Colleges & Universities

Wisconsin values education and nowhere is this clearer than in its system of colleges and universities. More than 68,000 students are enrolled each year in the more than two dozen public and private four-year schools serving the region. These include nationally recognized universities, colleges, technical schools and specialty schools. Two schools — University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and Marquette University — account for half of the college students enrolled in the five-county area. Specialty schools include the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design.

Higher Education

Southeastern Wisconsin also offers a wealth of higher education opportunities. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has more than 25,000 students in more than 190 different undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university's Lubar School of Business accommodates approximately 4,200 students and is noted for its research in manufacturing, information systems, accounting, marketing, finance strategy and leadership, business development, and diversity issues. Marquette University offers over 11,800 students a wide array of academic choices and more than 75 majors through its nationally recognized colleges and schools. More than 2,800 students attend the Milwaukee School of Engineering, a private college with very strong ties to the business community.

The state's vocational education program was the first of its kind in the nation when it was established in 1908. Working closely with business and industry, it provides two-year degrees that are closely matched to real-world needs. In southeastern Wisconsin, vocational schools include the Milwaukee Area Technical College in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties, Waukesha County Technical College in Waukesha County, the Moraine Park Technical College in Washington County and Gateway Technical College in Racine County. These schools have a combined enrollment of nearly 85,000 students in associate degree and certificate programs.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM)

The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) is the second-largest campus in the University of Wisconsin System, with more than 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students representing all 50 states and nearly 90 countries. UWM’s 15 schools and colleges offer more than 190 degree programs, including 67 master’s degree and 37 doctoral degree programs.

UWM is known for its School of Architecture & Urban Planning, School of Freshwater Sciences, Lubar School of Business, College of Engineering & Applied Science and College of Health Sciences. In 2011, it was included in the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities, signifying it as one of the world’s best international research universities. In 2016, it was designated a top-tier doctoral research university, joining Yale, Duke and Johns Hopkins universities.

Princeton Review named UWM a “2017 Best Midwestern University” as well. Located a few minutes north of downtown Milwaukee, UWM is a NCAA Division I school, with 15 athletic teams. uwm.edu

Two other four-year University of Wisconsin schools are located in the region. More than 12,400 students attend the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in Walworth County, noted for its College of Business and Economics. Another 4,700 students attend University of Wisconsin-Parkside, located between Racine and Kenosha.

Marquette University

Marquette University Marquette University is the largest private school in the region. A Jesuit, Catholic university, Marquette serves just over 11,800 students from 71 countries. Marquette offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and pre-professional programs in dentistry, law and health sciences. For postgraduate students, Marquette offers 70 doctoral and master's degree programs, 12 graduate certificate programs, the School of Dentistry and the Law School. Marquette ranks within the top 100 schools in the 2020 Edition of America’s Best Colleges, Marquette was ranked the 6th best college nationally and the best college in Wisconsin for job placement, according to rankings done by Zippia.com using Department of Education College Scorecard data. Founded in 1881, Marquette University is located just west of downtown Milwaukee. marquette.edu

Southeastern Wisconsin is home to more than two dozen colleges, universities and specialty schools that offer a full range of educational opportunities - from classroom settings offering low faculty-to-student ratios, to world-class research centers like the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and Marquette University.

Private Colleges

Following are the private, non-specialty four-year schools serving the area:

Alverno College

3400 S. 43rd St., Milwaukee; Enrollment: 1,100; weekday and evening/online undergraduate class options for women; accelerated bachelor’s program for men and women; co-ed master’s programs in business, education, nursing, music therapy, school psychology and community psychology.  www.alverno.edu

Cardinal Stritch University

6801 N. Yates Rd., Milwaukee; Enrollment: 4,600; undergraduate degrees ranging from education to business and the fine arts; graduate programs in nursing, clinical psychology, religious studies; sports management, leadership, health sciences, education and business; day, evening and online classes. Telephone: (414) 410-4000; www.stritch.edu

Carroll University

100 N. East Ave., Waukesha; Enrollment: 3,496 (undergrad), 525 (graduate); Curriculum: liberal arts and pre-professional in 95 areas of study. Telephone: (262) 524-7373; www.carrollu.edu

Concordia University Wisconsin

12800 N. Lake Shore Dr., Mequon; Enrollment: 7,178; Curriculum: liberal arts, business, business nursing, and education. Telephone: (262) 243-5700; www.cuw.edu

Marquette University

1250 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee; Enrollment: 11,800; Curriculum (colleges/schools): arts and sciences, business administration, communication, dentistry, education, engineering, health sciences, law, nursing, and professional studies. Telephone: (414) 288-7250; www.marquette.edu

Mount Mary University

2900 N. Menomonee River Pkwy., Milwaukee; Enrollment: nearly 1,300; Curriculum: liberal arts. Telephone: (414) 258-4810; www.mtmary.edu

Wisconsin Lutheran College

8800 W. Bluemound Rd., Milwaukee; Enrollment: 1,200; Curriculum: liberal arts, business, teacher education, and nursing. Telephone: (414) 433-8800; www.wlc.edu 

Specialty Schools

Medical College of Wisconsin

8701 W. Watertown Plank Rd., Milwaukee; Enrollment: 1,245 (845 medical students and 400 graduate students), 860 graduate physicians in residency and fellowship training; Curriculum: medical, biomedical science, public health. Telephone: (414) 955-8296; www.mcw.edu

Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

273 E. Erie St., Milwaukee; Enrollment: 930; Curriculum: bachelor of fine arts degree in communication design, illustration, interior architecture and design, product design and new studion practice: fine arts. Telephone: (414) 847-3200; www.miad.edu

Milwaukee School of Engineering

1025 N. Broadway, Milwaukee; Enrollment: 2,566 (undergraduate), 180 (graduate); Curriculum: engineering, actuarial science, business, computer science and nursing. Telephone: (414) 277-6763 or (800) 332-6763  www.msoe.edu

Technical Colleges

The state’s vocational education system continues to be a national leader in providing students with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace. Established in the early 1900s, it was the first of its kind in the nation. Today the system serves more than 400,000 students at 16 colleges in the state. Nearly 90 percent of students who complete the state’s technical college programs are employed within six months of their graduation. An additional 8 percent continue their education at a four-year university or other school.

Gateway Technical College

Offers more than 70 diploma, certificate and associate degree programs. Campuses in Racine, Kenosha, Elkhorn, Burlington, Pleasant Prairie and Sturtevant. Telephone: (800) 247-7122; www.gtc.edu

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Offers 170+ associate degree, diploma and certificate programs students can complete in as little as one to two years; a more affordable path to a four-year degree, MATC partners with 35 four-year colleges and universities. Campuses in Downtown Milwaukee, Mequon, Oak Creek and West Allis. Telephone: (414) 297-MATC; Website: www.matc.edu

Moraine Park Technical College

Offers more than 60 associate degrees and diploma programs in the West Bend area. Telephone: (262) 334-3413; www.morainepark.edu

Waukesha County Technical College

More than 150 associate degrees, technical diplomas, apprenticeships and certificate programs. Telephone: (262) 691-5566; www.wctc.edu