Wisconsin College Tuition Trends from 2015 to 2025

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Tuition trends by school type and level for Wisconsin colleges

There are 49 four-year colleges and universities in Wisconsin—17 public institutions and 32 private institutions. This page summarizes average tuition & fees and how costs have changed over time based on the latest available IPEDS data.

Undergraduate Tuition Trends

Public colleges: In 2025, average in-state tuition & fees are $8,631, while out-of-state tuition & fees are $17,006. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 3.69% and out-of-state costs changed by 2.89%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 11.50% (in-state) and 12.15% (out-of-state).

Private colleges: The average tuition & fees are $33,218 in 2025. That is a 3.99% change from last year and 35.39% cumulative growth since 2015.

Graduate Tuition Trends

Public graduate schools: In 2025, average in-state graduate tuition & fees are $10,060, while out-of-state graduate tuition & fees are $19,431. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 3.83% and out-of-state costs changed by 2.62%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 14.17% (in-state) and 8.92% (out-of-state).

Private graduate schools: The average graduate tuition & fees are $16,464 in 2025. That is a -1.20% change from last year and 10.40% cumulative growth since 2015.

Public vs. private comparison (increase rates): In 2025, private undergraduate tuition changed by 3.99% year-over-year. Public undergraduate in-state changed by 3.69% (lower by 0.30 percentage points vs. private), and public out-of-state changed by 2.89% (lower by 1.10 percentage points vs. private). Over the full period since 2015, private undergraduate tuition grew by 35.39%, compared with public in-state 11.50% (lower by 23.88 percentage points vs. private) and public out-of-state 12.15% (lower by 23.23 percentage points vs. private).

Graduate comparison: In 2025, private graduate tuition changed by -1.20% year-over-year. Public graduate in-state changed by 3.83% (higher by 5.03 percentage points vs. private), and public graduate out-of-state changed by 2.62% (higher by 3.82 percentage points vs. private). Since 2015, private graduate tuition grew by 10.40%, compared with public graduate in-state 14.17% (higher by 3.76 percentage points vs. private) and public graduate out-of-state 8.92% (lower by 1.48 percentage points vs. private).

COA Trends

Undergraduate cost of attendance change by school type (tuition & fees + room & board): In 2025, estimated on-campus COA is $23,216 (public in-state), $31,591 (public out-of-state), and $47,803 (private). Year-over-year, on-campus COA changed by 3.78%, 3.32%, and 3.94%, respectively. Since 2015, cumulative on-campus COA growth is 26.05% (public in-state), 22.25% (public out-of-state), and 35.75% (private).

Off-campus COA: In 2025, estimated off-campus COA is $23,141 (public in-state), $31,516 (public out-of-state), and $47,728 (private). Year-over-year, off-campus COA changed by 2.88%, 2.67%, and 3.50%. Since 2015, cumulative off-campus COA growth is 22.38% (public in-state), 19.69% (public out-of-state), and 33.68% (private).

Tuition & Fees Trends of Wisconsin Colleges from 2015 to 2025

The tables and charts below show how average college tuition and fees have changed in Wisconsin from 2015 through 2025.

All figures are based on the latest available IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) data published by the U.S. Department of Education. To keep the comparisons consistent, these averages reflect 4-year colleges and universities in Wisconsin and exclude most community colleges and trade schools due to differences in reporting and availability.

Under. (Public) Under. (Private) Graduate (Public) Graduate (Private)
For Wisconsin public schools, the 2025 undergraduate in-state tuition & fees are $8,631 which has increased by 11.50% over the current decade and the out-of-state cost is $17,006 which has risen by 12.15%. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 1.22% while last year increase rate was 2.89%.
Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Wisconsin Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
In-State Costs$7,795$7,887$7,781$7,811$7,825$7,840$7,873$7,994$8,324$8,631
Year-to-Year Rates0.70%1.17%-1.34%0.39%0.18%0.19%0.42%1.54%4.13%3.69%
Cumulative Rates0.70%1.89%0.52%0.91%1.09%1.28%1.71%3.27%7.53%11.50%
Out-of-State Costs$15,601$15,978$15,153$15,328$15,489$15,605$15,679$15,932$16,528$17,006
Year-to-Year Rates2.89%2.42%-5.17%1.16%1.04%0.75%0.47%1.61%3.74%2.89%
Cumulative Rates2.89%5.37%-0.07%1.09%2.14%2.91%3.40%5.07%9.00%12.15%
For private schools in Wisconsin state, the 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees are $33,218 which has increased by 35.39% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 3.54% while last year increase rate was 3.99%.
Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Wisconsin Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
Tuition & Fees$25,130$26,382$27,301$28,049$28,923$29,376$29,983$30,601$31,943$33,218
Year-to-Year Rates2.42%4.98%3.48%2.74%3.11%1.57%2.07%2.06%4.39%3.99%
Cumulative Rates2.42%7.52%11.27%14.32%17.88%19.73%22.20%24.72%30.19%35.39%
The average graduate school tuition & fees of Wisconsin public schools are $10,060 which has increased by 14.17% over the current decade and the out-of-state graduate cost is $19,431 which has risen by 8.92%. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 0.89% while last year increase rate was 2.62%.
Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Wisconsin Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
In-State Costs$8,929$9,050$8,973$9,011$9,305$9,348$9,410$9,414$9,689$10,060
Year-to-Year Rates1.34%1.35%-0.85%0.42%3.27%0.45%0.67%0.05%2.92%3.83%
Cumulative Rates1.34%2.71%1.83%2.26%5.61%6.09%6.79%6.84%9.96%14.17%
Out-of-State Costs$18,085$18,270$17,622$17,716$18,749$18,833$18,926$18,384$18,935$19,431
Year-to-Year Rates1.38%1.02%-3.55%0.53%5.83%0.45%0.49%-2.86%3.00%2.62%
Cumulative Rates1.38%2.41%-1.22%-0.69%5.10%5.57%6.09%3.05%6.14%8.92%
For private graduate schools in Wisconsin state, the 2025 tuition & fees are $16,464 which has increased by 10.40% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 1.04015% while last year increase rate was -1.20%.
Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Wisconsin Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
Tuition & Fees$14,746$15,072$15,610$15,882$16,333$16,256$16,270$16,509$16,664$16,464
Year-to-Year Rates-1.12%2.21%3.57%1.74%2.84%-0.47%0.08%1.47%0.94%-1.20%
Cumulative Rates-1.12%1.07%4.68%6.50%9.52%9.01%9.10%10.71%11.75%10.40%
You can check the changes of other college costs including room & board costs, book & supplies, and other living expenses at Wisconsin college cost trends.