2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Wisconsin
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Schools
For return on investment in engineering, no school beat Northcentral Technical College this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,709. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. 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. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $24,477. Early-career engineering graduates make about $42,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,777. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $73,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. 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, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,010 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $86,723 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $49,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #6 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $29,219 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $71,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #7 among the best values for engineering. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $24,877. Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $76,457 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
Viterbo University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,250. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $29,107. Engineering graduates of Viterbo University earn a median of $60,309 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,107 median debt. Viterbo University admits about 72% of applicants.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering landed the #9 spot for engineering value this year. Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $50,480 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Milwaukee School Of Engineering generally make around $73,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Concordia University Wisconsin landed the #10 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. Students borrow a median of $27,172 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $58,227. That is a strong return on a $27,172 median debt. Concordia University Wisconsin admits about 78% of applicants.
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
