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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
    • 2,964
    1 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Freshman: There are so many great things about UW-Madison. There is always something to do on and off campus. UW ensures that there is a place and event for everyone. The education and educators are top noche; I have never loved learning so much. The campus and facilities are amazing and well kept. In their School of Human Ecology, they had design students design their bathrooms, creating a mystical place to go when nature calls! My only complaint is their high tuition cost. As most people know, the cost of education increases every year and it has made it difficult for people to go to college without needing to worry about debt. As an out of state student, my I have to pay full tuition which adds on to the stress of getting an education. Although the university does their best to provide scholarships for people in need to financial aid, I feel as if they lack the scholarships for people who don't come from low income families, but are paying for their education independently.
    Read 2,964 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
    • 1,336
    2 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Junior: I started college at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse in 2016, and every day I grow to enjoy this place more and more. The school has a plethora of opportunities to dive into and explore whatever interests you might have. There are many exceptional professors that teach with such passion and are invested in furthering each student's education. The campus is beautiful and easy to walk from end to end in 10 minutes. I would recommend this wonderful college to anyone!
    Read 1,336 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
    • 1,281
    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 1,281 Reviews

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

    Alverno College

    • 4 Year
    • Milwaukee, WI
    • 945

    Sophomore: I came to Alverno as a transfer student. My first overall impression was that it was only for crazy outgoing people. However, now going into my third semester, I love it! The community around Alverno, along with the staff and women who attend this school are amazing and supportive. Alverno does not have grades, we have a pass or fail system. At first it was scary with that grading system,however, I really like it because the professors provide lengthy feedback on every assignment. The feedback tells us what we did well on and how we can improve our skills. With the professors giving indivial feedback, it provides us with a chance to form a better relationship with them rather then being defined by a grade.
    Read 945 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 75% Acceptance Rate
    • $18,861 Net Price
    • 770-1050 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  5. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

    • 4 Year
    • Whitewater, WI
    • 1,218
    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 1,218 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
    • 2,996
    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 2,996 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
    • 983
    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 983 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
    • 933
    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 933 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
    • 247
    8 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Freshman: I love it here! Such a fantastic college, and loving staff. Easy too make friends and find new places to go! No matter what college i went to look at this was always going to be my topic pick, because it felt like home, and I knew this was somewhere I knew I would be safe to be myself and open up too new things that i've never done before. It's overall been such an amazing experience here my freshman year and I cannot wait for the rest of the years here to finish my education.
    Read 247 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
    • 569
    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 569 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
    • 988
    10 Top Public Universities in Wisconsin

    Niche User: The University of Platteville is a great place! It has very friendly people, good food and it also has amazing academics. When I toured Platteville for the first time I noticed how close the students were with each other and how close they were with their professors. I am super excited about the area also. It is a small town and it mostly contains only college students. I am beyond excited to attend the University of Wisconsin Platteville!
    Read 988 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
    • 1,290
    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 1,290 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
    • 465
    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 465 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
    • 732

    Junior: The students and faculty at UW-Green Bay are very welcoming. The professors truly care about students, and as long as the student is putting in effort and wants to learn, most are willing to make some accommodations to help students succeed. Most class sizes are small, which allows professors to know students by name and have a better relationship with them. Smaller classes also allow students to know their classmates better. UW-Green Bay has many connections with organizations in the Green Bay community, which allows for lots of volunteer and job opportunities, internships, local guest speakers, etc. One of the downfalls is that the campus is slightly secluded and not directly in the city or near stores. Although it is not terribly far from stores, students that do not have cars have more difficulty getting off campus due to very few sidewalks or bike lanes on the main streets near the university.
    Read 732 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
    • 584

    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 584 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?