Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside offers the state's most affordable Teacher Education and Professional Development program at just $10,044 net cost, while private institutions like Mount Mary University reach $18,295. This $8,251 price gap reflects the broader accessibility of Wisconsin's public university system for aspiring educators. Wisconsin's strong K-12 system creates steady demand for qualified teachers, particularly with the state's focus on rural education and growing districts in suburban Milwaukee and Madison areas. Graduate earnings vary significantly across programs, from $31,042 at UW-Stout to $39,969 at UW-Oshkosh, reflecting different specialization tracks and regional job markets. The Wisconsin Grant provides additional support for in-state students, making public options even more attractive. With graduation rates ranging from 27.5% at College of Menominee Nation to 89.3% at UW-Madison, students can find programs matching both their budget and academic preparation level.

Programs

$10,044 – $29,237

Net Price Range

$37,988

Avg. Program Earnings

59.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

27 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods 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	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	Alverno College Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,722	$32,794	50.5%	89.9%
11	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
12	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, Wisconsin	$16,948	$9,277	67.6%	76.6%
13	University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, Wisconsin	$17,365	$10,142	52.5%	86.3%
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	Lakeland University Plymouth, Wisconsin	$22,092	$32,286	55.7%	99.5%
19	Viterbo University La Crosse, Wisconsin	$22,633	$32,350	65.2%	72.4%
20	Marian University Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin	$23,341	$33,000	41.2%	71.6%
21	Carroll University Waukesha, Wisconsin	$24,362	$37,230	69.6%	72.1%
22	Maranatha Baptist University Watertown, Wisconsin	$24,659	$20,280	65.7%	75.1%
23	Carthage College Kenosha, Wisconsin	$24,813	$36,500	60.5%	81.8%
24	Edgewood College Madison, Wisconsin	$25,634	$34,850	67.4%	98.6%
25	Saint Norbert College De Pere, Wisconsin	$25,674	$44,432	73.6%	83.6%
26	Concordia University-Wisconsin Mequon, Wisconsin	$26,067	$34,250	64.3%	70.4%
27	Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$29,237	$48,700	80.1%	87.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $8,251 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Public universities dominate the affordable end, with UW-Parkside at $10,044 and most UW system schools under $18,000. Private institutions like Mount Mary University ($18,295) and Northland College ($20,780) carry higher sticker prices but often provide more individualized attention. The UW system's state funding and standardized pricing structure keeps costs predictable across campuses.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Wisconsin?

UW-Madison combines the highest graduation rate at 89.3% with a mid-range cost of $16,928, showing that affordability doesn't always mean lower outcomes. UW-La Crosse achieves 71.2% graduation at $15,374, while some cheaper options like College of Menominee Nation show 27.5% completion. The UW system generally maintains graduation rates between 44% and 71% across most campuses.

Where do Wisconsin teacher education graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

UW-Oshkosh graduates earn $39,969 annually, the highest among programs reporting earnings data. UW-Stevens Point follows at $38,363, while UW-Madison graduates earn $38,649 despite the program's competitive admission rate of 49.06%. UW-Stout shows the lowest earnings at $31,042, though this may reflect different teaching specializations and geographic job markets.

Is College of Menominee Nation a viable option despite its low graduation rate?

College of Menominee Nation offers unique cultural perspectives and the second-lowest net cost at $10,498, serving the Menominee tribal community specifically. The 27.5% graduation rate reflects the institution's open-access mission and student population challenges rather than program quality. Students seeking culturally responsive teacher preparation may find value here despite completion rate concerns.

Does Wisconsin's job market support teacher education graduates effectively?

Wisconsin's stable education sector, supported by districts in Milwaukee, Madison, and growing suburban areas, provides steady employment for new teachers. The state's emphasis on rural education creates additional opportunities, particularly for graduates willing to work in smaller communities. With major employers like Epic Systems driving population growth, suburban school districts continue expanding and hiring new teachers regularly.

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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.