2026 College Rankings

Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Wisconsin

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College Raptor’s Hidden Gem rankings highlight under-the-radar colleges that may not be household names, but they're bringing serious academic heat. Hidden Gems are based on College Raptor’s overall national rankings and must meet the following criteria:

Receive fewer than 5,000 applications a year.
Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students enrolled.
Have an acceptance rate higher than 10%.
Have 5 or more unique majors.
Rank within the top half of College Raptor’s overall rankings.

For more information on methodology behind our college rankings, check out our ranking methodology breakdown.

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Rank	Institution	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Lawrence University	63.94	1,190 – 1,410	27393	40653	#1 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Wisconsin Lawrence University Appleton, WI Lawrence University, founded in 1847 as one of the nation’s first coeducational institutions, offers a rigorous liberal arts and sciences education alongside its world-renowned Conservatory of Music....Read more Acceptance Rate 63.9% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,410 Avg. Net Price $27,393 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,653
2	Beloit College	63.04	1,210 – 1,390	24941	41660	#2 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Wisconsin Beloit College Beloit, WI Beloit College’s campus is located next to the Rock River, just north of the Illinois and Wisconsin border. With an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and a six-year graduation rate of 73%, Beloit’s most popular major is Psychology, General. Their colors are orange, black, and white, and their mascot is a polar bear. Acceptance Rate 63.0% SAT Score 1,210 – 1,390 Avg. Net Price $24,941 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,660
3	Saint Norbert College	85.74	1,080 – 1,310	27236	49775	#3 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Wisconsin Saint Norbert College De Pere, WI Roman Catholic and Norbertine, St. Norbert College’s motto is “Docere Verbo et Exemplo,” which translates to “To teach by word and example.” It awards 100% of students with institutional grants and has an 83% first year retention rate. 75% graduate in four years, 78% in six. Acceptance Rate 85.7% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $27,236 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,775
4	Wisconsin Lutheran College	78.16	1,130 – 1,340	22809	49095	#4 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Wisconsin Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee, WI Found in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lutheran College’s acceptance rate is 78% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students attending Wisconsin Lutheran College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Acceptance Rate 78.2% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $22,809 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,095
5	Ripon College	83.92	1,040 – 1,280	22557	42334	#5 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Wisconsin Ripon College Ripon, WI Found in Ripon, Ripon College accepted 84% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $30 for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 100% of students attending Ripon College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The school’s first year......Read more Acceptance Rate 83.9% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $22,557 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,334
6	Concordia University-Wisconsin	78.19	1,110 – 1,310	28060	49761	#6 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Wisconsin Concordia University-Wisconsin Mequon, WI Based in Mequon, Concordia University-Wisconsin accepts 78% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 100% of students at Concordia University-Wisconsin currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 78% of students decide to stay at Concordia......Read more Acceptance Rate 78.2% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $28,060 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,761
7	Viterbo University	72.43	1,110 – 1,250	23901	56804	#7 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Wisconsin Viterbo University La Crosse, WI Based in La Crosse, Viterbo University accepted 72% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 100% of students at Viterbo University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The school’s first year......Read more Acceptance Rate 72.4% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $23,901 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,804
8	Northland College	78.87	1,050 – 1,250	24020	35819	#8 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Wisconsin Northland College Ashland, WI Based in Ashland, Northland College accepted 79% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 100% of students attending Northland College will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Acceptance Rate 78.9% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $24,020 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,819
9	Edgewood College	94.52	1,040 – 1,210	26692	53843	#9 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in Wisconsin Edgewood College Madison, WI Located in Madison, Edgewood College accepted 95% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 98% of students at Edgewood College will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Acceptance Rate 94.5% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $26,692 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,843