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Best Value Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Wisconsin

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay delivers the highest post-graduation earnings among Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Wisconsin at $37,613, while charging students a net price of just $12,878. This significant return on investment reflects the growing demand for broadly educated professionals in Wisconsin's expanding healthcare and technology sectors, particularly at companies like Epic Systems and GE Healthcare that value critical thinking and communication skills. The state's 15 Liberal Arts programs show dramatic price variations, with net costs ranging from $10,044 at UW-Parkside to over $25,000 at private institutions. Public universities dominate the value market, with UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater also delivering strong earnings of $32,391 and $32,593 respectively at affordable net prices under $15,000. Wisconsin's manufacturing heritage increasingly requires workers who can adapt across disciplines, making Liberal Arts graduates valuable in quality management, technical writing, and project coordination roles throughout the state's economy.
27
Programs
$10,044 – $29,237
Net Price Range
$30,661
Avg. Program Earnings
58.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

27 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,878 $37,613 $8,342 53.1% 89.6%
2 $13,726 $32,391 $8,834 56.0% 89.1%
3 $14,785 $32,593 $8,250 64.3% 82.4%
4 $16,722 $32,772 $32,794 50.5% 89.9%
5 $16,177 $31,640 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
6 $21,176 $33,993 $50,700 59.9% 81.3%
7 $16,948 $25,967 $9,277 67.6% 76.6%
8 $24,659 $18,315 $20,280 65.7% 75.1%
9 $25,674 $44,432 73.6% 83.6%
10 $10,498 $6,200 27.5%
11 $14,754 $8,315 61.5% 85.4%
12 $13,405 $8,487 44.1% 95.6%
13 $10,044 $7,855 39.8% 72.8%
14 $14,761 $8,212 57.9% 88.5%
15 $21,315 $35,080 62.7% 93.8%
16 $15,374 $9,651 71.2% 74.3%
17 $22,633 $32,350 65.2% 72.4%
18 $20,780 $42,491 43.3% 68.4%
19 $18,295 $34,390 58.9% 69.5%
20 $29,237 $48,700 80.1% 87.2%
21 $23,341 $33,000 41.2% 71.6%
22 $24,563 $55,461 76.4% 72.3%
23 $22,092 $32,286 55.7% 99.5%
24 $25,634 $34,850 67.4% 98.6%
25 $26,067 $34,250 64.3% 70.4%
26 $24,813 $36,500 60.5% 81.8%
27 $24,362 $37,230 69.6% 72.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What Liberal Arts program offers the best earnings potential in Wisconsin?

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay graduates earn $37,613 annually after completing their Liberal Arts degree, the highest among Wisconsin schools. This figure significantly exceeds the state average and reflects strong job placement in healthcare administration, technical communications, and business analysis roles. The program combines this earning power with a net price of $12,878, creating excellent value for students.

How much do private Liberal Arts colleges cost compared to public options?

Private Liberal Arts programs in Wisconsin charge net prices between $16,722 and $25,674, while public universities range from $10,044 to $16,948. Saint Norbert College represents the premium end at $25,674 but achieves a 73.6% graduation rate. Public options like UW-Parkside offer the lowest net cost at $10,044, though graduation rates vary significantly across institutions.

Does graduation rate vary significantly among Wisconsin Liberal Arts programs?

Graduation rates span from 27.5% at College of Menominee Nation to 73.6% at Saint Norbert College, showing substantial variation across institutions. Most public universities achieve rates between 44% and 67%, with UW-Eau Claire leading public schools at 67.6%. Private colleges generally maintain higher completion rates, with Maranatha Baptist University reaching 65.7% despite serving a specialized student population.

What acceptance rates should Liberal Arts students expect in Wisconsin?

Most Wisconsin Liberal Arts programs accept between 75% and 95% of applicants, making admission relatively accessible for qualified students. UW-Superior maintains the highest acceptance rate at 95.6%, while UW-Parkside is more selective at 72.8%. Private colleges like Maranatha Baptist University accept 75% of applicants, reflecting their specialized mission and smaller applicant pools.

How does student debt compare across Wisconsin Liberal Arts programs?

Available debt data shows graduates typically carry between $19,672 and $28,875 in student loans after completing Liberal Arts degrees. UW-Green Bay graduates have the lowest debt burden at $19,672 despite earning the highest salaries. Alverno College graduates carry $28,875 in debt but still achieve solid earnings of $32,772, maintaining reasonable debt-to-income ratios for Liberal Arts majors.

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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.