2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Wisconsin
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Education Schools
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $42,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned it the #2 place for general education. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $54,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,306. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned it the #4 place for general education. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,662. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for general education. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $30,990. General Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $43,867 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #7 spot for general education value this year. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,821. Early-career general education graduates make about $55,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Maranatha Baptist Bible College came in at #8 for value in general education this year. Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Watertown. Students from in state pay about $21,550 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Maranatha Baptist Bible College generally make around $56,298. Maranatha Baptist Bible College admits about 72% of applicants.
Edgewood College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Madison, Edgewood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,860. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $55,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Edgewood College admits about 76% of applicants.
Marquette University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,122. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
