Wisconsin Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Wisconsin College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Wisconsin institutions.
Top Wisconsin Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Public 4-yr | $11,606 | $42,104 | 36,500 |
| UW-Milwaukee | Public 4-yr | $10,000 | $21,558 | 21,500 |
| UW-Eau Claire | Public 4-yr | $9,700 | $18,076 | 10,500 |
| UW-La Crosse | Public 4-yr | $9,600 | $17,900 | 10,300 |
| UW-Stevens Point | Public 4-yr | $9,232 | $17,600 | 8,200 |
| UW-Oshkosh | Public 4-yr | $8,300 | $16,200 | 13,000 |
| Marquette University | Private | $50,750 | $50,750 | 7,700 |
| Lawrence University | Private | $58,800 | $58,800 | 1,400 |
| Madison College (MATC) | Community | $4,500 | $6,900 | 23,000 |
Wisconsin State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB).
Wisconsin Grant
Need-based grant for WI residents at eligible WI public, private nonprofit, technical, or tribal colleges.
Wisconsin Covenant Scholars Grant
For WI residents who signed the Covenant Pledge in 8th grade and met academic criteria.
Talent Incentive Program (TIP)
For WI residents who are first-generation college students and meet need criteria.
Wisconsin Indian Student Assistance
Grants for WI residents enrolled in tribal programs attending WI schools.
Advance Wisconsin Career Credits
Free credits at WI technical colleges for high-demand career programs.
Wisconsin State-Funded Aid Programs
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Wisconsin have a state student loan program?
No. Wisconsin does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Wisconsin residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Wisconsin state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
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Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Wisconsin students and families.
How much does college cost in Wisconsin?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Wisconsin public four-year universities is about $10,000 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $24,500 on campus for Wisconsin residents and $38,500 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $33,400. Total outstanding federal student debt for Wisconsin residents is approximately $25.0 billion.
Does Wisconsin offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. Wisconsin administers the WI Grant (need-based, up to $3,150), Covenant Scholars Grant, TIP for first-gen students, WI Indian Student Assistance, and Advance Wisconsin career credits.
Does Wisconsin have a state student loan program?
No. Wisconsin does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Wisconsin residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Wisconsin colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
WI Technical Colleges average $4,500 per year. UW-Oshkosh is lowest among four-year publics at $8,300, followed by UW-Stevens Point. UW-Madison is the highest in-state rate at $11,606.
What scholarships are available for Wisconsin residents?
Key awards include WI Grant, Covenant Scholars, TIP, WI Indian Student Assistance, and Advance Wisconsin. Marquette and Lawrence offer strong institutional aid.
Related Wisconsin Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Wisconsin public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- WI HEAB program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Colin Graves Reviewed by: Chris Muller