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2019 Top Public Universities in WisconsinAbout this List

The Top Public Universities ranking is based on rigorous analysis of academic, admissions, financial, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along for millions of reviews from students and alumni. The ranking compares over 500 public colleges and state universities. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

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  1. University of Wisconsin

    • 4 Year
    • Madison, WI
    • 2,935
    1 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Sophomore: I'm only through two years at the UW, but they've been awesome so far! Football season is great, really brings the city together, especially fresh off of an Orange Bowl win. It took some adjusting living away from my family, but I've made some great friends in Madison. I had a great roommate freshman year and have gotten involved in several clubs--cheese club, Badger Cru, Sconnie Sports Talk to name a few. One thing I would look to change is the emphasis that is placed on tests--I know it's unlikely to be changed, I just think it's tough for people, especially those who are bad test-takers, to have one test be 50% of their grade. Other than that, these two years have been great--go Badgers!
    Read 2,935 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 53% Acceptance Rate
    • $15,874 Net Price
    • 1200-1420 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  2. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

    • 4 Year
    • La Crosse, WI
    • 1,322
    2 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Sophomore: UW-L has provided me with many opportunities on campus! I am involved with a lot of things, such as:
    1. Student Support Services -Student Leadership Council
    2. Office of Multicultural Student Services
    3. Residence Life - Drake Hall Front Desk Assistant and Eagle Guide for New Student Orientation
    4. Murphy Learning Center - Front Desk Assistant and Web Editor
    5. LeaderShape National Institute.
    These are all things I have and still currently participating in.
    Read 1,322 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 74% Acceptance Rate
    • $13,265 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  3. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

    • 4 Year
    • Eau Claire, WI
    • 1,263
    3 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Junior: The thing that attracted me to UW-Eau Claire was the friendly people and the campus. It's absolutely gorgeous when it's not under construction. There is a bookstore where you can rent many of your textbooks, but sometimes you may have to pay depending on the classes you take. We also have a great amount of organizations to get involved with. The people here are great and there's much to explore in the city of Eau Claire. One thing that is important to know is the parking is terrible on campus and also there is a shortage of housing. Only freshmen and transfer students can stay in the dorms because many people go to this school! Other than that, I'm satisfied with my college choice so far!
    Read 1,263 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 78% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,176 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
  4. Sponsored

    Lawrence University

    • 4 Year
    • Appleton, WI
    • 658

    Freshman: Lawrence has offered me the perfect environment to learn and grow as I work my way into the world. Even as a part of two fairly small departments, Linguistics and Classics, I have learned a lot and felt supported by my professors and my fellow students alike. Most of us seem to share a contagious enthusiasm for learning and exploring, whether in the classroom or at a concert or just sitting around in the dining hall and chatting. Throughout campus, students are known for their "busy culture"; they are determined to find more to get involved in or accomplish. This can sometimes create a stressful or even competitive environment. However, both students and faculty members are doing their best to promote balance and ensure that this busy-ness doesn't reach unhealthy levels, and I have felt a campus-wide camaraderie and concern for the whole community's well-being.
    Read 658 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 63% Acceptance Rate
    • $29,230 Net Price
    • 1180-1390 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  5. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

    • 4 Year
    • Whitewater, WI
    • 1,208
    4 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Sophomore: UW-Whitewater has one of the most beautiful campuses of any I'd visited. It's also a good size to get from one end to the other, unlike some of the
    large campuses I'd seen. The grounds are well-lit, clean, and pretty. There are a number of housing options once you decide you're done with dorm life, including many homes for rent in the area. I like that we are taught by the professors and not aides. I appreciate that we don't have to be entered onto a waiting list for entry into specialized studies pertaining to our majors. I do feel that Whitewater athletics should be recognized more statewide, as we have some of the best athletes/teams around! The student enrollment is diverse, allowing interactions with people not only from around the US but the world! And tuition is more affordable than some of the other state universities, yet we get the same (or better) educational offerings. My experience with UWW has been very enjoyable.
    Read 1,208 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 69% Acceptance Rate
    • $12,849 Net Price
    • 890-1110 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  6. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

    • 4 Year
    • Milwaukee, WI
    • 2,974
    5 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Sophomore: UWM is a wonderful school! Being in the city allows you to be introduced to many new types of people and activities. Plus, it allows you to create connunitions with the workforce and community of the city. There are so many clubs on campus that everyone will be able to find a place they belong, as well as a great amount of diversity and support/resources for those students. The school also offers tons of majors so a student can fully explore their interests, and support to help them thrive (such as free tutoring, free health clinic, free gym, peer mentors, the different resource centers, etc). A wonderful school for anyone looking to have both a great social and academic life in college!
    Read 2,974 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 73% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,747 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  7. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

    • 4 Year
    • Stevens Point, WI
    • 974
    6 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Junior: Going to UWSP has been a great experience for me. The professors are good and they care so much about their students that they get to know them on a personal level and encourage them to succeed! They also offer many services to help students - tutoring, counseling, library resources, clubs, disability services, inclusivity, health services, etc. Campus is also in walking distance of many restaurants and shops.
    Read 974 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 81% Acceptance Rate
    • $12,556 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
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  9. University of Wisconsin - Stout

    • 4 Year
    • Menomonie, WI
    • 928
    7 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Freshman: UW-Stout is an awesome college to attend. It has many unique majors and is the only Polytechnic university in Wisconsin. Every professor that I have had so far are very caring and want me to learn the material very well. Then we can use what I have learned and apply it to my future job. The class sizes are small, and you get to know others who are in the class. The laptop program is a plus! When attending Stout, you will receive a free laptop and after your sophomore year of college, you get to trade in your laptop and get another one that you get to keep after you graduate! Also, the book rental program is awesome! No more paying for textbooks. Just go to the Stout library and check out textbooks that you need for the semester and then return them after your final exams. There are also so many student organizations on campus that you can get involved with! Overall UW-Stout gets a 5 star from my experience so far!
    Read 928 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 85% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,038 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  10. University of Wisconsin - Superior

    • 4 Year
    • Superior, WI
    • 244
    8 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Works Here: Your information here states that UW-Superior doesn't have Distance Education. That is incorrect. UW-Superior was a pioneer in Distance Education decades ago and currently has an extremely strong Distance Learning program. Please correct your information! UW-Superior is great in both face-to-face and distance instruction.
    Read 244 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 76% Acceptance Rate
    • $12,470 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  11. University of Wisconsin - River Falls

    • 4 Year
    • River Falls, WI
    • 560
    9 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Freshman: Being a first generation college student and a freshman starting her first year at UW-River Falls, I was a little unsure about how adjusting to college life would be for me. I'm pleased to say it has went above & beyond my highest expectations. Besides a few hiccups down the road, my experience has been amazing. The academics are challenging, but very interesting. They have a phenomenal College of Agriculture, Food, & Environmental Sciences, including my major of Animal Science. It's a very affordable, fairly small, agricultural based college in a small town. The campus and scenery is beautiful, & everyone is welcomed with open arms, no matter what. It's very inclusive and I personally have found my niche with lifelong friends. The professors really do care about their students, & you literally are set up for success. Besides the occasional cold showers, bland college dinners & loud neighbors, UW-River Falls was the right choice for me!
    Read 560 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 72% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,046 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  14. University of Wisconsin - Platteville

    • 4 Year
    • Platteville, WI
    • 981
    10 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Junior: UW Platteville is a great small college! This allows for students to have more one on one conversations with their professors. By having this the professors, in turn, will get to know their students, which is a great way for a student to get a letter of recommendation that has more meaning behind it because of the professors personal experience with the student.
    Read 981 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 80% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,341 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  15. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

    • 4 Year
    • Oshkosh, WI
    • 1,284
    11 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Freshman: The University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is a very wonderful place to go. The classes are no longer than a 10 minutes walk from the dorms and all the academic halls are rather close to each other. The entire campus is placed basically on two streets making it very easy to navigate. The food is also quite nice. There are two main commons: Blackhawk and Reeve Union. Blackhawk is where you get the basic buffet meals everyday.. and the ice cream. Reeve is where we have places like pizza hut and subway! Reeve is only accessible to to students with special meal plans or titan dollars unless it is the weekend. On the weekends, every meal plan is excepted and every student is a happy camper.
    Read 1,284 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 65% Acceptance Rate
    • $13,171 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  16. University of Wisconsin - Parkside

    • 4 Year
    • Kenosha, WI
    • 459
    12 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Freshman: The University of Parkside is a great school. From the people I have interacted with at Parkside are super nice. The faculty are great and super helpful. My professors so far have been great at trying to see their students succeed. Professors try their best to provide an easy understanding for students. If you just communicate with your professor they will provide the best answer they can give. The scenery is also very green! The view on campus is beautiful. There is a park located next to the University, I love to take my dog on walks on the nature paths. A lot of my fellow classmates seem eager to meet me and many other students. The school has very positive energy when just walking around campus, even in the winter. I love my school and the education it provides!
    Read 459 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 62% Acceptance Rate
    • $9,906 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  18. University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

    • 4 Year
    • Green Bay, WI
    • 722

    Senior: While the buildings are a little out-dated, there are updates being made all the time and there's air conditioning, which is essential in the warmer months. It's also in a beautiful area surrounded by nature. Academically, like all schools, some professors are better than others. I'm an English student and the English department in general is unlike anything I've seen before- it's amazing. The English professors and faculty are so passionate and work extremely hard for their students, and they give you a lot of one-on-one time and attention, which you wouldn't get at a bigger school. I would recommend this college to anyone, but especially anyone going into the humanities. It's like a big family and there are countless opportunities.
    Read 722 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 73% Acceptance Rate
    • $12,614 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  19. Madison Area Technical College

    • 4 Year
    • Madison, WI
    • 576

    Sophomore: The professors are very friendly and helpful, and the performing arts program is really good! There are some little classes that are very fun to take in interesting. The biggest problems I have personally had are parking and getting things cleared by the program people, but an in person visit usually clears everything up.
    Read 576 Reviews

    • C+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • $10,606 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  20. University of Wisconsin - Extension

    • 91

    Sophomore: I love the smaller classes and personal attention I get from the professors. They are available when I need them, flexible and genuinely care about the students success.
    Read 91 Reviews

    • NG
      Overall Niche Grade
    • — Acceptance Rate
    • — Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?