2026 Best Value Value Schools in Wisconsin
[Value](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/digital-marketing/) 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 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in Wisconsin
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
For return on investment in value, no school beat Waukesha County Technical College this year. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,595. Value graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of $34,630 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,595 median debt.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Value graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Value graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid State Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, compared with $7,171 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,626. Early-career value graduates make about $41,678. That is a strong return on a $11,626 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,020. That is a strong return on a $13,319 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Northcentral Technical College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Value graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $41,696. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Value graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Value graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $35,014 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Value graduates carry a median of $13,669 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $43,479. That is a strong return on a $13,669 median debt.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #8 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,812. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $44,279. Set against $16,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #9 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,477. Early-career value graduates make about $42,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Wisconsin Lutheran College placed #10 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,110. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,916. Early-career value graduates make about $54,908. Set against $26,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wisconsin Lutheran College admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
