Cheapest Economics Colleges in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater economics graduates earn $54,435 annually, the highest among state schools, while students pay just $14,785 in net costs. This earning power reflects Wisconsin's strong business environment, home to Fortune 500 companies like Kimberly-Clark and healthcare technology leader Epic Systems that actively recruit economics talent. The affordability gap between public and private options runs deep, with UW-Parkside offering the lowest net cost at $10,044 compared to private schools averaging over $20,000. Wisconsin's public university system dominates affordable economics education, claiming 11 of the 15 most cost-effective programs. The state's manufacturing heritage and modern tech sector create demand for analytical skills that economics programs develop, particularly in data analysis and market research roles.

Programs

$10,044 – $29,237

Net Price Range

$47,016

Avg. Program Earnings

62.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Economics 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-Oshkosh Oshkosh, Wisconsin	$14,761	$8,212	57.9%	88.5%
7	University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, Wisconsin	$14,785	$8,250	64.3%	82.4%
8	University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse, Wisconsin	$15,374	$9,651	71.2%	74.3%
9	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,177	$10,020	51.2%	86.3%
10	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
11	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, Wisconsin	$16,948	$9,277	67.6%	76.6%
12	Northland College Ashland, Wisconsin	$20,780	$42,491	43.3%	68.4%
13	Ripon College Ripon, Wisconsin	$21,176	$50,700	59.9%	81.3%
14	Beloit College Beloit, Wisconsin	$21,924	$58,554	67.2%	65.9%
15	Carroll University Waukesha, Wisconsin	$24,362	$37,230	69.6%	72.1%
16	Lawrence University Appleton, Wisconsin	$24,563	$55,461	76.4%	72.3%
17	Carthage College Kenosha, Wisconsin	$24,813	$36,500	60.5%	81.8%
18	Edgewood College Madison, Wisconsin	$25,634	$34,850	67.4%	98.6%
19	Saint Norbert College De Pere, Wisconsin	$25,674	$44,432	73.6%	83.6%
20	Concordia University-Wisconsin Mequon, Wisconsin	$26,067	$34,250	64.3%	70.4%
21	Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$29,237	$48,700	80.1%	87.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes UW-Whitewater stand out for economics value?

UW-Whitewater economics graduates earn $54,435 annually, the highest in the state, while paying only $14,785 in net costs. The program maintains a solid 64.3% graduation rate and 82.4% acceptance rate. Students graduate with manageable debt averaging $17,750, creating strong return on investment for career preparation.

How much can students save by choosing public over private economics programs?

Public economics programs average $14,000-16,000 in net costs while private schools start around $20,780 at Northland College. The savings reach $10,000 annually compared to most private options. UW-Parkside offers the lowest cost at just $10,044, making it nearly half the price of the cheapest private alternative.

Is UW-Madison worth the higher cost among public schools?

UW-Madison charges $16,928 in net costs, about $6,000 more than the cheapest public option, but delivers an 89.3% graduation rate. Economics graduates earn $49,521 annually with relatively low debt of $20,500. The program's selectivity at 49.1% acceptance suggests stronger academic preparation and networking opportunities.

Does the Wisconsin Grant significantly impact economics program costs?

The Wisconsin Grant reduces costs substantially for qualifying in-state students across the UW system. Students at schools like UW-Green Bay pay just $8,342 in-state tuition while the net price averages $12,878. This state aid makes economics education accessible even for students from lower-income families throughout Wisconsin.

Where do Wisconsin economics graduates typically find employment?

Major employers like Epic Systems in healthcare technology, GE Healthcare, and Kimberly-Clark actively recruit economics graduates for analytical roles. Wisconsin's manufacturing sector values economic analysis for supply chain and market research positions. The state's mix of traditional industries and emerging tech companies creates varied career paths for economics degree holders.

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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.