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Wisconsin is a state in the Great Lakes region of the country often called Americas Dairyland. It is the 20th largest state by population with nearly 6 million residents. It is bordered by Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, and Lake Michigan. The state of Wisconsin has over 100 higher education institutions spread across its 72 counties. The public university system spans from River Falls and Oshkosh to Madison and Green Bay. With a 26-campus system, the University of Wisconsin anchors the state college system in a dominant fashion. The largest campus locations in the UW system include Whitewater, Oshkosh, Milwaukee, Madison, La Crosse, and Eau Claire. Discover your perfect college match today with MatchCollege. Our search tools and vast library of educational material will help support your academic journey & help you access a trove of information directly from accredited state universities. Get organized, stay focused, and keep your eyes on the prize by using education to advance your career.

2024 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is the main campus of the University of Wisconsin (UW) System. Its founding in 1848 was the result of a Wisconsin constitutional provision, mandating the institution of a state university within the state capital.

Situated over 900 acres, the university is home to eight different schools and colleges, offering more than 5,000 courses as well as Honors programs for outstanding students. At least 2,000 faculty members comprise the UW-Madison schools of Education, Human Ecology, Nursing, Pharmacy, the Wisconsin School of Business as well as the colleges of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Letters and Science, and Engineering.

Also distinguished as one of the best universities in the world, UW-Madison is a premier research university; offering various research grants and fellowships to its students. Alongside these is an annual research program called Pathways Scholars, an eight-week long training on research and writing that is funded in full and conducted by UW-Madison each summer for qualified applicants.

Opportunities for attending any of more than a hundred overseas academic programs are also provided. The Study Abroad Resource Center assists students with application processes, finding financial support, and other matters pertinent to studying in foreign countries.

Scholarships, loans, and student employment programs are handled by the Office of Student Financial Aid. Information on available merits and grants as well as current job openings, both in and out of the campus, are provided by this office.

Residential halls at UW-Madison house about 7,000 students each year. A housing listing service is also accessible for students who prefer other housing options such as private residences, apartments or condominiums in nearby areas.

Several museums and theaters are located within campus, providing venues for numerous cultural events and artistic performances. There is tremendous participation in collegiate sports, with the Wisconsin Badgers representing the university in several athletic events such as football, basketball, and ice hockey. Campus security is overseen by the UW Police Department, also located within university grounds.

Enrollment

43,463

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is a public college that has many majors and degree programs available for students to choose from. The school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in a predominantly urban area. UW-L has a yearly student enrollment of around nine thousand.

A list of some of the more popular programs offered are:

  • Biological And Biomedical Sciences
  • Education
  • Psychology
  • Recreation And Fitness Studies

The admissions process starts with the submission of an application, school records, and test scores, which are then evaluated by the admissions staff. Most students accepted to UW-L score in-between 23 to 26 on the ACT exam. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse admits around 80% of applicants annually. Of those students accepted, about 39% attended the school. More information regarding admissions can be found at uwlax.edu.

Tuition & fees at this school vary for in-state and out-of-state residents. In-state tuition costs approximately $9,200 per year with out-of-state tuition costing $17,000 annually. On-campus housing is available for students, and generally costs about $3,800 each year. Some students at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse may be eligible for financial aid, which is generally provided as scholarships, grants, and loans.

This school has a variety of athletic programs overseen by the NCAA. Available athletic programs offered may include the following:

  • Baseball (NCAA Division III)
  • Basketball (NCAA Division III)
  • Football (NCAA Division III)

Students may take a look at the school's http://www.uwlax.edu to see additional information.

Enrollment

10,597

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, a public institution, offers a variety of program options, allowing students to choose which major is right for them. Located in Eau Claire, WI, it resides in an urban setting for students to study in. Enrollment at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is nearly 11,000 yearly.

A list of some of the more popular programs offered are:

  • Health And Clinical Professions
  • Business And Marketing Studies
  • Biological And Biomedical Sciences
  • Recreation And Fitness Studies
  • Psychology
  • Education

The admissions process will include the submission of an application, school records, and standardized test scores, which are then reviewed by the admissions staff. Most students admitted to UW-Eau Claire score in-between 22 - 26 on the ACT. Approximately 80 percent of all students that applied were accepted at UW-Eau Claire, with 41 percent of those accepted choosing to attend. More information from the admissions office can be found here.

Tuition & fees at this school are different for in-state and nonresidents. In-state tuition costs approximately $8,800 per year, while out-of-state tuition costing $17,000 annually. School housing is available on-campus for students. The annual cost of housing is around $3,300. Financial aid may be provided to students that meet the necessary requirements by way of grants or student loans.

The University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Blugolds participate in a number of intercollegiate athletic programs, as part of the NCAA organization. Athletic programs that are available may include:

  • Basketball (NCAA Division III)
  • Football (NCAA Division III)
  • Golf (NCAA Division III)
  • Gymnastics (NCAA Division III)

Contact information, tuition information, programs offered, and much more can be accessed on school's website at http://www.uwec.edu.

Enrollment

11,604

Student to Faculty Ratio

23:1

UW Whitewater is a public institution located in Whitewater, Wisconsin and provides a large number of degree programs for students. Approximately twelve thousand students are enrolled annually at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

Areas of study offered at UW Whitewater include but are not limited to:

  • Business And Marketing Studies
  • Education
  • Social Sciences
  • Communications And Journalism

The admissions process will include the submission of an application, student records, and standardized test scores, which are then evaluated by the admissions committee. The most common exam scores among applicants accepted to UW Whitewater are between 20 - 25 for the ACT exam, or 1310 - 1610 on the SAT. UW Whitewater admits about 80% of applicants. Of those accepted, about 45% enrolled. More information on admissions can be found at uww.edu.

The tuition at UW Whitewater varies based on the state of residence of the student. In-state residents pay close to $7,900 per year and out-of-state residents are charged $16,000 annually. The price of on-campus housing is about $3,700 annually. This school may help with costs by offering financial aid for students that qualify by way of grants and loans.

The University of Wisconsin - Whitewater "Warhawks" compete in a number of intercollegiate sports through participation in the NCAA. Sports available:

  • Baseball (NCAA Division III)
  • Basketball (NCAA Division III)
  • Football (NCAA Division III)
  • Golf (NCAA Division III)

Contact information, tuition information, areas of study, and more may be viewed on school's website at http://www.uww.edu.

Enrollment

13,059

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is a public institution located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and provides a large number of degree programs for students. Enrollment at OW Oshkosh is nearly 14,000 annually. Here is a list of some of the popular programs OW Oshkosh offers:

  • Health And Clinical Professions
  • Education
  • Biological And Biomedical Sciences
  • Liberal Arts And Sciences
  • Business And Marketing Studies
The admissions process will begin with the submission of an application, transcripts, records, and test scores, which are then evaluated by the admissions committee. The majority of students at OW Oshkosh scored between 20 - 24 on the ACT exam. This school has an admissions rate of 84% of which only 45% chose to enroll. More information on admissions can be found on the UW website or by simply requesting information here. Tuition & fees at this school are different for in-state and out-of-state residents. In-state tuition costs around $7,700 per year and out-of-state tuition costing $16,000 per year. Housing may be available for those that would like to live on-campus for a cost of $4,000 per year. Some students at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh may qualify for financial aid, which is generally offered as scholarships, grants, and loans. The mascot for University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is the "Titans", and they participate in intercollegiate athletic programs through the NCAA. Athletic programs available may include the following:
  • Baseball (NCAA Division III)
  • Basketball (NCAA Division III)
  • Track & Field (NCAA Division III)
Contact information, admission forms, areas of study, and much more can be accessed on school's website at uwosh.edu.

Enrollment

16,410

Student to Faculty Ratio

22:1

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, a public institution, offers a large number of educational opportunities, allowing students to choose which major is right for them. Located in Stevens Point, WI, the campus offers a rural setting for students to study in. Around nine thousand students enroll at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point per year. Students can choose from several areas of study, including but not limited to:

  • Business And Marketing Studies
  • Biological And Biomedical Sciences
  • Communications And Journalism
  • Psychology
Students applying for admission are usually required to submit an application, school records, standardized test scores and any requested letters of recommendations, which will then be reviewed by the admissions committee. Most students accepted to University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point score in-between 21 to 26 on the ACT. 79% of those students that apply are accepted to University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, of which 45 percent choose to enroll. More information on admissions can be found here. The cost of tuition varies for in-state and out-of-state residents. In-state residents pay approximately $7,900, while out-of-state residents pay $16,000 annually. The cost of on-campus housing is estimated to be $3,900 for the year. Some students at this school may qualify for financial aid, which is generally offered in the form of loans, grants, scholarships and work study programs. The UWSP "Pointers" have a number of intercollegiate athletic programs through participation in the NCAA. Athletic programs offered may include:
  • Baseball (NCAA Division III)
  • Basketball (NCAA Division III)
  • Football (NCAA Division III)
  • Golf (NCAA Division III)
  • Ice Hockey (NCAA Division III)
Students who wish to view more about University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point can check out their website at http://www.uwsp.edu.

Enrollment

9,086

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

University of Wisconsin - Stout provides a variety of educational opportunities for students to guide them in their growth and development. The school is located in Menomonie, Wisconsin and publically funded. About 9,300 students enroll at UW-Stout yearly.

A list of some of the more popular programs offered are:

  • Visual And Performing Arts
  • Business And Marketing Studies
  • Psychology
  • Family And Consumer Sciences
  • Engineering Technology
  • Health And Clinical Professions

The admissions process will include the submission of an application, transcripts, records, and test scores, which are then evaluated by the admissions staff. Most students accepted to UW-Stout score in-between 20 to 24 on the ACT. 89% of those students that apply are admitted to University of Wisconsin - Stout, of which 56 percent choose to enroll. More information regarding admissions can be found at admissions.uwstout.edu.

The cost of tuition varies for in-state and nonresidents. In-state residents pay around $9,400 and out-of-state residents pay $18,000 per year. Housing is available on-campus for students. The annual cost of housing is estimated to be $3,800. UW-Stout may provide financial aid for students that are eligible as scholarships, grants, and loans.

The University of Wisconsin - Stout Blue Devils participate in several athletic programs, with competitions managed and overseen by the NCAA. Athletic programs offered include:

  • Baseball (NCAA Division III)
  • Basketball (NCAA Division III)
  • Football (NCAA Division III)
  • Golf (NCAA Division III)

Students may take a look at the school's http://www.uwstout.edu to see additional information.

Enrollment

8,770

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

UW-River Falls, a public institution, offers a variety of program options, allowing students to choose which major is right for them. Located in River Falls, Wisconsin, the school resides in a rural setting for students to study in. Enrollment at UW-River Falls exceeds 6,900 yearly.

Students may choose from many areas of study, including but not limited to:

  • Business And Marketing Studies
  • Education
  • Agriculture Operations
  • Biological And Biomedical Sciences
  • Communications And Journalism
  • Psychology

To be considered for admissions, students may be required to complete an application, write a personal statement, and submit school records, which are then evaluated by admissions officials. Most students at University of Wisconsin - River Falls scored within the range of 20 - 24 on the ACT. 90% of those students that apply are accepted to University of Wisconsin - River Falls, of which 50 percent choose to enroll. More information on admissions can be found at uwrf.edu.

The cost of undergraduate tuition is different for in-state and nonresidents. In-state residents pay approximately $8,000 and out-of-state residents pay $16,000 per year. The cost of on-campus housing is approximately $3,900 annually. University of Wisconsin - River Falls may help with costs by offering financial aid for students that qualify by way of scholarships, grants, and loans.

The UW-River Falls "Falcons" have a number of intercollegiate athletic programs through participation in the NCAA. Athletic programs that are available may include:

  • Basketball (NCAA Division III)
  • Track & Field (NCAA Division III)
  • Football (NCAA Division III)

Students can visit the University of Wisconsin - River Falls website to see a complete list of areas of study, programs, financial aid details, and more.

Enrollment

6,135

Student to Faculty Ratio

22:1

University of Wisconsin - Platteville provides a variety of educational opportunities for students to assist them in their growth and development. The school is located in Platteville, Wisconsin and publically funded. Over seven thousand students enroll at University of Wisconsin - Platteville yearly.

Students may select from many areas of study, including but not limited to:

  • Business And Marketing Studies
  • Security And Protective Services
  • Engineering
  • Engineering Technology
  • Education

The admissions process will include the submission of an application, school records, and test scores, which are then evaluated by admissions officials. Most students accepted to University of Wisconsin - Platteville score in a range of 20 - 25 on the ACT exam. 96% of those who apply are accepted to this school, of which 54 percent choose to attend. More information on admissions can be found here.

The cost of tuition varies for in-state and out-of-state residents. In-state residents pay around $7,800 and nonresidents pay $16,000 annually. Housing may be available for those that want to live on-campus for a cost of $3,600 for the year. Students attending this school may qualify for aid which is typically scholarships, grants, and loans.

The University of Wisconsin - Platteville "Pioneers" compete in a number of intercollegiate sports through participation in the NCAA. Sports available may include the following:

  • Baseball (NCAA Division III)
  • Basketball (NCAA Division III)
  • Track & Field (NCAA Division III)
  • Football (NCAA Division III)
  • Golf (NCAA Division III)

To see a full list of academic programs offered, enrollment information, admissions information, and more, please visit the school's website at http://www.uwplatt.edu.

Enrollment

8,955

Student to Faculty Ratio

21:1

UW-Green Bay is a public university that has a large selection of majors and degree programs available for students to choose from. The school is located in Green Bay, WI, in a predominantly urban area. Approximately six thousand students are enrolled yearly at UW-Green Bay.

Students may pick from many areas of study, including:

  • Business And Marketing Studies
  • Liberal Arts And Sciences
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Psychology

To be considered for admissions, applicants may be asked to fill out an application, write a personal statement, and submit school records, which are then evaluated by admissions staff. Most students accepted to this school score in-between 21 - 25 on the ACT. 85% of applicants are accepted to University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, of which 42% choose to attend. More information from the admissions office can be found at uwgb.edu.

The tuition at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay varies based on the state of residence of the student. In-state residents pay nearly $8,000 per year and out-of-state residents are charged $16,000 for the year. Student housing is available on-campus for students. The yearly cost of housing is about $4,200. Some students at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay may qualify for financial aid, which is generally provided as scholarships, grants, and loans.

The UW-Green Bay "Phoenix" compete in a number of intercollegiate sports through participation in the NCAA. Sports available may include but not limited to:

  • Basketball (NCAA Division I-AAA)
  • Golf (NCAA Division I-AAA)
  • Skiing (NCAA Division I-AAA)
  • Soccer (NCAA Division I-AAA)

Enrollment

8,566

Student to Faculty Ratio

23:1

University of Wisconsin - Superior is a public university that has a large number of majors available for students to choose from. The school is located in Superior, WI, in a predominantly suburban area. Nearly 2,900 students enroll at University of Wisconsin - Superior yearly. Areas of study available at University of Wisconsin - Superior include:

  • Communications And Journalism
  • Education
  • Business And Marketing Studies
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
The admissions process will begin with the submission of an application, transcripts, and standardized test scores, which are then evaluated by the admissions committee. Most students admitted to University of Wisconsin - Superior score in-between 20 - 24 on the ACT. This school has an admissions rate of around 89 percent of which only 44 percent decided to attend. More information from the admissions office can be found at uwsuper.edu. Tuition & fees at University of Wisconsin - Superior vary for in-state and nonresidents. In-state tuition costs close to $8,300 per year and out-of-state tuition costing $17,000 per year. Housing is available for students, and generally costs about $3,500 each year. Financial aid may be provided to students that meet the necessary requirements by way of grants or student loans. The University of Wisconsin - Superior "Yellow Jackets" have a number of intercollegiate athletic programs through participation in the NCAA. Athletic programs available include:
  • Baseball (NCAA Division III)
  • Basketball (NCAA Division III)
  • Ice Hockey (NCAA Division III)
  • Soccer (NCAA Division III)
  • Softball (NCAA Division III)
Students may take a look at the school's http://www.uwsuper.edu to see additional information.

Enrollment

2,603

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

University of Wisconsin - Parkside provides a variety of program options for students to aid them in their growth and development. The school is located in Kenosha, WI and publically funded. Enrollment at University of Wisconsin - Parkside exceeds five thousand yearly. Areas of study available at UW-P include but are not limited to:

  • Business And Marketing Studies
  • Security And Protective Services
  • Biological And Biomedical Sciences
  • Recreation And Fitness Studies
  • Psychology
Students applying for admission are most often asked to submit an application, transcripts, records, standardized test scores and any requested personal statements, which will then be reviewed by admissions staff. Most students accepted to University of Wisconsin - Parkside score in a range of 18 to 23 on the ACT. 83% of those students that apply are accepted to this school, of which 53% choose to attend. Tuition & fees at University of Wisconsin - Parkside are different for in-state and out-of-state residents. In-state tuition costs approximately $7,600 per year with out-of-state tuition costing $16,000 annually. On-campus housing is available for students and costs around $4,400 per year. Some students at this school may be eligible for financial aid, which is typically offered as scholarships, grants, and loans. The mascot for University of Wisconsin - Parkside is the "Rangers", and they participate in intercollegiate sports through the oversight and organization of the NAIA. Athletic programs available may include the following:
  • Baseball (NCAA Division II)
  • Basketball (NCAA Division II)
  • Track & Field (NCAA Division II)
  • Golf (NCAA Division II)
To see a full list of academic programs offered, enrollment information, student services, and more, please take a look at the school's website at uwp.edu.

Enrollment

4,295

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

University of South Florida - St. Petersburg Campus is a public institution located in St. Petersburg, FL and provides a large number of educational opportunities for students. Approximately three thousand students are enrolled yearly at University of South Florida - St. Petersburg Campus.

Areas of study available at University of South Florida - St. Petersburg Campus include:

  • Business And Marketing Studies
  • Psychology
  • Education
  • Communications And Journalism

The admissions process will include the submission of an application, transcripts, records, and test scores, which are then evaluated by admissions officials. Students may take either the ACT or SAT scores to be considered for admissions at University of South Florida - St. Petersburg Campus. A score in a range of 1470 to 1710 on the SAT, or 21 to 25 for the ACT is usually submitted among admitted students. This school has an admissions rate of around 46% of which only 46% decided to enroll. More information from the admissions office can be found here.

The tuition at University of South Florida - St. Petersburg Campus varies based on the state of residence of the student. In-state residents pay close to $5,700 per year and out-of-state residents are charged $16,000 per year. Housing is available on-campus for students. The yearly cost of housing is approximately $8,300. Some students at this school may be eligible for financial aid, which is typically offered as scholarships, grants, and loans.

Students who wish to learn more about this school may visit their website at https://www.usfsp.edu/home/.

Enrollment

4,727

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (UWM), located five blocks from Lake Michigan, offers 170 degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  The UWM offers excellent research programs. Additionally, in its effort to be an accessible institute of higher learning to the broadest possible student population, UWM offers many certificate and non-degree programs.

History

The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee was founded in 1885 as the "Milwaukee Normal School," a two-year teacher training college.  The school changed names many times through the years, becoming UWM in 1956.

Academics

The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee follows the semester system.  It has a Semester I in the fall, a short "UwinteriM" session in January, followed by a Semester II in the spring, and a calendar of short Summer Sessions.

Colleges and Schools

UWM has 14 colleges and schools, which are:

  • School of Architecture and Urban Planning
  • School of Continuing Education
  • School of Education
  • College of Engineering and Applied Science
  • School of Freshwater Sciences
  • Graduate School
  • College of Health Sciences
  • Helen Bader School of Social Welfare
  • School of Information Studies
  • College o fLetters and Science
  • College of Nursing
  • Peck School of the Arts
  • School of Public Health
  • Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business

UWM has many centers, institutes, laboratories and academic support areas within and in addition to its colleges and schools.

Student Life

UWM offers numerous flats and apartments for those interested in on-campus living, as well as many on-campus dining options.  For students who wish to connect with others, there are many student clubs and organizations available for participation, including recreational sports leagues.

 

Athletics

The "Panthers" athletics department at UWM is very active, with seven men's and eight women's teams competing at the NCAA Division I level, including:

Men's Sports:

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Soccer
  • Swimming & Diving
  • Track & Field

Women's Sports:

  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Soccer
  • Swimming & Diving
  • Tennis
  • Track & Field
  • Volleyball

Community Life

UWM is very active in the community of Milwaukee and much of southeastern Wisconsin. UWM has many business partners, and the university is involved in M7, which is the Milwaukee 7 Economic Development Campaign.  UWM also has many non-profit partnerships in the area, including the Milwaukee Public Schools, and several health and social service agencies.

The UWM campus is situated in an attractive part of Milwaukee near Lake Michigan.  It is in easy walking distance to shopping and entertainment areas, and is a short bus ride away from the downtown area.

Enrollment

27,012

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Degree Programs at Wisconsin Public Universities

Wisconsin state universities offer students a wide number of academic majors and minors to help support a vibrant economic base. Students looking to study at a state college may be inclined to pursue a traditional degree or emerging area of concentration. Perennially popular degrees includeteaching,biology,history,accounting,communications,engineering, andbusiness. Meanwhile, regionally influenced degrees and emerging research have made the following niche programs popular:agronomy,hydrology,sustainability,solar energy,data modeling,robotics,cytotechnology,information technology, andcomputer engineering. Both paths can help you step into a targeted career or continue in academics to earn an adjacent degree. For example, students earning a degree inagricultureand earn a masters degree incrop sciencejust as an undergraduate degree inmathcan be parlayed into a graduate degree incomputer science.

University of Wisconsin System

The 12 schools listed below are part of the University of Wisconsin System. By following the links below, you can view each school's profile in detail.

Institution Name Number Students Information Virtual Tour
Casper College in Stevens Point, WI5,000 to 9,999info
Herzing University - Madison in Madison, WI1,000 to 4,999info
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay in Eau Claire, WI10,000 to 19,999info
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse in Green Bay, WI5,000 to 9,999info Virtual Tour
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in Madison, WIMore Than 20,000info Virtual Tour
University of Wisconsin - Parkside in Oshkosh, WI10,000 to 19,999info
University of Wisconsin - Platteville in Milwaukee, WIMore Than 20,000info
University of Wisconsin - River Falls in Platteville, WI5,000 to 9,999info
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point in River Falls, WI5,000 to 9,999info
University of Wisconsin - Superior in Menomonie, WI5,000 to 9,999info
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Whitewater, WI10,000 to 19,999info
Wisconsin Lutheran College in La Crosse, WI10,000 to 19,999info

Other Public 4-Year State Universities & Colleges

Below is a list of other 4-year state universities and colleges in Wisconsin.

Institution Name Number Students Information Virtual Tour
Bellin College in Madison, WI10,000 to 19,999info

Notes: Tuition & fee amounts are for both Wisconsin in-state residents and out of state students, unless noted otherwise. The tuition information displayed is an estimate, which we calculated based on historical data and should be solely used for informational purposes only. Please contact the respective school for information about the current school year.

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

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