UW-Madison Ranks No. 11 for Public School Value
Wisconsin families comparing in-state public colleges can use the ranking alongside their own aid offers and total costs.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Financial Aid
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The Princeton Review's 2027 rankings place the University of Wisconsin-Madison No. 11 for best value among public schools and No. 5 among public schools for financial aid. The rankings were released November 3, 2026.
Why it matters
Best value rankings weigh return on investment, which factors in academics, financial aid and college costs, so a higher placement signals how much a degree may be worth relative to what students pay. For Wisconsin families weighing in-state public options, the ranking adds one more data point when comparing aid packages and total cost.
UW-Madison's best value rank rose from No. 17 to No. 11 among public schools since June 2025, and its financial aid rank rose from No. 7 to No. 5. In 2024-25, about 57% of undergraduates received aid, including close to $129 million in scholarships.
The players
The Princeton Review
A college guide publisher whose annual rankings, including Best Value Colleges, are widely used by prospective students and families comparing schools.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
A large public research university in Madison, Wisconsin, and the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System.
The details
The Princeton Review builds its best value list from return-on-investment measures that combine academic quality, financial aid, and college costs, then ranks schools within the public category. It considered 650 schools to select 209 Best Value Colleges for 2027. Separate rankings for alumni networks, career placement and student-reported impact also place UW-Madison among the top public schools, with career placement ranking No. 16 and alumni networks No. 14.
Timeline
June 2025: Previous Princeton Review rankings were published, the baseline for the six-spot rise.
2024-25: Nearly 57% of undergraduates received financial aid, including about $129 million in scholarships.
March 2026: First Destination Survey results showed 91% of bachelor's graduates said UW-Madison prepared them for their career path.
November 3, 2026: Princeton Review released its 2027 rankings.
Education Landscape
Public universities are often compared on value because in-state tuition and aid packages vary widely across states. UW-Madison's upward movement in the Princeton Review's series reflects how that comparison shifts from one ranking cycle to the next.
Students comparing in-state public schools may want to look at aid offers alongside cost, since the ranking reflects return on investment rather than tuition alone. Questions about your own aid package are best directed to UW-Madison's financial aid office.
The takeaway
A strong best-value placement reflects how aid, academics and cost combine, so the ranking is most useful alongside a school's own net-price estimate. Students can request a personalized aid estimate from the university's financial aid office before making decisions.
Further reading
For a broader view of how aid packages are structured, see Financial Aid guidance for Wisconsin students.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wisconsin State Journal.
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