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2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Wisconsin

3 Colleges in the United States
$27,239 Avg Student Debt
$57,258 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Secondary Education Badge [Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for secondary education students.

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2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Wisconsin

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Secondary Education Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Parkside, our #1 best value for secondary education in Wisconsin. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $43,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

3
Alverno College crest
Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI

Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Alverno College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,086. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $30,584 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $55,790. That is a strong return on a $30,584 median debt. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.

4

Wisconsin Lutheran College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,110. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $49,485. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

5
Lakeland College crest
Lakeland College
Plymouth, WI

Lakeland College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Plymouth, Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,396. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $29,722. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $52,412. Set against $29,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

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6
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University placed #6 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,250. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $29,107 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Viterbo University earn a median of $49,498 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,107 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

7

Marian University Wisconsin landed the #7 spot for secondary education value this year. Marian University Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fond Du Lac. In-state tuition and fees average $35,204. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,242. Secondary Education graduates of Marian University Wisconsin earn a median of $72,102 early in their careers. Set against $27,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

8
Edgewood College crest
Edgewood College
Madison, WI

Edgewood College earned the #8 position for value in secondary education this year. Edgewood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,860. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $56,578. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Edgewood College admits about 76% of applicants.

9

Concordia University Wisconsin placed #9 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $58,227. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

10
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University landed the #10 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $45,806 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marquette University admits about 81% 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 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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