2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Wisconsin

1

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Rice Lake, WI

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts general studies schools in Wisconsin. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,384. Liberal Arts General Studies 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.

2

Nicolet Area Technical College
Rhinelander, WI

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Nicolet Area Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,793 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,066 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Nicolet Area Technical College generally make around $46,419. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.

3

Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, WI

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Gateway Technical College, which ranked #3. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Students borrow a median of $14,829 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $42,410. Set against $14,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Kenosha, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $40,365. Set against $24,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.

5

Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,298 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $29,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,298 median debt.

6

Mid State Technical College
Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Mid State Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,626. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $41,678 early in their careers. Set against $11,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

Northcentral Technical College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Chippewa Valley Technical College
Eau Claire, WI

Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $45,531. Set against $14,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Western Technical College La Cross
La Crosse, WI

Western Technical College La Cross placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,669. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,479. Set against $13,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Madison Area Technical College
Madison, WI

Madison Area Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $29,018 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.

11

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $54,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

12

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $25,231. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

13

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,875. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $37,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.

14

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,532 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,451. Set against $21,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

15

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $23,551. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $49,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

16

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,251 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $36,904. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.

17

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

18

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,011 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $37,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,011 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

19

Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI

Alverno College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $43,066 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $44,812. Set against $43,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.

20

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $16,708 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

21

Herzing University Kenosha
Kenosha, WI

Herzing University Kenosha ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Herzing University Kenosha is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,450. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $32,832 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $50,311. Set against $32,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Herzing University Kenosha admits about 92% of applicants.

22

Herzing University Brookfield
Brookfield, WI

Herzing University Brookfield ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Herzing University Brookfield is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookfield. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $32,325. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Herzing University Brookfield generally make around $50,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Herzing University Brookfield admits about 93% of applicants.

23

Herzing University Madison
Madison, WI

Herzing University Madison earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Madison, Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,450. Students borrow a median of $30,328 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Herzing University Madison generally make around $53,203. That is a strong return on a $30,328 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.