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Net Price of Wisconsin Colleges by Income

Cost of Wisconsin Colleges Zoom In

Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2023

Questions & Answers

What do all these numbers mean?

All costs shown here are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket for one year at the college in question. Net cost is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Figures are based on data from the 2020-21 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2023.

What is “Total Cost” on the chart?

Total cost is the total cost of attendance for one year at that particular college. It includes:

  • Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
  • Room and board (on campus)
  • Books and supplies
  • Other expenses (travel and personal)

There are detailed chart below for each school that shows these expenses. Click here to go to the individual cost breakdown for schools.

How can I use this information?

This information is useful for building a realistic college budget. It's a good place to start until you better understand your specific circumstances. For example, let's say your income is $100,000 per year. This chart shows that the average state school would run $17,442 and the average private school would be $23,402. You can also get information on specific Wisconsin schools in the chart above or the tables below.

Will my family pay the amount on this chart?

Probably not. The numbers are averages. You may be below average or above average. However, there are two key points we can learn from this data:

  1. Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
  2. Private colleges have a higher list price but offer more discounts. This brings their net price much closer to the cost of state-funded schools.

College Planning Websites for Wisconsin Parents

Great websites for scholarships, grants, forgivable loans, and tax breaks for Wisconsin residents. Get The Free List Here!

Where did this information come from?

As part of federal financial aid, colleges are required to provide detailed cost information to the U.S. government. This data is made available to the public through the National Center for Education Statistics. For more details, click here.

What about athletes, merit aid or minority students?

Athletes, high achieving students, and those with minority status are averaged in with everyone else. Within each income bracket, there are families that pay more than average and families that pay less than average.

The costs on this chart seem large. How can families afford to pay it?

For many families paying for college is not easy, but in the end they figure out. Most families will pay their net cost of college with some combination of:

  • College savings and investments
  • Payments from current income
  • Loans
  • Outside scholarships (check out the Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents to learn how your student can win scholarships)
  • Tax planning
  • Student work
Cost of Wisconsin Schools Explanation

Net Price:

Net prices is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus the average amount in government grants and institutional scholarships the school awards. This is an average, so you may pay above the average or below the average. Your exact net price is likely to be different and sometimes drastically different.

Most families will pay the net price with some combination of savings and investments, current income and various loans. Some students will also receive scholarships from sources other than the federal or state government or the college. Any scholarships and grants from these outside sources are not included in the data. However, government grants and institutional scholarships are included in the averages.

Total Cost at University of Wisconsin-Madison (2020-21)
Tuition and Fees $10,742
Room and Board $12,200
Books $1,150
Other Expenses $3,066
Total $27,158

Total Cost:

Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2020-21 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2023. Total costs include:

  • Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
  • Room and board (on campus)
  • Books and supplies
  • Other expenses (travel and personal)

College Total Cost
Family Income WI Public $20,553 WI Private $50,276
$0 - $30k $8,817 $17,378
$30,001 – $48k $9,946 $18,013
$48,001 – $75k $13,443 $20,452
$75,001 – $110k $17,442 $23,402
$110,001+ $18,614 $27,936

Public vs. Private Averages

This table shows the average total cost of attendance for the Wisconsin public and private colleges we have included in our analysis. The costs include a breakdown of the average net price paid by family income. Notice that the average private college is $6,000-$10,000 more than the average public school, depending on your income bracket. It is important to stress that these are averages. Most families will not be average, and their individual circumstances could be drastically different. I encourage all families to work with their preferred colleges to get information specific to their family.

Below are similar charts for each individual private and public college in Wisconsin. Click a school to view its complete chart.

Public WI Schools Cost Breakdown

  • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

    Whitewater
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $7,735 $7,730
    Room and Board $7,650 $7,750
    Books $580 $580
    Other Expenses $3,150 $3,160
    Total $19,115 $19,220
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $9,267 $9,318
    $30,001 - $48k $10,289 $10,346
    $48,001 - $75k $14,320 $14,399
    $75,001 - $110k $17,307 $17,402
    $110,001+ $18,076 $18,175
  • University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

    Eau Claire
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,870 $8,874
    Room and Board $8,475 $8,572
    Books $400 $400
    Other Expenses $3,366 $3,366
    Total $21,111 $21,212
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $10,871 $10,923
    $30,001 - $48k $11,528 $11,583
    $48,001 - $75k $15,397 $15,471
    $75,001 - $110k $19,020 $19,111
    $110,001+ $19,988 $20,084
  • University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

    Green Bay
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $7,873 $7,873
    Room and Board $7,280 $7,392
    Books $800 $800
    Other Expenses $3,770 $3,824
    Total $19,723 $19,889
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $9,403 $9,482
    $30,001 - $48k $11,361 $11,457
    $48,001 - $75k $13,614 $13,729
    $75,001 - $110k $16,356 $16,494
    $110,001+ $16,911 $17,053
  • University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

    La Crosse
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $9,160 $9,195
    Room and Board $6,594 $6,770
    Books $120 $120
    Other Expenses $2,028 $2,028
    Total $17,902 $18,113
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $7,924 $8,017
    $30,001 - $48k $9,118 $9,225
    $48,001 - $75k $13,042 $13,196
    $75,001 - $110k $16,521 $16,716
    $110,001+ $17,227 $17,430
  • University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

    Oshkosh
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $7,717 $7,733
    Room and Board $8,506 $8,758
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $2,700 $2,700
    Total $19,923 $20,191
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $9,955 $10,089
    $30,001 - $48k $10,451 $10,592
    $48,001 - $75k $13,820 $14,006
    $75,001 - $110k $17,299 $17,532
    $110,001+ $18,104 $18,348
  • University of Wisconsin-Parkside

    Kenosha
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $7,444 $7,444
    Room and Board $7,726 $7,826
    Books $600 $600
    Other Expenses $4,114 $4,003
    Total $19,884 $19,873
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $7,209 $7,205
    $30,001 - $48k $8,337 $8,332
    $48,001 - $75k $11,811 $11,804
    $75,001 - $110k $15,864 $15,855
    $110,001+ $16,240 $16,231
  • University of Wisconsin-Stout

    Menomonie
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $9,488 $9,553
    Room and Board $7,398 $7,452
    Books $426 $432
    Other Expenses $3,310 $3,336
    Total $20,622 $20,773
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $10,207 $10,282
    $30,001 - $48k $11,699 $11,785
    $48,001 - $75k $15,610 $15,724
    $75,001 - $110k $18,794 $18,932
    $110,001+ $19,111 $19,251
  • University of Wisconsin-Superior

    Superior
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,140 $8,155
    Room and Board $7,025 $6,912
    Books $970 $1,000
    Other Expenses $3,753 $3,673
    Total $19,888 $19,740
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $9,089 $9,021
    $30,001 - $48k $9,532 $9,461
    $48,001 - $75k $11,166 $11,083
    $75,001 - $110k $13,813 $13,710
    $110,001+ $16,991 $16,865
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison

    Madison
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $10,742 $10,720
    Room and Board $12,200 $12,548
    Books $1,150 $1,150
    Other Expenses $3,066 $3,000
    Total $27,158 $27,418
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $3,753 $3,789
    $30,001 - $48k $4,697 $4,742
    $48,001 - $75k $9,844 $9,938
    $75,001 - $110k $21,706 $21,914
    $110,001+ $26,048 $26,297
  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

    Milwaukee
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $9,254 $9,610
    Room and Board $10,692 $10,732
    Books $800 $800
    Other Expenses $3,484 $3,472
    Total $24,230 $24,614
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $11,108 $11,284
    $30,001 - $48k $11,904 $12,093
    $48,001 - $75k $15,418 $15,662
    $75,001 - $110k $19,393 $19,700
    $110,001+ $20,040 $20,358
  • University of Wisconsin-Platteville

    Platteville
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $7,873 $7,844
    Room and Board $7,770 $8,071
    Books $200 $200
    Other Expenses $3,594 $4,659
    Total $19,437 $20,774
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $8,569 $9,158
    $30,001 - $48k $10,182 $10,882
    $48,001 - $75k $12,934 $13,824
    $75,001 - $110k $16,946 $18,112
    $110,001+ $17,953 $19,188
  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls

    River Falls
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,063 $8,088
    Room and Board $6,900 $7,108
    Books $400 $400
    Other Expenses $3,300 $3,300
    Total $18,663 $18,896
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $8,285 $8,388
    $30,001 - $48k $10,031 $10,156
    $48,001 - $75k $13,745 $13,917
    $75,001 - $110k $16,474 $16,680
    $110,001+ $16,968 $17,180
  • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

    Stevens Point
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $8,300 $8,331
    Room and Board $7,630 $7,640
    Books $300 $250
    Other Expenses $3,306 $3,092
    Total $19,536 $19,313
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $8,987 $8,884
    $30,001 - $48k $10,173 $10,057
    $48,001 - $75k $14,044 $13,884
    $75,001 - $110k $17,258 $17,061
    $110,001+ $18,322 $18,113

Private WI Schools Cost Breakdown

  • Alverno College

    Milwaukee
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $30,658 $31,258
    Room and Board $8,770 $8,770
    Books $768 $768
    Other Expenses $5,020 $5,668
    Total $45,216 $46,464
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $16,173 $16,619
    $30,001 - $48k $16,182 $16,629
    $48,001 - $75k $18,319 $18,825
    $75,001 - $110k $20,226 $20,784
    $110,001+ $24,222 $24,891
  • Beloit College

    Beloit
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $53,348 $54,680
    Room and Board $9,688 $10,028
    Books $1,018 $1,032
    Other Expenses $1,376 $1,396
    Total $65,430 $67,136
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,503 $12,829
    $30,001 - $48k $14,157 $14,526
    $48,001 - $75k $15,096 $15,490
    $75,001 - $110k $18,833 $19,324
    $110,001+ $24,066 $24,693
  • Cardinal Stritch University

    Milwaukee
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $33,770 $34,762
    Room and Board $9,488 $9,766
    Books $700 $900
    Other Expenses $4,992 $4,992
    Total $48,950 $50,420
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $17,966 $18,506
    $30,001 - $48k $13,424 $13,827
    $48,001 - $75k $18,894 $19,461
    $75,001 - $110k $18,718 $19,280
    $110,001+ $20,585 $21,203
  • Carroll University

    Waukesha
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $34,010 $35,140
    Room and Board $10,550 $11,690
    Books $1,140 $1,144
    Other Expenses $2,534 $2,544
    Total $48,234 $50,518
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $19,805 $20,743
    $30,001 - $48k $18,890 $19,784
    $48,001 - $75k $21,839 $22,873
    $75,001 - $110k $24,476 $25,635
    $110,001+ $26,388 $27,638
  • Carthage College

    Kenosha
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $31,500 $33,000
    Room and Board $12,400 $12,400
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $2,500 $2,400
    Total $47,600 $49,000
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $21,735 $22,374
    $30,001 - $48k $22,551 $23,214
    $48,001 - $75k $26,193 $26,963
    $75,001 - $110k $27,048 $27,844
    $110,001+ $28,963 $29,815
  • Concordia University-Wisconsin

    Mequon
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $31,182 $31,952
    Room and Board $11,470 $11,750
    Books $1,900 $1,900
    Other Expenses $2,900 $2,900
    Total $47,452 $48,502
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $17,540 $17,928
    $30,001 - $48k $18,427 $18,835
    $48,001 - $75k $23,552 $24,073
    $75,001 - $110k $25,969 $26,544
    $110,001+ $28,755 $29,391
  • Edgewood College

    Madison
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $31,700 $32,600
    Room and Board $11,700 $12,050
    Books $800 $800
    Other Expenses $2,912 $2,980
    Total $47,112 $48,430
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $20,795 $21,377
    $30,001 - $48k $23,238 $23,888
    $48,001 - $75k $24,749 $25,441
    $75,001 - $110k $28,426 $29,221
    $110,001+ $29,726 $30,558
  • Lakeland University

    Plymouth
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $30,777 $31,316
    Room and Board $9,634 $10,692
    Books $1,100 $1,100
    Other Expenses $3,948 $3,720
    Total $45,459 $46,828
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $18,810 $19,376
    $30,001 - $48k $17,443 $17,968
    $48,001 - $75k $20,544 $21,163
    $75,001 - $110k $21,028 $21,661
    $110,001+ $25,452 $26,218
  • Lawrence University

    Appleton
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $50,958 $52,401
    Room and Board $10,977 $11,184
    Books $900 $900
    Other Expenses $1,425 $1,425
    Total $64,260 $65,910
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,644 $12,969
    $30,001 - $48k $15,062 $15,449
    $48,001 - $75k $15,274 $15,666
    $75,001 - $110k $20,887 $21,423
    $110,001+ $28,882 $29,624
  • Maranatha Baptist University

    Watertown
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $17,650 $18,050
    Room and Board $7,750 $7,980
    Books $1,350 $1,380
    Other Expenses $2,940 $3,000
    Total $29,690 $30,410
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $18,701 $19,155
    $30,001 - $48k $17,680 $18,109
    $48,001 - $75k $20,222 $20,712
    $75,001 - $110k $21,597 $22,121
    $110,001+ $23,645 $24,218
  • Marian University

    Fond Du Lac
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $28,560 $29,130
    Room and Board $7,810 $7,920
    Books $800 $800
    Other Expenses $3,100 $3,100
    Total $40,270 $40,950
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $16,917 $17,203
    $30,001 - $48k $17,663 $17,961
    $48,001 - $75k $17,787 $18,087
    $75,001 - $110k $21,829 $22,198
    $110,001+ $25,287 $25,714
  • Marquette University

    Milwaukee
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $45,666 $45,766
    Room and Board $13,656 $14,140
    Books $816 $816
    Other Expenses $2,550 $2,540
    Total $62,688 $63,262
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $16,410 $16,560
    $30,001 - $48k $17,219 $17,377
    $48,001 - $75k $22,317 $22,521
    $75,001 - $110k $28,638 $28,900
    $110,001+ $37,179 $37,519
  • Milwaukee School of Engineering

    Milwaukee
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $43,575 $45,099
    Room and Board $10,479 $12,047
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $1,810 $1,810
    Total $56,864 $59,956
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $15,033 $15,850
    $30,001 - $48k $19,174 $20,217
    $48,001 - $75k $17,842 $18,812
    $75,001 - $110k $22,568 $23,795
    $110,001+ $30,175 $31,816
  • Mount Mary University

    Milwaukee
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $32,790 $32,760
    Room and Board $9,180 $9,640
    Books $1,400 $1,400
    Other Expenses $6,432 $6,432
    Total $49,802 $50,232
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $21,117 $21,299
    $30,001 - $48k $25,185 $25,402
    $48,001 - $75k $23,202 $23,402
    $75,001 - $110k $26,775 $27,006
    $110,001+ $29,268 $29,521
  • Northland College

    Ashland
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $38,596 $39,894
    Room and Board $9,688 $9,688
    Books $800 $800
    Other Expenses $2,650 $2,650
    Total $51,734 $53,032
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,754 $15,124
    $30,001 - $48k $16,507 $16,921
    $48,001 - $75k $21,417 $21,954
    $75,001 - $110k $21,956 $22,507
    $110,001+ $22,441 $23,004
  • Ripon College

    Ripon
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $47,123 $48,100
    Room and Board $8,653 $9,090
    Books $750 $750
    Other Expenses $1,600 $1,600
    Total $58,126 $59,540
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $13,130 $13,449
    $30,001 - $48k $12,805 $13,117
    $48,001 - $75k $15,359 $15,733
    $75,001 - $110k $19,088 $19,552
    $110,001+ $25,040 $25,649
  • Saint Norbert College

    De Pere
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $40,885 $41,887
    Room and Board $10,885 $11,682
    Books $950 $950
    Other Expenses $1,100 $1,100
    Total $53,820 $55,619
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $18,330 $18,943
    $30,001 - $48k $18,943 $19,576
    $48,001 - $75k $22,788 $23,550
    $75,001 - $110k $24,118 $24,924
    $110,001+ $30,934 $31,968
  • Viterbo University

    La Crosse
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $29,350 $29,920
    Room and Board $9,670 $9,865
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $2,500 $2,500
    Total $42,520 $43,285
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $13,229 $13,467
    $30,001 - $48k $11,837 $12,050
    $48,001 - $75k $13,466 $13,708
    $75,001 - $110k $19,982 $20,342
    $110,001+ $24,478 $24,918
  • Wisconsin Lutheran College

    Milwaukee
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $31,754 $32,766
    Room and Board $10,730 $11,050
    Books $800 $800
    Other Expenses $2,378 $2,424
    Total $45,662 $47,040
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $13,755 $14,170
    $30,001 - $48k $15,957 $16,439
    $48,001 - $75k $15,777 $16,253
    $75,001 - $110k $20,295 $20,907
    $110,001+ $26,620 $27,423
 

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