UW–Madison ranked No. 11 for ‘best value’ among public schools

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has again been named by the Princeton Review as one of 209 “Best Value Colleges” in the nation, including being ranked at No. 5 among the Top 20 Best Schools for Financial Aid among public schools.

The publication’s newly released 2027 rankings place UW–Madison at No. 11 for best value among public schools based on measurement of return on investment, which factors in academics, financial aid and college costs.

UW–Madison was also ranked among the nation’s top 20 in the categories of “Best Alumni Networks,” “Schools Making an Impact,” “Best Career Placement” and “Best Value Colleges for Students with No Demonstrated Need.”

“This ranking reflects our deep commitment to life-changing research and providing a world-class education and exceptional college experience while ensuring that our students and their families can afford to attend UW–Madison,” says interim Chancellor Eric Wilcots. “We have made a commitment through generous financial aid particularly for Wisconsin residents but also serving other students. Our schools and colleges are dedicated to preparing our students for success after graduation and proud of our half a million alumni.”

‘Best value’ ranking jumps

UW–Madison’s No. 11 best value ranking for public schools was a boost of six spots from the previous rankings published in June 2025.

The university’s ranking for financial aid also rose two spots, up from No. 7 to No. 5. In 2024-25, nearly 57% of all UW–Madison undergraduates received financial aid, including close to $129 million in scholarships.

Along with other financial aid offerings, UW–Madison serves Wisconsin students with programs such as Bucky’s Tuition Promise, granting free tuition and fees for incoming freshmen and transfer students with family incomes of $65,000 or less; Bucky’s Pell Pathway, a guarantee to meet the full financial need of Pell Grant-eligible first-year and new transfer students; the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise, covering the full cost of attendance for Wisconsin residents who are enrolled members of fully recognized Wisconsin American Indian tribes; and Badger Promise, for first-generation students who have graduated from any of the two-year UW Colleges or select liberal arts associate degree programs. Likewise, the BANNER program is designed to assist non-resident Badgers from low-income households. In all, two-thirds of Badgers earn a degree with no student loan debt.

Alumni network is strong and growing

As in 2025, the university’s alumni network received a ranking of No. 14 among public schools from the Princeton Review. That alumni network continues to grow: Last year, the number of living Badger alumni topped half a million. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and other donors, in the 2025-26 fiscal year the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association also set a new record by transferring more than $548 million to support UW–Madison.

The university rose two spots, to No. 14, in the category of “Schools Making an Impact.” UW–Madison has been recognized as the top producer of Peace Corps volunteers since 2017. It’s also home to Badger Volunteers, a program of the Morgridge Center for Public Service that has provided more than 320,000 service hours in partnerships across campus and the city of Madison. Campuswide, the Wisconsin Experience promotes personal and individual growth through public service, partnering and contributing to the community, and leading for positive change.

Student ratings of career services at their school, plus salary information for alumni, factor into the Princeton Review’s rankings for career placement, which listed UW–Madison at No. 16 among public schools. According to results from the university’s First Destination Survey, released in March, 91% of respondents who earned a bachelor’s degree from UW–Madison in 2024-25 said that the university prepared them for the next step in their career path. Ninety percent of respondents were employed, engaged in entrepreneurship, serving in the military, contributing through volunteer organizations or pursuing continuing education.

The Princeton Review considered 650 schools to determine the 209 qualifying as “Best Value Colleges” for 2027, according to its website. The 209 that were ranked as best value “all share three exceptional features,” it says, including “stellar academics; affordable cost — either via a comparatively low sticker price of generous financial aid (or both); (and) strong career prospects for graduates.”

In other rankings released this fall, UW–Madison placed 53rd in Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings for 2027, a list of the best universities in the world including 2,297 institutions from 118 countries and territories.

UW–Madison’s highest rankings were in the categories of Research Quality and Industry. Research Quality is based on “citation impact, research excellence and research influence,” while the Industry category is based on “income and patents,” according to the Times Higher Education website.