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# Best Geography Programs in Wisconsin (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

This page ranks the 7 Geography programs in Wisconsin by median earnings of Geography graduates four years after completing. [University of Wisconsin-Whitewater](/school/university-of-wisconsin-whitewater/majors/) leads the list with median earnings of $62,589 for its graduates four years after completing.

The figures range from $62,589 to $29,685, with a median of $57,604 across the listed schools. For 3 of the 7 programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

Public institutions account for 6 of the 7 programs, with 1 private nonprofit school completing the list. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater posts the lowest average net price at $14,158.

[University of Wisconsin-Madison](/school/university-of-wisconsin-madison/majors/) ranks 82nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

## The ranked list

7 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater · Whitewater, WI | $62,589 | $14,158 | $8,440 | 85.7% |
|  | [University of Wisconsin-Whitewater](/school/university-of-wisconsin-whitewater/majors/) reports [$62,589 in median earnings](/school/university-of-wisconsin-whitewater/outcomes/) of Geography graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $14,158. |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI | $59,424 | $17,354 | $4,200 | 45.2% |
|  | Admitting 45% of applicants, [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/school/university-of-wisconsin-madison/majors/) [ranks 82nd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-wisconsin-madison/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire · Eau Claire, WI | $58,129 | $16,550 | $10,270 | 82.3% |
|  | Median federal debt of $21,001 among Geography completers who borrowed coincides with earnings of $58,129 four years after completing at [University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire](/school/university-of-wisconsin-eau-claire/majors/). |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee · Milwaukee, WI | $57,604 | $15,014 | $10,329 | 90.7% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 91%](/school/university-of-wisconsin-milwaukee/admissions/), [University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee](/school/university-of-wisconsin-milwaukee/majors/) ranks 4th on this list. |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse · La Crosse, WI | $36,488 | $16,210 | $8,224 | 75.5% |
|  | [University of Wisconsin-La Crosse](/school/university-of-wisconsin-la-crosse/majors/) posts [median earnings of $36,488](/school/university-of-wisconsin-la-crosse/outcomes/) four years after completing and an average net price of $8,224 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 6 | Carthage College · Kenosha, WI | $33,459 | $26,565 | $23,293 | 87.1% |
|  | A private nonprofit institution in Kenosha, [Carthage College](/school/carthage-college/majors/) reports [$33,459 in median earnings](/school/carthage-college/outcomes/) of Geography graduates four years after completing. |
| 7 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville · Platteville, WI | $29,685 | $16,032 | $9,009 | 89.4% |
|  | [University of Wisconsin-Platteville](/school/university-of-wisconsin-platteville/majors/) [ranks 412th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-wisconsin-platteville/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $16,032. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Geography graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in Wisconsin appear. The figures are medians for federally aided completers of the program who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 3 of the 7 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range from $62,589 to $29,685 and the median of $57,604 cover the seven schools with a published figure. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater leads University of Wisconsin-Madison by $3,165, with a spread of $32,904 from top to bottom.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Geography Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-geography-programs/)
-   [Best Colleges in Wisconsin](/rankings/best-colleges-in-wisconsin/)
-   [Best Geography Programs in California](/rankings/best-geography-programs-in-california/)
-   Geography Programs in Colorado
-   Geography Programs in Illinois
-   Geography Programs in Michigan
-   Social Sciences Colleges in Wisconsin