Top 3 Software Engineering Programs in Wisconsin 2025
University of Wisconsin-Madison
133 software engineering graduates annually, 83% graduation rate
Milwaukee School of Engineering
104 software engineering graduates annually, 77% graduation rate
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
95 software engineering graduates annually, 97% graduation rate
- 1.Wisconsin offers 20+ accredited software engineering programs across public and private universities
- 2.University of Wisconsin-Madison leads with 83% graduation rate
- 3.Wisconsin software developers earn median $103,360 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Madison, Milwaukee
- 5.Cost of living index: 95.2% of US average (below average)
Software Engineering Education in Wisconsin: Overview
Wisconsin offers 20 accredited software engineering programs, producing approximately 526 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Madison, Milwaukee, with major employers including Epic Systems, Rockwell Automation, Northwestern Mutual.
With a median software developer salary of $103,360 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 95.2% compared to the US average, Wisconsin offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers compared to higher-cost coastal markets.
The top software engineering programs in the state are led by University of Wisconsin-Madison, Milwaukee School of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Based on 20 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Software Engineering degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
Wisconsin-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Wisconsin Software Engineering Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | Public | $9,644 | 83% | 85.4 |
| 2 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | Milwaukee, WI | Private | $46,385 | 77% | 75.9 |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | Public | $8,455 | 97% | 73.8 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville | Platteville, WI | Public | $6,827 | 99% | 61.4 |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | Green Bay, WI | Public | $6,767 | 79% | 53.3 |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | La Crosse, WI | Public | $7,974 | 92% | 51.2 |
| 7 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Whitewater, WI | Public | $6,812 | 92% | 50.1 |
| 8 | Wisconsin Lutheran College | Milwaukee, WI | Private | $34,520 | 93% | 48.4 |
| 9 | Concordia University-Wisconsin | Mequon, WI | Private | $33,750 | — | 48.3 |
| 10 | Beloit College | Beloit, WI | Private | $58,042 | — | 45.3 |
| 11 | Carroll University | Waukesha, WI | Private | $36,400 | — | 44.7 |
| 12 | Lawrence University | Appleton, WI | Private | $55,149 | — | 43.7 |
| 13 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | Stevens Point, WI | Public | $7,112 | 86% | 43.6 |
| 14 | Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI | Private | $47,690 | — | 42.9 |
| 15 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | Oshkosh, WI | Public | $6,806 | 89% | 42 |
| 16 | Saint Norbert College | De Pere, WI | Private | $43,532 | — | 36.9 |
| 17 | University of Wisconsin-River Falls | River Falls, WI | Public | $6,837 | — | 34.6 |
| 18 | Ripon College | Ripon, WI | Private | $50,400 | — | 34.2 |
| 19 | Herzing University-Madison | Madison, WI | Private | $12,360 | 39% | 30.4 |
| 20 | Herzing University-Brookfield | Brookfield, WI | Private | $12,360 | 22% | 24.5 |
Top 5 Software Engineering Programs in Wisconsin: Side-by-Side
| School | UW Madison | Milwaukee School of... | U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | U of Wisconsin-Platteville | U of Wisconsin-Green Bay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $9,644 | $46,385 | $8,455 | $6,827 | $6,767 |
| Graduation Rate | 83% | 77% | 97% | 99% | 79% |
| Annual Graduates | 133 | 104 | 95 | 43 | 31 |
| Acceptance Rate | 43% | 60% | 88% | 87% | 88% |
| Type | Public | Private | Public | Public | Public |
| Score | 85.4/100 | 75.9/100 | 73.8/100 | 61.4/100 | 53.3/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Software Engineering in Wisconsin
Wisconsin offers 17 bachelor's-level software engineering programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of Wisconsin-Madison, Milwaukee School of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $72,352 in the Wisconsin market.
A bachelor's in software engineering typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 UW Madison | $9,644 | 83% | 133 | 85.4 |
| #2 Milwaukee School of... | $46,385 | 77% | 104 | 75.9 |
| #3 U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | $8,455 | 97% | 95 | 73.8 |
Top Software Engineering Schools for Master's Degrees in Wisconsin
For graduate study, Wisconsin offers 5 master's-level software engineering programs. Leading institutions include University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Wisconsin reaching $134,368 or more.
Top 3 Software Engineering Master's Programs in Wisconsin
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | $8,455 | 97% | 69 | 73.3 |
| #2 U of Wisconsin-La Crosse | $7,974 | 92% | 8 | 51.2 |
| #3 U of Wisconsin-Whitewater | $6,812 | 92% | 10 | 50.1 |
Most Affordable Software Engineering Colleges in Wisconsin
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable software engineering programs in Wisconsin are at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay ($6,767/year), University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh ($6,806/year), University of Wisconsin-Whitewater ($6,812/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Wisconsin's competitive tech salaries.
At University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, a 4-year degree costs approximately $27,068 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $72,352, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.7 years. See our Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs in Wisconsin (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Wisconsin-Green Bay | $6,767 | $27,068 | 0.7 years | Public |
| #2 U of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | $6,806 | $27,224 | 0.7 years | Public |
| #3 U of Wisconsin-Whitewater | $6,812 | $27,248 | 0.7 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Software Engineering Schools in Wisconsin
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 software engineering programs in Wisconsin, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $9,644 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 83% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 133 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 43%
- • Ranking Score: 85.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 83% graduation rate
- 133 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 85.4 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (83%), program size (133 graduates), state salary outcomes ($103,360), and selectivity (43% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $46,385 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 77% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 104 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 60%
- • Ranking Score: 75.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 77% graduation rate
- 104 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 75.9 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (77%), program size (104 graduates), state salary outcomes ($103,360), and selectivity (60% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
MSOE's Software Engineering program is ABET-accredited and combines engineering principles with software development, emphasizing requirements, process, design, and verification. The program achieves 96% graduate employment/placement rates and provides strong foundations in both computer science fundamentals and software engineering practice.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Career Outcomes
- Starting Salary: $75,532
- Job Placement: 96% of 2023-24 graduates from software engineering program are fully employed, enrolled in graduate school or enlisted in military after graduation
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,455 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 97% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 95 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 88%
- • Ranking Score: 73.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- 97% graduation rate
- 95 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 73.8 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (97%), program size (95 graduates), state salary outcomes ($103,360), and selectivity (88% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
UWM's Computer Engineering program offers a redesigned curriculum for faster graduation, strong industry partnerships providing well-paid internships earning over $8,000 in summer positions, and specialization options in emerging fields like IoT and embedded systems.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Admission Prerequisites
- •four years of mathematics (including one-and-a-half years of algebra, one year of geometry, and one-half year of trigonometry)
- •four years of natural science (including biology, chemistry, and physics)
Admissions
- Min GPA: 2.5
- Transfer Friendly
Program Details
- Credits: 120
Career Outcomes
- Starting Salary: $76,000
- Top Employers: Astronautics Corporation of America, Dematic, GE Healthcare, Intel, Microsoft, Milwaukee Tool, Northwestern Mutual, Quad, Rockwell Automation, Tesla
Available Specializations / Concentrations
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Platteville, WI • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $6,827 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 99% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 43 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 87%
- • Ranking Score: 61.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 99% graduation rate
- 43 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 61.4 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (99%), program size (43 graduates), state salary outcomes ($103,360), and selectivity (87% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Green Bay, WI • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $6,767 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 79% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 31 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 88%
- • Ranking Score: 53.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 79% graduation rate
- 31 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 53.3 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (79%), program size (31 graduates), state salary outcomes ($103,360), and selectivity (88% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
UW-Green Bay's Software Engineering program is a new Bachelor of Science degree program effective Fall 2025 that provides comprehensive engineering-focused software development education with dedicated software engineering courses alongside computer science fundamentals, totaling 88 credits with a required capstone project.
Program Details
- Credits: 88 credits
Career Paths
Software Engineer
SOC 15-1252Software Engineer opportunities in Wisconsin with strong job growth.
Backend Developer
SOC 15-1252Backend Developer opportunities in Wisconsin with strong job growth.
Frontend Developer
SOC 15-1252Frontend Developer opportunities in Wisconsin with strong job growth.
Full Stack Developer
SOC 15-1252Full Stack Developer opportunities in Wisconsin with strong job growth.
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1244DevOps Engineer opportunities in Wisconsin with strong job growth.
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Madison, Milwaukee
- You're seeking lower cost of living than coastal states (95.2% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Epic Systems or Rockwell Automation
- You prefer Wisconsin's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Wisconsin's 20)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration (consider SF, Seattle, NYC)
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Software Engineering Programs in Other States
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Software Engineering in Wisconsin FAQ
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Wisconsin salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
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