Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in Wisconsin by Acceptance Rate 2026
University of Wisconsin-Madison leads this list with a reported acceptance rate of 45.2%. This page ranks only schools with standard reported admissions data.
The hardest Wisconsin colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 25
- Cheapest net price
- $11,772
- Top earnings 10y
- $89,070
- Public / Private
- 7 / 18
University of Wisconsin-Madison
B- Acceptance
- 45.2%
- Net price
- $17,354
- Earnings 10y
- $73,792
- Acceptance
- 45.2%
Milwaukee School of Engineering
B- Acceptance
- 58.9%
- Net price
- $22,453
- Earnings 10y
- $89,070
- Acceptance
- 58.9%
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
D- Acceptance
- 60.5%
- Net price
- $26,541
- Earnings 10y
- $41,174
- Acceptance
- 60.5%
Mount Mary University
C- Acceptance
- 62.3%
- Net price
- $20,144
- Earnings 10y
- $48,745
- Acceptance
- 62.3%
Beloit College
C- Acceptance
- 63%
- Net price
- $21,526
- Earnings 10y
- $53,260
- Acceptance
- 63%
Lawrence University
C- Acceptance
- 63.9%
- Net price
- $23,401
- Earnings 10y
- $55,789
- Acceptance
- 63.9%
Carroll University
B- Acceptance
- 66.8%
- Net price
- $15,193
- Earnings 10y
- $58,009
- Acceptance
- 66.8%
Maranatha Baptist University
D- Acceptance
- 71.9%
- Net price
- $26,005
- Earnings 10y
- $45,593
- Acceptance
- 71.9%
Viterbo University
C- Acceptance
- 72.4%
- Net price
- $21,260
- Earnings 10y
- $55,660
- Acceptance
- 72.4%
Marian University
C- Acceptance
- 75%
- Net price
- $21,937
- Earnings 10y
- $53,501
- Acceptance
- 75%
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
A- Acceptance
- 75.4%
- Net price
- $11,772
- Earnings 10y
- $51,129
- Acceptance
- 75.4%
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
B- Acceptance
- 75.5%
- Net price
- $16,210
- Earnings 10y
- $60,378
- Acceptance
- 75.5%
Edgewood University
C- Acceptance
- 75.7%
- Net price
- $26,113
- Earnings 10y
- $59,728
- Acceptance
- 75.7%
Wisconsin Lutheran College
C- Acceptance
- 78.2%
- Net price
- $23,245
- Earnings 10y
- $54,664
- Acceptance
- 78.2%
Concordia University-Wisconsin
D- Acceptance
- 78.2%
- Net price
- $36,201
- Earnings 10y
- $56,075
- Acceptance
- 78.2%
Ripon College
C- Acceptance
- 79.8%
- Net price
- $20,216
- Earnings 10y
- $54,902
- Acceptance
- 79.8%
Marquette University
C- Acceptance
- 81.3%
- Net price
- $31,487
- Earnings 10y
- $78,257
- Acceptance
- 81.3%
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
B- Acceptance
- 81.7%
- Net price
- $14,054
- Earnings 10y
- $54,458
- Acceptance
- 81.7%
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
B- Acceptance
- 82.3%
- Net price
- $16,550
- Earnings 10y
- $58,561
- Acceptance
- 82.3%
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
B- Acceptance
- 85.7%
- Net price
- $14,158
- Earnings 10y
- $55,356
- Acceptance
- 85.7%
Alverno College
C- Acceptance
- 85.7%
- Net price
- $22,540
- Earnings 10y
- $53,145
- Acceptance
- 85.7%
Saint Norbert College
C- Acceptance
- 85.7%
- Net price
- $26,172
- Earnings 10y
- $58,363
- Acceptance
- 85.7%
Lakeland University
C- Acceptance
- 86.3%
- Net price
- $24,212
- Earnings 10y
- $55,961
- Acceptance
- 86.3%
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
B- Acceptance
- 86.5%
- Net price
- $14,305
- Earnings 10y
- $55,548
- Acceptance
- 86.5%
Carthage College
D- Acceptance
- 87.1%
- Net price
- $26,565
- Earnings 10y
- $56,950
- Acceptance
- 87.1%
How we picked this list
This list starts with Wisconsin colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 7.14 (7 public, 18 private).
Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, WI tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 45.2%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many Wisconsin colleges are in this list?
33 Wisconsin colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?
Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.