2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in Wisconsin
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 49 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for accounting students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in Wisconsin
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the accounting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Accounting Schools
For return on investment in accounting, no school beat Lakeshore Technical College this year. Located in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,582 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Lakeshore Technical College earn a median of $41,252 early in their careers. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gateway Technical College earned it the #2 place for accounting. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $15,364 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $40,154 early in their careers. Set against $15,364 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #3 spot this year. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $12,959. Accounting graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $32,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Waukesha County Technical College, which ranked #4. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $45,634. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Park Technical College earned it the #5 place for accounting. Set in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,819 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. Students borrow a median of $12,419 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Moraine Park Technical College earn a median of $42,629 early in their careers. Set against $12,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #6 among the best values for accounting. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Students borrow a median of $19,986 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $38,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nicolet Area Technical College came in at #7 for value in accounting this year. Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rhinelander. In-state tuition and fees average $4,793, while out-of-state students pay about $7,066. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Nicolet Area Technical College generally make around $46,419. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earned the #8 position for value in accounting this year. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,536. Early-career accounting graduates make about $40,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #9 spot for accounting value this year. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,760. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $47,648. Set against $14,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #10 for value in accounting this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $15,835 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $41,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fennimore. In-state tuition and fees average $4,904, while out-of-state students pay about $7,147. Students borrow a median of $12,112 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,087. That is a strong return on a $12,112 median debt.
Mid State Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, compared with $7,171 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,626 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $41,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blackhawk Technical College earned the #13 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,747, compared with $6,803 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $13,715. Early-career accounting graduates make about $44,256. That is a strong return on a $13,715 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #14 for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $45,531. That is a strong return on a $14,234 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College earned the #15 position for value in accounting this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,541 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $33,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technical College La Cross earned the #16 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $16,796. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $42,732. Set against $16,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #17 spot for accounting value 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. Students borrow a median of $20,252 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $45,333. That is a strong return on a $20,252 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay placed #18 among the best values for accounting. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Students borrow a median of $27,151 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $59,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $21,000. Accounting graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $56,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #20 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Accounting graduates carry a median of $24,888 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $51,488. Set against $24,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #21 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $21,541. Accounting graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $60,885 early in their careers. Set against $21,541 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #22 for value in accounting this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Accounting graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $62,798. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #23 among the best values for accounting. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Accounting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Accounting graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $56,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #24 position for value in accounting this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $23,264. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $62,450. That is a strong return on a $23,264 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #25 for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $21,294 in student loans. Accounting graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $69,131 early in their careers. Set against $21,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Accounting Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s accounting value ranking:
View All Accounting Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
