Best Universities in Wisconsin

Top Universities in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The University of Wisconsin-Madison, often referred to as UW-Madison, is a public research university founded in 1848. It is the flagship institution of the University of Wisconsin System and is known for its strong programs in the sciences, engineering, and business.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #42 in National Universities.

Number of Students:

Approximately 45,000 students.

Degrees Offered:

UW-Madison offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees across various disciplines, including arts and sciences, engineering, business, education, and agriculture.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 54%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1280 to 1450.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Research opportunities, student government, outdoor recreation clubs.

Famous Alumni:

1. John Muir – Naturalist and conservationist.
2. Frank Lloyd Wright – Renowned architect.
3. John Bardeen – Nobel Prize-winning physicist and co-inventor of the transistor.
4. Tammy Baldwin – U.S. Senator from Wisconsin.
5. Gene Wilder – Actor and comedian.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. Epic Systems Corporation
2. University of Wisconsin-Madison
3. Epic Systems Corporation
4. University of Wisconsin Health
5. American Family Insurance

Marquette University

Marquette University, located in Milwaukee, is a private Catholic university founded in 1881. It is known for its strong programs in business, health sciences, and law.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #84 in National Universities.

Number of Students:

Approximately 12,000 students.

Degrees Offered:

Marquette University offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in various fields, including business, health sciences, law, and the arts and sciences.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 83%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1150 to 1330.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Service-learning projects, student-run organizations, intramural sports.

Famous Alumni:

1. Chris Farley – Comedian and actor.
2. John P. Raynor – Former President of Marquette University.
3. Golda Meir – Former Prime Minister of Israel.
4. Steve Wojciechowski – Former Duke basketball player and current head coach of the Marquette Golden Eagles.
5. Robert H. Friebert – Founder of Friebert, Finerty & St. John, S.C.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. Marquette University
2. Froedtert Health
3. Aurora Health Care
4. Johnson Controls
5. Northwestern Mutual

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM)

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, commonly known as UWM, is a public research university founded in 1956. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System and is known for its strong programs in urban planning, nursing, and education.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #187 in National Universities.

Number of Students:

Approximately 26,000 students.

Degrees Offered:

UWM offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in various fields, including arts and sciences, education, engineering, business, nursing, and urban planning.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 73%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1040 to 1230.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Community service projects, cultural organizations, student government.

Famous Alumni:

1. Golda Meir – Former Prime Minister of Israel.
2. Dan Harmon – Creator of the TV show “Community.”
3. Mark Borchardt – Filmmaker known for “American Movie.”
4. Jeanne Phillips – Advice columnist behind “Dear Abby.”
5. Quentin Kopp – Former California State Senator.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2. Froedtert Health
3. Aurora Health Care
4. Johnson Controls
5. Northwestern Mutual

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL)

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, commonly referred to as UW-La Crosse or UWL, is a public university founded in 1909. It is known for its strong programs in health sciences, education, and business.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #24 in Regional Universities Midwest.

Number of Students:

Approximately 10,000 students.

Degrees Offered:

UWL offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields, including health sciences, education, business, and the arts and sciences.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 72%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1070 to 1260.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Intramural sports, outdoor recreation clubs, student-run organizations.

Famous Alumni:

1. Tammy Baldwin – U.S. Senator from Wisconsin.
2. Nicholas Raymond – Wisconsin State Senator.
3. Mark Neumann – Former U.S. Representative for Wisconsin’s 1st congressional district.
4. Christopher Rochester – Wisconsin State Assemblyman.
5. Kurt Zellers – Former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
2. Gundersen Health System
3. Mayo Clinic
4. Kwik Trip
5. Ashley Furniture Industries

Beloit College

Beloit College, located in Beloit, is a private liberal arts college founded in 1846. It is known for its innovative approach to education and strong programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #76 in National Liberal Arts Colleges.

Number of Students:

Approximately 1,300 students.

Degrees Offered:

Beloit College offers bachelor’s degrees in over 50 majors and minors, with a focus on the liberal arts and sciences.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 62%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1150 to 1350.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Outdoor education programs, community service projects, student-run organizations.

Famous Alumni:

1. Roy Chapman Andrews – Explorer and paleontologist.
2. Tony Kushner – Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright.
3. Georgia O’Keeffe – Artist known for her paintings of flowers and landscapes.
4. Spencer Tracy – Academy Award-winning actor.
5. Seth Meyers – Comedian and host of “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. Beloit College
2. Kerry Group
3. Beloit Health System
4. Hendricks Holding Company
5. ABC Supply Co.

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC)

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, commonly referred to as UW-Eau Claire or UWEC, is a public university founded in 1916. It is known for its strong programs in music, nursing, and business.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #22 in Regional Universities Midwest.

Number of Students:

Approximately 11,000 students.

Degrees Offered:

UWEC offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields, including music, nursing, business, education, and the arts and sciences.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 81%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1060 to 1270.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Music ensembles, outdoor recreation clubs, community service projects.

Famous Alumni:

1. Charlotte Rae – Actress known for her role as Mrs. Garrett on “The Facts of Life.”
2. David Strathairn – Academy Award-nominated actor known for his roles in “Good Night, and Good Luck” and “Lincoln.”
3. Brian Kobilka – Nobel Prize-winning chemist.
4. Thomas Hill – Former Wisconsin State Senator.
5. Mark Ruffalo – Academy Award-nominated actor known for his roles in “The Avengers” and “Spotlight.”

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
2. Mayo Clinic Health System
3. Marshfield Clinic Health System
4. UnitedHealth Group
5. Menards

Lawrence University

Lawrence University, located in Appleton, is a private liberal arts college founded in 1847. It is known for its strong programs in music, the arts, and the sciences.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #56 in National Liberal Arts Colleges.

Number of Students:

Approximately 1,500 students.

Degrees Offered:

Lawrence University offers bachelor’s degrees in over 30 majors and minors, with a strong emphasis on the liberal arts and sciences, as well as conservatory-level music programs.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 61%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1230 to 1430.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Music ensembles, theater productions, outdoor recreation clubs.

Famous Alumni:

1. Steve Benford – Former U.S. Ambassador to Suriname.
2. David Shire – Academy Award-winning composer and songwriter.
3. Edna Ferber – Pulitzer Prize-winning author and playwright.
4. Riccardo Muti – Internationally renowned conductor.
5. Mary Louisa Whitman – Early pioneer and poet.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. Lawrence University
2. ThedaCare
3. Kimberly-Clark Corporation
4. Oshkosh Corporation
5. Plexus Corp.

Carthage College

Carthage College, located in Kenosha, is a private liberal arts college founded in 1847. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and is known for its strong programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #17 in Regional Universities Midwest.

Number of Students:

Approximately 2,500 students.

Degrees Offered:

Carthage College offers bachelor’s degrees in over 50 majors and minors, with a focus on the liberal arts and sciences, as well as pre-professional programs.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 72%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1080 to 1280.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Service-learning projects, Greek life, intramural sports.

Famous Alumni:

1. Bill Lipinski – Former U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 3rd congressional district.
2. Robert O. Peterson – Founder of Jack in the Box restaurants.
3. C. Watts Jr. – Former U.S. Representative for Oklahoma’s 4th congressional district.
4. Leland Stanford – Founder of Stanford University.
5. Russ Feingold – Former U.S. Senator from Wisconsin.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. Carthage College
2. Kenosha Unified School District
3. Northwestern Mutual
4. Snap-on Incorporated
5. Uline

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)

Milwaukee School of Engineering, located in Milwaukee, is a private university founded in 1903. It is known for its strong programs in engineering, business, and nursing.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #8 in Regional Universities Midwest.

Number of Students:

Approximately 2,800 students.

Degrees Offered:

MSOE offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in various engineering disciplines, as well as business, nursing, and the health sciences.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 64%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1180 to 1380.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Engineering projects, professional societies, community service projects.

Famous Alumni:

1. Ellen Kullman – Former CEO of DuPont.
2. Thomas J. Stephens – Former President and COO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
3. Arthur Jones – Founder of Nautilus, Inc.
4. Peggy Whitson – NASA astronaut and former Chief of the Astronaut Office.
5. Frits van Paasschen – Former CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. Milwaukee School of Engineering
2. Johnson Controls
3. Rockwell Automation
4. Harley-Davidson Motor Company
5. General Electric Company

St. Norbert College

St. Norbert College, located in De Pere, is a private Catholic liberal arts college founded in 1898. It is affiliated with the Order of Saint Augustine and is known for its strong programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

U.S. News Ranking:

Ranked #123 in National Liberal Arts Colleges.

Number of Students:

Approximately 2,200 students.

Degrees Offered:

St. Norbert College offers bachelor’s degrees in over 40 majors and minors, with a focus on the liberal arts and sciences, as well as pre-professional programs.

Acceptance Rate:

Around 82%.

Average SAT Score:

The middle 50% SAT scores range from 1090 to 1280.

Most Popular Extracurricular Activities:

Campus ministry programs, service-learning projects, intramural sports.

Famous Alumni:

1. Tony Shalhoub – Emmy Award-winning actor known for his roles in “Monk” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
2. Douglas H. Ginsburg – Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
3. David R. Obey – Former U.S. Representative for Wisconsin’s 7th congressional district.
4. Charles J. Swoboda – Former CEO of Cree, Inc.
5. Terry J. Kohler – Former Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin.

Top Companies Hiring Graduates:

1. Norbert College
2. Schneider
3. Aurora Health Care
4. Green Bay Packers
5. Kimberly-Clark Corporation