Cheapest Biology Colleges in Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside offers the state's most affordable biology program at just $10,044 net price, creating a $12,589 cost gap compared to private options like Northland College. Wisconsin's public university system dominates affordability rankings, with 13 of the 15 cheapest programs coming from state institutions. Biology graduates entering Wisconsin's healthcare sector find opportunities with major employers like GE Healthcare and Epic Systems, where the state's $2.8 billion medical device industry creates demand for life science professionals. Early career earnings vary significantly across programs, from $25,194 at Northland College to $34,872 at UW-La Crosse. The Wisconsin Grant program helps reduce costs further for in-state students, making public options particularly attractive. Graduation rates span from 39.8% at UW-Parkside to 89.3% at UW-Madison, suggesting that affordability doesn't always correlate with completion success.

Programs

$10,044 – $29,237

Net Price Range

$30,662

Avg. Program Earnings

61.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

29 Biology, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Wisconsin-Parkside Kenosha, Wisconsin	$10,044	$7,855	39.8%	72.8%
2	University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Green Bay, Wisconsin	$12,878	$8,342	53.1%	89.6%
3	University of Wisconsin-Superior Superior, Wisconsin	$13,405	$8,487	44.1%	95.6%
4	University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, Wisconsin	$13,726	$8,834	56.0%	89.1%
5	University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, Wisconsin	$14,714	$8,606	60.9%	84.5%
6	University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, Wisconsin	$14,754	$8,315	61.5%	85.4%
7	University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, Wisconsin	$14,761	$8,212	57.9%	88.5%
8	University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, Wisconsin	$14,785	$8,250	64.3%	82.4%
9	University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse, Wisconsin	$15,374	$9,651	71.2%	74.3%
10	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,177	$10,020	51.2%	86.3%
11	Alverno College Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,722	$32,794	50.5%	89.9%
12	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
13	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, Wisconsin	$16,948	$9,277	67.6%	76.6%
14	Mount Mary University Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$18,295	$34,390	58.9%	69.5%
15	Northland College Ashland, Wisconsin	$20,780	$42,491	43.3%	68.4%
16	Ripon College Ripon, Wisconsin	$21,176	$50,700	59.9%	81.3%
17	Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$21,315	$35,080	62.7%	93.8%
18	Beloit College Beloit, Wisconsin	$21,924	$58,554	67.2%	65.9%
19	Lakeland University Plymouth, Wisconsin	$22,092	$32,286	55.7%	99.5%
20	Viterbo University La Crosse, Wisconsin	$22,633	$32,350	65.2%	72.4%
21	Marian University Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin	$23,341	$33,000	41.2%	71.6%
22	Carroll University Waukesha, Wisconsin	$24,362	$37,230	69.6%	72.1%
23	Lawrence University Appleton, Wisconsin	$24,563	$55,461	76.4%	72.3%
24	Maranatha Baptist University Watertown, Wisconsin	$24,659	$20,280	65.7%	75.1%
25	Carthage College Kenosha, Wisconsin	$24,813	$36,500	60.5%	81.8%
26	Edgewood College Madison, Wisconsin	$25,634	$34,850	67.4%	98.6%
27	Saint Norbert College De Pere, Wisconsin	$25,674	$44,432	73.6%	83.6%
28	Concordia University-Wisconsin Mequon, Wisconsin	$26,067	$34,250	64.3%	70.4%
29	Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$29,237	$48,700	80.1%	87.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $6,884 cost difference between the cheapest public and private biology programs?

UW-Parkside's $10,044 net cost reflects state funding that subsidizes tuition for Wisconsin residents. Private institutions like Alverno College at $16,722 rely primarily on tuition revenue and endowments. The Wisconsin Grant program provides additional need-based aid averaging $1,800 annually for eligible in-state students. Public universities also benefit from economies of scale and state appropriations that private colleges cannot access.

How do graduation rates compare between the most affordable biology programs?

Among the five cheapest programs, graduation rates range from 39.8% at UW-Parkside to 61.5% at UW-Platteville. UW-Green Bay achieves a 53.1% rate despite its $12,878 cost, while UW-Superior graduates 44.1% of students. These completion rates generally trail more expensive options like UW-Madison's 89.3% rate. Financial stress and work obligations often impact student success at the most affordable institutions.

What career earnings can biology graduates expect from Wisconsin's cheapest programs?

Early career salaries vary significantly, from $25,194 at Northland College to $34,872 at UW-La Crosse among programs with available data. UW-Superior graduates earn $30,949 despite the school's $13,405 net cost, while UW-Green Bay alumni make $26,121. Wisconsin's healthcare and biotechnology sectors, including Epic Systems and medical device manufacturers, typically offer competitive entry-level positions. Geographic location and internship opportunities often influence starting salaries more than program cost.

Is student debt manageable at Wisconsin's most affordable biology programs?

Average debt loads range from $19,000 at UW-Green Bay to $21,740 at UW-Superior among the cheapest options. These amounts fall below the national average for public university graduates. UW-River Falls maintains relatively low debt at $19,500 despite strong job placement in agricultural and environmental sciences. The combination of affordable tuition and state financial aid helps Wisconsin students minimize borrowing compared to national trends.

Where do the most affordable Wisconsin biology programs have the highest acceptance rates?

UW-Superior accepts 95.6% of applicants while maintaining a net cost of $13,405, making it highly accessible. UW-Green Bay admits 89.6% of students at $12,878 net cost, followed by UW-Stevens Point at 89.1%. These open admission policies contrast with UW-Madison's 49.1% acceptance rate and $16,928 cost. Regional universities prioritize access over selectivity, serving students across Wisconsin's rural communities.

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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.