public universities in Wisconsin are typically more affordable than private colleges.
  • Even though public universities in Wisconsin are typically more affordable, private colleges may award more financial aid, scholarships, and grants, lowering the overall cost of tuition.

10 Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin 2026

  1. University of Wisconsin–Madison
  2. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
  3. University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
    +2
  4. University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
    –1
  5. University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
    –1
  6. University of Wisconsin–River Falls
  7. University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh
  8. University of Wisconsin–Green Bay
  9. University of Wisconsin–Stout
  10. University of Wisconsin–Platteville
    +2

There are 14 colleges and universities in Wisconsin with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Wisconsin is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.

Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin 2025

These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.

  1. #1

    University of Wisconsin–Madison

    Madison , WI
    #6 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2026 #7 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2026 #7 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2026 #7 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    45%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    54K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1450/31

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Wisconsin–Madison

    Cost of Degree: $11,205
    Expenses: $17,700
    Starting Salary: $80,330
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Wisconsin–Madison known for?

    University of Wisconsin–Madison’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  2. #2

    University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

    Milwaukee , WI
    #2 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2026 #3 Best Grad Schools in Wisconsin 2026 #3 Best Research Universities in Wisconsin 2026 #3 Best Colleges in Wisconsin 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    26K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

    Cost of Degree: $10,020
    Expenses: $15,380
    Starting Salary: $59,268
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee known for?

    University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  3. #3

    University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire

    Eau Claire , WI
    #3 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2026 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Wisconsin 2026 #10 Best Colleges in Wisconsin 2026 #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Wisconsin

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire

    Cost of Degree: $9,277
    Expenses: $12,966
    Starting Salary: $62,438
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire known for?

    University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point

    Stevens Point , WI
    #4 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2026 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Wisconsin 2026 #5 Top 10 Best Online Bachelor's of Web Design Degree Programs 2026 #6 Best Online Master's Programs in Wisconsin 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    9K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point

    Cost of Degree: $8,834
    Expenses: $12,072
    Starting Salary: $54,432
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point known for?

    University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  6. #5

    University of Wisconsin–Whitewater

    Whitewater , WI
    #5 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2026 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Wisconsin 2026 #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Wisconsin #5 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Business Degree Programs 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    13K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Wisconsin–Whitewater

    Cost of Degree: $8,250
    Expenses: $11,310
    Starting Salary: $59,084
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Wisconsin–Whitewater known for?

    University of Wisconsin–Whitewater’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  7. #6

    University of Wisconsin–River Falls

    River Falls , WI
    #6 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2026 #10 Best Online MBA Programs in Wisconsin

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Wisconsin–River Falls

    Cost of Degree: $8,606
    Expenses: $11,798
    Starting Salary: $56,914
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Wisconsin–River Falls known for?

    University of Wisconsin–River Falls’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  8. #7

    University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh

    Oshkosh , WI
    #7 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2026 #7 Best Online MBA Programs in Wisconsin #18 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    16K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh

    Cost of Degree: $8,212
    Expenses: $12,940
    Starting Salary: $59,275
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh known for?

    University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  9. #8

    University of Wisconsin–Green Bay

    Green Bay , WI
    #8 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2026 #8 Best Online Master's Programs in Wisconsin 2026 #9 Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    13K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Wisconsin–Green Bay

    Cost of Degree: $8,342
    Expenses: $13,118
    Starting Salary: $56,401
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Wisconsin–Green Bay known for?

    University of Wisconsin–Green Bay’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  10. #9

    University of Wisconsin–Stout

    Menomonie , WI
    #9 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Wisconsin–Stout

    Cost of Degree: $10,142
    Expenses: $12,986
    Starting Salary: $62,537
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Wisconsin–Stout known for?

    University of Wisconsin–Stout’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  12. #10

    University of Wisconsin–Platteville

    Platteville , WI
    #8 Online Colleges with the Most Generous Financial Aid in 2026 #10 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Wisconsin–Platteville

    Cost of Degree: $8,315
    Expenses: $13,754
    Starting Salary: $66,166
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Wisconsin–Platteville known for?

    University of Wisconsin–Platteville’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  13. #11

    University of Wisconsin–La Crosse

    La Crosse , WI

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Wisconsin–La Crosse

    Cost of Degree: $9,651
    Expenses: $10,116
    Starting Salary: $65,850
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Wisconsin–La Crosse known for?

    University of Wisconsin–La Crosse’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  14. #12

    University of Wisconsin–Parkside

    Kenosha , WI
    #10 Best Small Colleges in Wisconsin 2026 #8 Best Online MBA Programs in Wisconsin

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Wisconsin–Parkside

    Cost of Degree: $7,855
    Expenses: $14,040
    Starting Salary: $57,115
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Wisconsin–Parkside known for?

    University of Wisconsin–Parkside’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  15. #13

    University of Wisconsin–Superior

    Superior , WI

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Wisconsin–Superior

    Cost of Degree: $8,487
    Expenses: $13,873
    Starting Salary: $51,871
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Wisconsin–Superior known for?

    University of Wisconsin–Superior’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  16. #14

    Maranatha Baptist University

    Watertown , WI

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    72%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1100/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Maranatha Baptist University

    Cost of Degree: $20,280
    Expenses: $17,406
    Starting Salary: $46,953
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Maranatha Baptist University known for?

    Maranatha Baptist University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
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