Best Value Business/Commerce Colleges in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Parkside delivers business education at just $10,044 net cost while producing graduates who earn $42,682 annually. This represents one of the strongest cost-to-earnings ratios among Wisconsin's 12 business programs, which range from $10,044 to $29,237 in net costs. The state's business education market reflects Wisconsin's economic foundation built on manufacturing giants like GE Healthcare and Kimberly-Clark, plus technology leaders including Epic Systems. Public universities dominate the value equation here, with UW-Parkside, UW-Whitewater, and UW-Milwaukee all keeping costs below $17,000 while preparing students for careers in the state's $340 billion economy.

Programs

$10,044 – $29,237

Net Price Range

$40,735

Avg. Program Earnings

61.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

12 Business/Commerce, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Wisconsin-Parkside Kenosha, Wisconsin	$10,044	$42,682	$7,855	39.8%	72.8%
2	University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, Wisconsin	$14,785	$42,682	$8,250	64.3%	82.4%
3	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,177	$38,953	$10,020	51.2%	86.3%
4	Ripon College Ripon, Wisconsin	$21,176	$43,426	$50,700	59.9%	81.3%
5	Saint Norbert College De Pere, Wisconsin	$25,674	$46,087	$44,432	73.6%	83.6%
6	Edgewood College Madison, Wisconsin	$25,634	$40,179	$34,850	67.4%	98.6%
7	Concordia University-Wisconsin Mequon, Wisconsin	$26,067	$31,133	$34,250	64.3%	70.4%
8	Alverno College Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,722		$32,794	50.5%	89.9%
9	Carthage College Kenosha, Wisconsin	$24,813		$36,500	60.5%	81.8%
10	Maranatha Baptist University Watertown, Wisconsin	$24,659		$20,280	65.7%	75.1%
11	Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$29,237		$48,700	80.1%	87.2%
12	University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, Wisconsin	$14,761		$8,212	57.9%	88.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Wisconsin-Parkside such good value for business students?

UW-Parkside combines the lowest net cost at $10,044 with strong graduate earnings of $42,682, creating an excellent return on investment. The 72.83% acceptance rate makes admission accessible, though the 39.80% graduation rate suggests students need strong commitment to complete their degree.

How do private college costs compare to public universities for business majors?

Private colleges like Saint Norbert charge $25,674 net cost compared to public schools averaging around $15,000. However, Saint Norbert graduates earn $46,087 annually, the highest among all programs, while maintaining a strong 73.60% graduation rate.

Does location within Wisconsin affect business program value?

Milwaukee-area schools show mixed results, with UW-Milwaukee at $16,177 and Marquette at $29,237 representing the cost spectrum. Smaller cities like Ripon offer middle-ground options at $21,176 while still connecting students to Wisconsin's statewide business network.

Where do Wisconsin business graduates typically find employment?

Wisconsin's economy centers on manufacturing, healthcare technology, and consumer goods, with major employers like Epic Systems, GE Healthcare, and Kimberly-Clark. Business graduates often enter roles in operations, finance, and management across these established industries that form the state's economic backbone.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.