32 WI Colleges Among Best In Country, U.S. News Says
WISCONSIN — Thirty-two Wisconsin colleges were ranked among the top 100 in the country, according to new 2025 Best Colleges rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.
The rankings evaluated 1,500 colleges and universities using more than a dozen measures of academic quality, the digital media company said in a news release. This year in its rankings, U.S. News prioritized social mobility — that is, its record in enrolling and graduating students from all backgrounds with manageable debt — and post-graduate success, including earnings.
Here are the rankings for Wisconsin schools:
National Universities:
No. 39 — University of Wisconsin-Madison No. 86 — Marquette University No. 315 — Edgewood College No. 315 — University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee No. 329 — Concordia University (Wisconsin) No. 359 — University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
National Liberal Arts Colleges:
No. 69 — Lawrence University No. 60 — St. Norbert College No. 95 — Beloit College No. 236 — Ripon College
Regional Universities (Midwest):
No. 2 — Milwaukee School of Engineering No. 20 — University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire No. 28 — University of Wisconsin-La Crosse No. 32 — Carroll University No. 34 — University of Wisconsin-Whitewater No. 37 — Carthage College No. 41 — University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point No. 48 — University of Wisconsin-River Falls No. 60 (tied) — Mount Mary University No. 60 (tied) — University of Wisconsin-Platteville No. 64 — University of Wisconsin-Green Bay No. 67 — Alverno College No. 73 — Viterbo University No. 79 — University of Wisconsin-Stout No. 118 — University of Wisconsin-Parkside No. 124 (tied) — Marian University (WI) No. 124 (tied) — University of Wisconsin-Superior No. 131 — Maranatha Baptist University No. 138 — Lakeland University No. 149 — Herzing University
Regional Colleges (Midwest)
No. 16 — Wisconsin Lutheran College No. 32 — Northland College
Included in the 2025 report are specialized rankings such as the best value schools, most innovative colleges, top performers on social mobility and historically Black colleges and universities, as well as universities with the greatest commitment to undergraduate teaching. Other specialty rankings include programs that enhance student experiences, including first-year experiences, service learning, studying abroad and undergraduate research and creative projects.
The top national universities are:
- Princeton University in New Jersey
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Harvard University in Massachusetts
- Stanford University in California
- Yale University in Connecticut
The top national liberal arts colleges are:
- Williams College in Massachusetts
- Amherst College in Massachusetts
- Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania
- United States Naval Academy in Maryland
- Bowdoin College in Maine and Pomona College in California (tie)
