WIsconsin's Private Colleges

Description: The Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU) is the official organization of the 22 independent (or private) nonprofit institutions of higher learning in Wisconsin. WAICU members collectively enroll more than 52,000 students and offer over 470 academic programs; most are direct-admit with an average class size of 17 students.  WAICU members produce 24 percent of all the bachelor’s degrees and 34 percent of all the advanced degrees awarded in Wisconsin. 

• Population (undergraduate): WAICU members collectively enroll more than 37,500 undergraduate students

• Population (graduate): WAICU members collectively enroll nearly 14,500 graduate students

• Average high school GPA: Wisconsin private, nonprofit college average high school GPAs of admitted students be found here: https://www.wisconsinsprivatecolleges.org/getting/act-scores-and-gpa

• Average high school ACT: Wisconsin private, nonprofit college average ACT scores can be found here: https://www.wisconsinsprivatecolleges.org/getting/act-scores-and-gpa

• Average high school SAT: Wisconsin private, nonprofit college average SAT scores can be found here: https://www.wisconsinsprivatecolleges.org/getting/act-scores-and-gpa

• Minority: 30% of Wisconsin private nonprofit undergraduate students are students of color and 29% of students are considered low income (Pell grant eligible)

• 6-year graduation rate: The 4-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time students who began and stayed at a private, nonprofit college or university is 40% higher than the rate for students on public university campuses.

• Student to professor ratio: The average class size in Wisconsin’s private nonprofit colleges and universities is just 16 students and the student/faculty ratio is under 12:1.

• Approximate cost: The average price for undergraduate tuition and fees at WAICU-member colleges or universities during 2020-2021 was $35,317. The average freshman financial aid package was $30,549. leaving net tuition costs of just $4,767. 

• Average financial aid package: 95% of full-time degree-seeking undergraduates at private nonprofit colleges and universities in Wisconsin receive financial aid. 91% of undergraduates at WAICU institutions receive grants and scholarships. Grants, which do not have to be paid back, make up over 77% of the average financial aid package.

Popular majors: For quick facts on each college and a list of majors, visit https://www.wisconsinsprivatecolleges.org/find

New & improved: To view individual college snapshots and learn more about Wisconsin Private Colleges, visit https://www.wisconsinsprivatecolleges.org/student-resources

What makes us special: The smaller size of Wisconsin’s private, nonprofit colleges and universities allows them to be very student-focused. These institutions offer small class sizes, individual attention from professors, extensive opportunities for leadership in and out of the classroom, opportunities for study abroad, career and placement assistance, generous financial aid, and a greater chance of graduating in four years compared to the public universities in Wisconsin. 

Visit us at: www.wisconsinsprivatecolleges.org