Best Research Universities in Wisconsin 2024

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Interested in attending a STEM school in Wisconsin? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

Best Research Universities in Wisconsin 2024

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

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Wisconsin's Best Research Universities Badge
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A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 6 research universities in Wisconsin. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

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Best Research Universities 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. 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’s Online Degrees

    BS in Applied Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication and Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • Family Nurse Practitioner
    • Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
    • Nurse Educator
    • Healthcare Informatics
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Analytics and Change Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Management of Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Radiologic Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. 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:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Cardinal Stritch University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Introduction to Business
    • Advanced Business Principles
    • Human Resources and Marketing
    • Economics and Accounting
    • International Business
    • Introduction Sport and Recreation Business
    • Advanced Sport and Recreation Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Education Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Introduction to Education
    • Classroom Management and Culture
    • Reading and Language Arts Integration
    • Secondary Curriculum and Methods
    • and Secondary Education Application
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Public Health
    Degree Concentrations
    • Human Biology
    • Social Inequality
    • Social Change and Social Institutions
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Health
    Degree Concentrations
    • Quantitative Chemistry
    • Human Biology
    • Social Change and Social Institutions
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. #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:

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Find the Best Research Universities in Wisconsin for Your Area of Interest

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. Concordia University Wisconsin

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

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