COVID 19 and school isn’t the only thing stressing people out. For some students, specifically seniors, a lot of time and thinking is being dedicated to deciding their future by where they want to go after they graduate. 

For some brave-hearted seniors, their minds are set on the military. Others might take a year off or go straight into work. Another group may go to a community college while others look towards a four+ year college. No matter where our seniors go, the Criterion staff supports them.

Though there are many colleges not only in the United States but in the world, students have endless possibilities for their futures. However, this article will go through all the colleges in Wisconsin that are close to home.

The list included will start with public schools in alphabetical order and then go into private schools. It is also worth taking note that in-state schools have lower tuition along with some public Minnesota universities.

Starting off, UW-Eau Claire is a college that pushes boundaries and allows for brilliance and transformation. Their acceptance rate is 86% with an average of students between 3.22 and 3.78 GPA. 

Their enrollment is 10,811 students with an average class size of 21. There are 80+ majors and 230+ student organizations. 51% of students generally receive financial aid. UW Eau Claire has a separate building located in Barron county as well.

UW-Green Bay offers many undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs and is located in 4 different locations including Green Bay, Marinette, Manitowoc, and Sheboygan.  Their acceptance rate at the main campus is 100% while the other campuses are 70%. 

General ACT composite scores of Green Bay students are in the range of 20 to 25. The enrollment at the main campus is 7,174 students with general classes containing 28 students. There are 48 majors offered as well as 130+ student organizations. 70% receive financial aid.

UW-Lacrosse has a successful future for anyone with its diverse learning environment. Located between towering bluffs and the Mississippi River, Lacrosse gives the student a small-town feel.  The acceptance rate is 79% while the average ACT composite score is between 23 and 27.

Lacrosse has 10,569 students with 29 students average per class, making a 19:1 ratio between students and staff. There are 100 majors offered as well as 236 student organizations. 73% of students received financial aid.

UW-Madison is a research powerhouse as well as the 15th best public university in the nation while creating a vibrant atmosphere for any student looking to become a badger. Their acceptance rate is 56% while accepting people generally with a 3.8 to 4.0 GPA.

There are 44,411 students currently enrolled with an average class size of 31. 130 majors are offered as well as 1005 student organizations. Generally, 61% of students receive financial aid.

UW-Milwaukee is located in a major urban city that allows its panthers to take on the world, even before graduation. In its two other locations, in Washington County, and in Waukesha, UW- Milwaukee offers associate degrees. Milwaukee’s acceptance rate is 87% while the other two campuses have rates near 100%. 

The general GPA acceptance is between 2.89 and 3.56. The main building has an enrollment of 24,955 with an average class size of 27. 84 majors are offered as well as 300 student organizations. 75% of students received financial aid.

UW-Oshkosh lets the future be yours to create. This is a place where you can collaborate, contribute, and succeed all before you graduate. Smaller buildings of UW-Oshkosh are located in Fond du Lac and Fox Cities. The main acceptance rate is 85% while at the smaller campuses, generally, around 60% are accepted. 

UW-Oshkosh students generally have a 3.0 to 3.6 GPA. At the main building, there are 14,216 students enrolled with an average class size of 26. 75 majors are offered as well as 167 student organizations. 78% of students received financial aid.

UW-Parkside has a wide campus of silent prairies and woodlands with smaller class sizes that allow for individual attention. The general acceptance rate is 87% while the average GPA of an incoming student is 2.69 – 3.47.

4,300 students are currently enrolled at Parkside with an average class size of 23. 41 majors are offered as well as 85 student organizations. 80% of students received financial aid.

UW-Platteville offers an affordable education that meets your interests with hands-on projects and practical experiences. At its main campus, UW-Platteville has an acceptance rate of 96% while the locations at Baraboo Sauk County and Richland have a 99% acceptance rate.

An average GPA of an incoming student is between 3.08 and 3.74. The current enrollment at the main campus is 7,979 with an average class size of 25. 40+ majors are offered along with 200+ student organizations. 76% received financial aid.

UW-River Falls offers its students a friendly community with easy access to a big city- just 30 minutes away from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Its acceptance rate is 89% while the average GPA is between 3.07 and 3.76.

Its current enrollment is 6,139 students with an average class size of 22 students. There are 60 majors offered as well as 150 student organizations. 76% received very good financial aid.

UW-Stevens Point is a state-of-the-art Chemistry Biology building right in the heart of Wisconsin as well as its other locations at Marshfield and Wausau.  While the main campus’s acceptance rate is 92%, the smaller campus buildings have a 100% acceptance rate. The main campus had 81% of undergraduates receiving financial aid.

At the main building in Stevens Point, 7,725 students are enrolled with an average class of 26 students. 53 majors are offered as well as 214 student organizations. 81% receive financial aid at the Stevens Point campus.

UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University allows students to start exciting careers with experience on their resumes. Their acceptance rate is 97% with a range of 3.28 through 3.85 GPA.

Stout has 8,748 students with an average class size of 24 students. They offer 50 majors as well as 153 student organizations. 82% of students received financial aid.

UW-Superior is the smallest of the 4-year campuses to give the student an opportunity to be heard as well as offering unique programs like Transportation and Logistics Management or Environmental Science.  Their acceptance rate is 96% with a GPA range of 2.85-3.7.

Superior has an enrollment of 2,600 with an average class size of 18. Superior offers 50 majors with 57 student organizations. 82% of students received financial aid.

UW-Whitewater inspires, engages, and transforms lives. The Warhawk family isn’t just an expression, it is how they live. Whitewater has two campuses- one in Janesville (Rock County) and the other in Whitewater. The acceptance rate in Rock County while in Whitewater, the acceptance rate is 87%. A student’s general GPA falls between 3.0 and 3.6.

The main building has 12,084 students with classes of 28 students. Meanwhile, its smaller campus has only 975 students, most familiar from Craig, with only half of the main campus’s class size. There are 50+ majors at the main campus along with 217 student organizations. There are only 23 organizations offered in Rock County. 75% of students received financial aid.

If a public university isn’t right for a student, there are 24 other colleges in the state to pick from that offer a different lifestyle. The private or nonprofit colleges and universities of Wisconsin could be your future.

Starting with Alverno College in residential Milwaukee, founded by the School Sisters of St. Francis, Alverno, is one of the largest Catholic women’s colleges in the nation. Tuition and fees cost around $29,456 while room and board are $8,800.

At Alverno, 1,851 students are enrolled with a student/faculty ratio of 10:1. Consideration is given to AP and IB courses. 60 areas of study are offered for bachelor degrees and masters in 7 areas. Nearly 100% received financial aid upon going to Alverno.

At Bellin College, located in Green Bay, students can really indulge in the field of health sciences, specializing in nursing and medical programs with state-of-the-art technology. Tuition and fees are around $21,383. AP scores of 3 and higher are credited, and IB scores range around 4 or higher, depending on the area of study.

At Bellin, 440 students are enrolled with a student/faculty ratio of 10:1. Several medical and health science bachelor degrees are offered. Around 96% of students received financial aid.

Beloit college is one nearby home that allows the student to build strong resumes by learning in the real world. It is a good choice for incoming freshmen since they have absolutely no secondary school requirements. Up to 8 units of credits from AP or IB exams can be applied towards graduation. Tuition and fees range around $51,532 while room and board are $9,360.

At Beloit College, 1,275 students are enrolled with a student/faculty ratio of 11:1. Degrees include Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. 99% of first-year students generally receive financial aid.

Cardinal Stritch University, located in Milwaukee, prepares the student to succeed and lead in a diverse, changing world with transformational programs. Tuition and fees range around $31,798 while room and board are $9,142. AP and IB credits are recognized based on department review.

At Cardinal Stritch, 2,148 students are enrolled with a 10:1 student/faculty ratio. This college offers several degrees including but not limited to Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Science, Education, Business administration, etc.  99% of freshmen receive financial aid while undergraduates receive 75%.

Carroll University, found in Waukesha, has had a pioneer spirit of the institution since 1846 with an emphasis on community involvement and global experiences. Tuition starts around $32,850 while room and board are $9,900. AP credits that are offered vary by subject and score.

At Carroll, 3,500 total are enrolled with a student/faculty ratio of 22:1. Many degrees are offered including but not limited to the arts, science, nursing, educational leadership, occupational therapy, etc. 98% of students received financial aid.

Carthage College, located in Kenosha on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a peaceful campus recognized for excellence. With rare access to facilities and opportunities, students have access to ‘The Aspire Program’. Tuition starts around $45,100 while room and board are $12,400. AP and IB credits are given to scores ranging between 3 and 5.

At Carthage, 3,000 total are enrolled with a 12:1 student ratio. Bachelor degrees include a bachelor of the arts and a bachelor of science or nursing. 90% of students received financial aid.

Concordia University Wisconsin, located in Mequon, is well known for the 200-acres the school is settled on, right next to Lake Michigan and miles away from Milwaukee. At Concordia, one can live the uncommon life by finding their “voice” in today’s world. AP/IB credits take scores of 3 or higher. Tuition and fees begin around $30,286 while room and board are $11,170.

Currently, there are 8,004 students enrolled at Concordia University Wisconsin with a 12:1 student/faculty ratio. Degrees offered include but are not limited to the arts, science (nursing), social work, pharmacy, church music, etc.  99% of freshmen receive financial aid.

Edgewood College, located in Madison, has one of the best-ranked college towns in the country with all the benefits of a state capitol while still having the advantages of a small college.  Students must have two of the following: a GPA of 2.5 or higher, a composite score of 18 on the ACT, or rank top 50% in your high school class. Credits are awarded for AP/IB classes for scores 3,4, or 5 on the exam.

Tuition and board start at $30,600 while room and board is $11,350. Common-listed degrees from most schools listed above are offered. Edgewood has 2,200 total students enrolled with a 10:1 student/faculty ratio. 98% of freshmen receive financial aid while full-time students receive 90%.

Herzing University, located in Kenosha, Madison, and Milwaukee/Brookfield, has a wide range of locations to choose from. You are welcomed into a community that ensures success with everything being tailored to your personal needs and goals. AP and IB credits are given based on a variety of factors. Tuition starts around $15,961 with no room and board.

At Herzing, there are 1,217 students enrolled with a student/faculty ratio of 14:1. Graduate and undergraduate degrees are offered in more than 30 programs of technology, business, healthcare, and public safety. 99% of students receive financial aid.

Lakeland University, located in Plymouth, is constantly looking for ways to provide their students with access to education, even including positions for partner companies to allow the student to earn two to two and a half years of professional work.

Scores of 3 or better are accepted on AP tests. Tuition starts around $29,880 while room and board are $9,148. Most of the main degrees from the schools listed above are offered. 3000 total are enrolled with a 15:1 student/faculty ratio. 99% of students receive financial aid.

Lawrence University, located in Appleton, is known for its liberal arts and Conservatory of Music, which are both offered to undergraduates as well as its individualized courses. Most AP scores of 4 or 5 are accepted. Degrees offered include Bachelor of Arts, Music, or both. 

Tuition at Lawrence starts around $49,122 while room and board are $10,719. 1,500 students attend Lawrence with a student/faculty ratio of 8.5:1. Average freshman financial packages usually exceed $36,000 with 99% of students received financial aid.

Marian University, located in Fond du Lac, is a valued Catholic university that engages its students in a way that will lead to career opportunities. Tuition may start at $27,950, but the average aid package lies around $23,702 with 99% receiving financial aid. Room and board are $7,650. 

AP credits are offered for scores of 3 or higher, depending on the area of study. Marian has a little more than 1,950 enrolled with a 13:1 student/faculty ratio. More than 40 majors are offered along with 30 minors in popular programs of the art and sciences.

Marquette University, located in Milwaukee, is the most comprehensive Jesuit university in the states and offers a diverse academic experience by being both urban and residential. AP scores of 4 and 5 are accepted for credits. Tuition starts around $43,936 while room and board is $13,200.

11,605 students are enrolled with a 14:1 student/faculty ratio. At Marquette, 85 majors and 80 minors are offered pre-professional programs. All freshmen receive financial aid while undergraduates receive 88% of financial aid.

Medical College of Wisconsin is located in Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Central Wisconsin and specializes in academic medicine, physicians, pharmacists, and other providers that care for patients. Different programs have different tuitions ranging from 40 to 55 thousand dollars a year.

Around 1,500 students are enrolled in all the different schools with different programs having different student ratios, most having more teachers than students. 88% of full-time medical students received financial aid.

Milwaukee’s Institute of Art and Design, located in Milwaukee, specializes in visual arts while connecting to one another in meaningful ways and taking inspiration from the environment. Although fees will vary by major, general tuition is around $38,550 with room and board being $8,525. AP credits are considered by review of test scores and portfolios.

At MIAD, 820 students are enrolled with a 15:1 student/faculty ratio. Degrees offered include a bachelor of fine arts, communication design, illustration, industrial design, and interior architecture and design. 98% of students received financial aid.

Milwaukee’s School of Engineering, located in Milwaukee, is made for dreamers, makers, thinkers, and doers and makes the students ready while still in college. Most AP credits are given to scores of 4 or 5. Tuition starts around $42.162 while room and board are $9,768.

At MSOE, 2,800 students are enrolled with a student/faculty ratio of 16:1. Degrees offered include a bachelor or Master of science or business administration. Freshmen generally receive 99% financial aid.

Mount Mary University, located in Milwaukee, shapes bold women leaders to transform the world through their creativity, compassion, and talents. Credit is awarded to AP scores of 3, 4, or 5. Tuition starts at $31,160 while room and board are $9,180.

At Mount Mary, 1.358 students are currently enrolled with a student/faculty ratio of 11:1. They offer 30+ degree programs such as education, communication, medicine, etc. All students receive financial aid.

Nashotah House, located along Nashotah Lake in the woods of Nashotah, has a Christian-committed faith that not only lets students learn for their brain, but also for their hearts. Tuition and fees vary per course as well as room and board costs.

Nashotah House has 75 students enrolled with a 7:1 student/faculty ratio. Degrees offered include Master of  Divinity, Ministry, Theological Studies, Sacred Theology, and Doctor of Ministry. 97% of first-year students received financial aid.

Northland College, located blocks from the shores of Lake Superior in Ashland, is a liberal arts college that has a focus on the sustainability of the environment. Tuition and Fees begin around $37,514 while room and board are $9,406.  AP credits are given to a minimum score of 3.

At Northland, 597 students are enrolled with a 10:1 student/faculty ratio.  Many bachelor degrees in different areas of the liberal arts. All students receive financial aid.

Ripon College, located in Ripon, is Wisconsin’s best-value private college and stands out for its liberal arts and education, ensuring every student a realization of their potential. Most AP credits are awarded to scores of 4 or higher. Tuition starts around $45,113 while room and board is $8,653.

At Ripon, 786 students are enrolled with a student/faculty ratio of 14:1. Degrees offered include a bachelor of arts, education certificate, dual-degree, and pre-professional. All students receive financial aid.

St. Norbert College, located in De Pere, is a college rich in tradition and engaging student experiences. Four semester-hours of credit in a given area are awarded to AP scores of 3 or higher. Tuition and fees are $39,529 while room and board are $10,435.

St. Norbert has 2,132 undergraduates enrolled with 96 graduates. They have a student/faculty ratio of 13:1 with 30+ different majors or even designing one’s own major. 97% of freshmen receive financial aid.

Silver Lake College of the Holy Family has a family built on community, compassion, peacemaking, and reverence for creation. AP scores of 3 or higher are counted for credit. Tuition and fees start around $29,600 while room and board are $8,160.  

Silver Lake has 600 enrolled students with a student/faculty ratio of 7:1 Degrees offered include a bachelor of arts, music, science, nursing, education, and a master of science. 100% of freshmen receive financial aid.

Viterbo University, located in La Crosse, prepares students for success with most programs featuring internships, study abroad, service, and field research opportunities all while being nestled between bluffs and the Mississippi River. Tuition and fees start around $28,650 while room and board is $9,295. Credits are given for all AP and IB courses in high school.

At Viterbo, there are 1,700 undergraduates and 910 graduates enrolled with an 11:1 student/faculty ratio. Degrees offered include a bachelor of arts, business education, fine arts, music, science, science in education, and science in nursing. 99% of freshmen receive financial aid.

Wisconsin Lutheran College, located in Milwaukee, is a nationally ranked Christian college that delivers both academics and faith in your campus experience. Scores of 3, 4, or 5 on AP tests are taken as credits depending on the subject. Tuition and fees begin around $30,850 while room and board are $10,496.

Wisconsin Lutheran College has an enrollment of 1,200 students with a 12:1 student/faculty ratio. Degrees offered include a bachelor of arts, science, science in nursing, and a master of arts. 99% of all students received financial aid.

If a student is still undecided about where to go for college, it is highly recommended that one talks to a student or teacher from one of their intended campuses along with visiting that campus. 

For more information on Wisconsin colleges and more, the student center usually offers booklets with information about each individual college listed above. 

Most of the information above is credited towards the school year of 2018 – 2019 but is still relevant to today’s statistics of each college.