Each University of Wisconsin school offers a unique college experience. Which school is best at what?
DID YOU KNOW? There are roughly 4,000 4-year colleges and universities in the US, according to US News & World Report.
Today’s students are overwhelmed with options. Even once they’ve narrowed down their search to the University of Wisconsin, they still have 13 different campuses to choose between and dozens of factors to consider: cost, class size, majors, extra-curriculars, residence halls, dining facilities. This isn’t the application process we endured.
We decided to break down all 13 schools and share the most distinct opportunities offered at each. While this list could be helpful for any high school students considering a UW System school, it’s also a fun retrospective for Badger alumni and Wisconsin natives curious about how much the state’s esteemed public universities have grown!
Note: We sourced this information directly from each school’s own database. Information on the top 5 majors is from the US Department of Education.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Number of Undergrads: 35,184 (Fall 2022)
Campus Type: Urban
Top 5 Majors:
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Psychology
- Political Science and Government
- Biology
Average Class Size: 31 students
In-State Tuition: $10,722 (2022-23)
Out-of-State Tuition: $39,354 (2022-23)
Distinct Features:
- The 8th-ranked research institution in America, among all public and private universities.
- Part of the Big Ten–so game days are a pretty big deal.
- Offers a wide variety of class sizes–from lecture halls with more than 200 students to advanced study groups with less than 20.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Number of Undergrads: 17,360 (Fall 2022)
Campus Type: Urban
Top 5 Majors:
- Marketing
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Finance
- Information Science
Average Class Size: Less than 30 students
In-State Tuition: $10,020 (2023-24)
Out-of-State Tuition: $22,020 (2023-24)
Distinct Features:
- Offers the only schools of architecture, freshwater sciences, and public health in Wisconsin.
- Home to the state’s largest nursing program.
- The only school in the state to offer a Bachelor’s in ASL/English translation.
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Number of Undergrads: 6,823 (Fall 2020)
Campus Type: Suburban
Top 5 Majors:
- Business Administration and Management
- Psychology
- Nursing
- Human Biology
- Liberal Arts and Sciences
Average Class Size: 25 students
In-State Tuition: $7,190 (2023-24)
Out-of-State Tuition: $15,778 (2023-24)
Distinct Features:
- Multiple centers on campus dedicated to equity and inclusion, including a Pride Center for LGBTQ+ students, Mesa Center for multi-ethnic students, and Mauthe Center for students of different faiths.
- Some of the best residence halls in the UW System, including private suites with personal bathrooms and indoor walkways between buildings (perfect for cold Wisconsin winters.)
- Less than 15 minutes from Lambeau–ideal for Packers fans!
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Number of Undergrads: 9,379 (Fall 2022)
Campus Type: Urban
Top 5 Majors:
- Biology
- Psychology
- Kinesiology
- Finance
- Marketing
Average Class Size: 29 students
In-State Tuition: $9,773 (2023-24)
Out-of-State Tuition: $18,813 (2023-24)
Distinct Features:
- 80% of students participate in recreational sports.
- 27% of classes have less than 20 students, making this one of the UW’s best schools for one-on-one teaching.
- Has an on-campus child care center to support students with young kids.
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Number of Undergrads: 8,924 (Fall 2022)
Campus Type: Urban
Top 5 Majors:
- Business Administration and Management
- Psychology
- Nursing
- Marketing
- Finance
Average Class Size: 26 students
In-State Tuition: $8,875 (2021-22)
Out-of-State Tuition: $17,150 (2021-22)
Distinct Features:
- Ranked among the Best LGBTQIA+ Friendly Colleges in 2022 by Campus Pride.
- One of only three universities in the nation to have a collaborative research agreement with Mayo Clinic Health System.
- Located in one of the coolest small cities in the US, according to Thrillist.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Number of Undergrads: 9,375 (Fall 2022)
Campus Type: Suburban
Top 5 Majors:
- Finance
- Marketing
- Accounting
- Elementary Education and Teaching
- Communication
Average Class Size: 23 students
In-State Tuition: $8,250 (2023-24)
Out-of-State Tuition: $17,916 (2023-24)
Distinct Features:
- One of the most affordable campuses in the UW System.
- Named a “College of Distinction” for its business, education, and career development programs.
- Also distinguished for its commitment to equity and inclusion.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Number of Undergrads: 6,200 (Fall 2022)
Campus Type: Rural
Top 5 Majors:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Business Administration and Management
- Criminal Justice
- Civil Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Average Class Size: 25 students
In-State Tuition: $8,385 (2023-24)
Out-of-State Tuition: $17,344 (2023-24)
Distinct Features:
- Wisconsin’s #1 school for return on investment–meaning Platteville grads quickly earn back more than they spent on tuition.
- Offers unique specialty programs like Nanotechnology, Forensic Investigation, and Renewable Energy.
- One of the UW System’s most natural campuses.
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Number of Undergrads: 11,773 (Fall 2022)
Campus Type: Suburban
Top 5 Majors:
- Nursing
- Elementary Education and Teaching
- Biology
- Psychology
- Finance
Average Class Size: 25 students
In-State Tuition: $7,774 (2022-23)
Out-of-State Tuition: $15,348 (2022-23)
Distinct Features:
- Strong focus on research.
- Nationally ranked for its sustainability efforts.
- Just a 15 minute walk from one side of campus to the other!
University of Wisconsin-Superior
Number of Undergrads: 2,206 (Fall 2022)
Campus Type: Suburban
Top 5 Majors:
- Elementary Education and Teaching
- Business Administration and Management
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Physical Education
- Biology
Average Class Size: 16 students
In-State Tuition: $8,486 (2023-24)
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,400 (2023-24)
Distinct Features:
- Home to 4 world-class research centers.
- Less than 2 miles from Lake Superior, the largest Great Lake.
- Offers unique programs in Art Therapy and Transportation & Logistics Management.
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Number of Undergrads: 5,410 (Fall 2021)
Campus Type: Suburban
Top 5 Majors:
- Business Administration and Management
- Animal Sciences
- Elementary Education and Teaching
- Psychology
- Biology
Average Class Size: 22 students
In-State Tuition: $8,606 (2023-24)
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,888 (2023-24)
Distinct Features:
- Ranked #1 in the UW System for percent of students who study abroad (2019-20).
- Named a “Best College” for intramural sports by BestColleges.com.
- A proud affiliate with Bee Campus USA, a program dedicated to pollinator conservation.
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Number of Undergrads: 6,246 (Fall 2022)
Campus Type: Rural
Top 5 Majors:
- Business Administration
- Operations Management and Supervision
- Mechanical Engineering
- Human Development and Family Studies
- Hospitality Administration/Management
Average Class Size: 22 students
In-State Tuition: $7,014 (2022-23)
Out-of-State Tuition: $15,281 (2022-23)
Distinct Features:
- Known as Wisconsin’s “polytechnic” university that specializes in hands-on learning opportunities.
- Great for STEM students.
- Offers several degree programs that are 100% online.
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Number of Undergrads: 7,278 (Fall 2021)
Campus Type: Rural
Top 5 Majors:
- Business Administration and Management
- Biology
- Sociology
- Communication
- Psychology
Average Class Size: 25 students
In-State Tuition: $8,368 (2021-22)
Out-of-State Tuition: $17,035 (2021-22)
Distinct Features:
- Most grads begin careers in K-12 education, healthcare, and government.
- Ranked by US News and World as one of the top public universities in the Midwest.
- Three separate campuses: Stevens Point, Marshfield, and Wausau.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Number of Undergrads: 2,394 (Fall 2022)
Campus Type: Suburban
Top 5 Majors:
- Business Administration and Management
- Psychology
- Criminal Justice
- Biology
- Accounting
Average Class Size: 19 students
In-State Tuition: $7,854 (2023-24)
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,496 (2023-24)
Distinct Features:
- The #1 criminal justice program in Wisconsin.
- Halfway between two major cities–Milwaukee and Chicago–and two train lines for easy transportation.
- Offers an award-winning theater program.
CURRENT RANKINGS: US News & World Report’s Best Colleges in America
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