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US News and World Report releases list of best Wisconsin colleges and universities for 2025
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U.S. News and World Report recently released its much-anticipated college rankings for 2025, and 10 Wisconsin colleges and universities made the national lists.
Now in their 40th year, U.S. News’ rankings take into account aspects of a college education that students value, including academic reputation, attendance costs, campus facilities and resources, and graduate debt and starting salaries. The rankings also factor in academic program offerings, clubs and activities, diversity and on-campus social culture.
Here’s how Wisconsin’s top colleges measured up:
US News’ Best National Universities in Wisconsin for 2025
U.S. News ranked nearly 1,500 colleges and universities in total, including 436 classified as National Universities, which it defined as research-producing institutions with a “full range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s and doctoral programs.”
Six Wisconsin schools ranked among U.S. News’ top National Universities:
- No. 39: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison
- No. 86: Marquette University, Milwaukee
- No. 315 (tie): Edgewood College, Madison
- No. 315 (tie): University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee
- No. 329: Concordia University, Mequon
- No. 359: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Oshkosh
MORE: U.S. News’ complete National Universities rankings
US News’ Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Wisconsin 2025
U.S. News also ranked the best National Liberal Arts Colleges in the country. The publication defined National Liberal Arts Colleges as those that “emphasize undergraduate education and award at least half of their degrees in the liberal arts fields of study.” The list includes 211 schools.
Four Wisconsin schools ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in the country:
- No. 69: Lawrence University, Appleton
- No. 90: St. Norbert College, De Pere
- No. 95: Beloit College, Beloit
- No. 136: Ripon College, Ripon
MORE: U.S. News’ complete “National Liberal Arts Colleges” rankings
US News’ Best Regional Midwestern universities in Wisconsin for 2025
U.S. News also ranked the Best Regional Universities in the North, South, Midwest and West regions of the United States. Regional Universities were defined as those that offer “a full range of undergraduate programs and some master’s programs but few doctoral programs.”
Numerous Wisconsin schools ranked among the 165 Best Regional Universities in the Midwest:
- No. 2: Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee
- No. 20: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire
- No. 28: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse
- No. 32: Carroll University, Waukesha
- No. 34: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater
- No. 37: Carthage College, Kenosha
- No. 41: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point
- No. 48: University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls
- No. 60 (tie): Mount Mary University, Milwaukee
- No. 60 (tie): University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Platteville
- No. 64: University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Green Bay
- No. 67: Alverno College, Milwaukee
- No. 73: Viterbo University, La Crosse
- No. 79: University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie
- No. 118: University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha
- No. 124 (tie): Marian University, Fond du Lac
- No. 124 (tie): University of Wisconsin-Superior, Superior
- No. 131: Maranatha Baptist University, Watertown
- No. 138: Lakeland University, Plymouth
- No. 149-164: Herzing University, Madison
MORE: U.S. News’ complete rankings of the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest
Wisconsin universities and colleges ranked in other US News lists
These were the top Wisconsin schools in other U.S. News rankings:
- Best Value School: Marquette is ranked 51st
- Top Public School: UW-Madison is ranked tied for 13th
- Best Regional Colleges Midwest: Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee is ranked 16th
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