2026 Best Value Education Schools in Wisconsin
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Schools
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value education schools in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $35,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Gateway Technical College, which ranked #2. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Education graduates carry a median of $14,829 in student loans. Education graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $42,410 early in their careers. Set against $14,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $21,095 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $30,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,095 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $20,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $26,890. That is a strong return on a $20,876 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Moraine Park Technical College one of the best values for education. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,471. Early-career education graduates make about $39,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #6 position for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Students borrow a median of $24,485 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fennimore. Students from in state pay about $4,904 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,147 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,112 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $42,087. Set against $12,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earned the #8 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,835. Early-career education graduates make about $27,209. That is a strong return on a $15,835 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #9 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $27,548 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blackhawk Technical College landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,747, while out-of-state students pay about $6,803. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $44,256. That is a strong return on a $13,715 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College earned the #11 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Education graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $22,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #12 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,125 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $23,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #13 for value in education this year. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Education graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans. Education graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $44,279 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,812 median debt.
Western Technical College La Cross earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,669 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $43,479. That is a strong return on a $13,669 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #15 position for value in education this year. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $50,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #16 among the best values for 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. Education graduates carry a median of $25,323 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $40,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Education graduates carry a median of $26,120 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $43,299. That is a strong return on a $26,120 median debt. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Superior landed the #18 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,812, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. Students borrow a median of $32,774 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $52,508. That is a strong return on a $32,774 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #19 among the best values for education. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Education graduates carry a median of $28,103 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $50,091. Set against $28,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Education graduates carry a median of $26,879 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $43,808 early in their careers. Set against $26,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #21 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,076. Early-career education graduates make about $57,493. That is a strong return on a $27,076 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #22 among the best values for education. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Students borrow a median of $28,256 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $50,050. Set against $28,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #23 among the best values for education. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Education graduates carry a median of $25,918 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $47,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #24 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $28,682 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,183 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,682 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Alverno College came in at #25 for value in education this year. Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $34,086. Students borrow a median of $30,584 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $59,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for education this year:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
