Cheapest Business Administration Colleges in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's most affordable business programs span a remarkable cost range from $10,044 at UW-Parkside to $18,796 at the high end, with public universities dominating the lower-cost options. The University of Wisconsin-Madison stands out as an strong value proposition, charging just $16,928 in net costs while delivering the highest graduate earnings at $61,303 annually. This earning potential aligns perfectly with Wisconsin's corporate market, where major employers like Epic Systems and GE Healthcare actively recruit business graduates for management roles. Most programs cluster between $13,000-$15,000 in annual costs, making business education accessible across the state's public university system. Graduation rates vary significantly, from 13.3% at smaller institutions to 89.3% at UW-Madison, suggesting that students must carefully balance affordability with completion likelihood. The state's manufacturing heritage and growing healthcare sector create strong demand for business operations specialists, particularly in supply chain management and healthcare administration.

Programs

$10,044 – $29,237

Net Price Range

$46,253

Avg. Program Earnings

55.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

35 Business Administration, Management and Operations 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	College of Menominee Nation Keshena, Wisconsin	$10,498	$6,200	27.5%
3	Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University Hayward, Wisconsin	$11,536	$6,030	13.3%
4	University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Green Bay, Wisconsin	$12,878	$8,342	53.1%	89.6%
5	University of Wisconsin-Superior Superior, Wisconsin	$13,405	$8,487	44.1%	95.6%
6	University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, Wisconsin	$13,726	$8,834	56.0%	89.1%
7	University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, Wisconsin	$14,714	$8,606	60.9%	84.5%
8	University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, Wisconsin	$14,754	$8,315	61.5%	85.4%
9	University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, Wisconsin	$14,761	$8,212	57.9%	88.5%
10	University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, Wisconsin	$14,785	$8,250	64.3%	82.4%
11	Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa Wauwatosa, Wisconsin	$15,135	$19,944	23.5%
12	University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse, Wisconsin	$15,374	$9,651	71.2%	74.3%
13	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,177	$10,020	51.2%	86.3%
14	Alverno College Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,722	$32,794	50.5%	89.9%
15	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
16	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, Wisconsin	$16,948	$9,277	67.6%	76.6%
17	University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, Wisconsin	$17,365	$10,142	52.5%	86.3%
18	Herzing University-Kenosha Kenosha, Wisconsin	$17,613	$13,420	50.0%	93.5%
19	Mount Mary University Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$18,295	$34,390	58.9%	69.5%
20	Herzing University-Brookfield Brookfield, Wisconsin	$18,796	$13,420	40.0%	95.1%
21	Rasmussen University-Wisconsin Green Bay, Wisconsin	$18,847	$11,982	62.5%
22	Herzing University-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$20,319	$13,420	27.6%	94.5%
23	Northland College Ashland, Wisconsin	$20,780	$42,491	43.3%	68.4%
24	Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$21,315	$35,080	62.7%	93.8%
25	Lakeland University Plymouth, Wisconsin	$22,092	$32,286	55.7%	99.5%
26	Viterbo University La Crosse, Wisconsin	$22,633	$32,350	65.2%	72.4%
27	Marian University Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin	$23,341	$33,000	41.2%	71.6%
28	Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$24,021	$48,421	71.5%	63.5%
29	Carroll University Waukesha, Wisconsin	$24,362	$37,230	69.6%	72.1%
30	Maranatha Baptist University Watertown, Wisconsin	$24,659	$20,280	65.7%	75.1%
31	Carthage College Kenosha, Wisconsin	$24,813	$36,500	60.5%	81.8%
32	Edgewood College Madison, Wisconsin	$25,634	$34,850	67.4%	98.6%
33	Saint Norbert College De Pere, Wisconsin	$25,674	$44,432	73.6%	83.6%
34	Concordia University-Wisconsin Mequon, Wisconsin	$26,067	$34,250	64.3%	70.4%
35	Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$29,237	$48,700	80.1%	87.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes UW-Madison worth the higher cost compared to other Wisconsin business programs?

UW-Madison costs $16,928 annually but delivers $61,303 in average graduate earnings, significantly higher than other state options. The 89.3% graduation rate ranks highest among Wisconsin business programs. Students also graduate with just $20,000 in debt, matching several lower-cost alternatives while earning substantially more post-graduation.

How do graduation rates affect the true value of these affordable programs?

Graduation rates range from 13.3% at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University to 89.3% at UW-Madison, making completion likelihood important for cost calculations. UW-Whitewater offers strong value with a 64.3% graduation rate at $14,785 annually. Students at programs with rates below 40% face higher risks of debt without degree completion.

Does attending a private nonprofit business school in Wisconsin provide better career outcomes?

Private options like Alverno College cost $16,722 but produce graduates earning $40,945, less than many public alternatives. Bryant & Stratton College graduates average just $34,963 in earnings despite the program's focus on practical skills. Public universities generally offer better return on investment for Wisconsin business students.

Where do business graduates from these affordable Wisconsin programs typically find employment?

Wisconsin's economy centers on manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture, creating demand for operations managers and business analysts. Major employers including Epic Systems, GE Healthcare, and Kimberly-Clark actively recruit from state universities. UW-Milwaukee graduates earn $51,449 on average, reflecting the city's corporate concentration and job market strength.

What debt levels should students expect from Wisconsin's cheapest business programs?

Debt levels range from $17,857 at UW-Green Bay to $38,718 at Bryant & Stratton College, with most public programs keeping debt around $20,000-$23,000. UW-Madison and UW-River Falls both maintain $20,000 average debt loads despite different cost structures. Private institutions typically saddle graduates with significantly higher debt burdens relative to earning potential.

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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.