Best Value Computer and Information Sciences Colleges in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates in Computer and Information Sciences earn $75,282 annually, the highest among Wisconsin programs, while charging just $11,205 for in-state students. This positions the flagship campus as both an academic leader with an 89.30% graduation rate and a financial bargain compared to private options like Marquette University at $48,700 tuition. The state's tech sector, anchored by Epic Systems in Madison and GE Healthcare in Milwaukee, creates strong demand for computing graduates. Public universities dominate Wisconsin's value proposition, with seven UW system schools offering net prices below $18,000. Even the most expensive option, Marquette at $29,237 net price, costs significantly less than many out-of-state alternatives. Wisconsin students benefit from the Wisconsin Grant program, which helps keep public university costs manageable. The earnings range of $51,972 to $75,282 reflects Wisconsin's growing technology economy, where healthcare IT and manufacturing automation drive demand for computing professionals.

Programs

$10,044 – $29,237

Net Price Range

$61,271

Avg. Program Earnings

59.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

20 Computer and Information Sciences, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse, Wisconsin	$15,374	$68,592	$9,651	71.2%	74.3%
2	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$75,282	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
3	University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, Wisconsin	$14,754	$62,508	$8,315	61.5%	85.4%
4	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, Wisconsin	$16,948	$69,867	$9,277	67.6%	76.6%
5	University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, Wisconsin	$14,785	$59,576	$8,250	64.3%	82.4%
6	University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, Wisconsin	$13,726	$51,972	$8,834	56.0%	89.1%
7	University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, Wisconsin	$17,365	$52,420	$10,142	52.5%	86.3%
8	Lakeland University Plymouth, Wisconsin	$22,092	$55,625	$32,286	55.7%	99.5%
9	Carthage College Kenosha, Wisconsin	$24,813	$60,094	$36,500	60.5%	81.8%
10	Edgewood College Madison, Wisconsin	$25,634	$55,512	$34,850	67.4%	98.6%
11	Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$29,237	$62,534	$48,700	80.1%	87.2%
12	Viterbo University La Crosse, Wisconsin	$22,633		$32,350	65.2%	72.4%
13	Marian University Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin	$23,341		$33,000	41.2%	71.6%
14	University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, Wisconsin	$14,761		$8,212	57.9%	88.5%
15	University of Wisconsin-Parkside Kenosha, Wisconsin	$10,044		$7,855	39.8%	72.8%
16	Herzing University-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$20,319		$13,420	27.6%	94.5%
17	University of Wisconsin-Superior Superior, Wisconsin	$13,405		$8,487	44.1%	95.6%
18	Carroll University Waukesha, Wisconsin	$24,362		$37,230	69.6%	72.1%
19	University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, Wisconsin	$14,714		$8,606	60.9%	84.5%
20	Alverno College Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,722		$32,794	50.5%	89.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Wisconsin-Madison the top earner for computer science graduates?

UW-Madison graduates earn $75,282 annually, nearly $7,000 more than the next highest program at UW-Eau Claire ($69,867). The university's 89.30% graduation rate, highest among Wisconsin programs, indicates strong program completion and job placement. Madison's proximity to Epic Systems headquarters and other major tech employers provides internship and career opportunities that boost earning potential.

How do public university costs compare to private colleges for computer science in Wisconsin?

Public universities charge in-state students between $7,855 and $11,205 annually, while private colleges range from $32,286 to $48,700. The largest gap appears between UW-Parkside at $7,855 and Marquette University at $48,700, a difference of over $40,000 per year. Even after financial aid, private schools average $22,000 to $29,000 in net costs compared to $10,000 to $17,000 for public options.

Does University of Wisconsin-Parkside offer the best financial value despite lower graduation rates?

UW-Parkside charges just $10,044 net price, the lowest among all programs, making it highly affordable for budget-conscious students. However, its 39.80% graduation rate raises concerns about program completion and support services. Students should weigh the $5,000 annual savings against potentially longer degree completion times and reduced networking opportunities compared to higher-performing campuses.

Where do Wisconsin computer science graduates find the highest-paying jobs?

Epic Systems in Madison represents Wisconsin's largest tech employer, offering competitive salaries for healthcare IT professionals. GE Healthcare in Milwaukee provides opportunities in medical technology and data analytics roles. Manufacturing companies like Kimberly-Clark increasingly hire computing graduates for automation and data analysis positions, contributing to the state's $51,972 to $75,282 salary range.

How do acceptance rates affect program accessibility across Wisconsin schools?

Most Wisconsin programs accept 70% to 90% of applicants, with Lakeland University accepting 99.51% and UW-Stevens Point accepting 89.05%. UW-Madison proves most selective at 49.06% acceptance, reflecting its status as the flagship campus with highest earning potential. This accessibility means qualified students have multiple affordable options, unlike states where top programs maintain extremely low acceptance rates.

More Computer and Information Sciences, General Rankings

Cheapest Computer and Information Sciences, General in Wisconsin Computer and Information Sciences, General Under $20,000 in Wisconsin

All Computer and Information Sciences, General Programs Best Colleges in Wisconsin Best Computer and Information Sciences, General in Wisconsin

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