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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:
- Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
- 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.
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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
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
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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
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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
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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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