Marquette University again earned the title of best university in the Badger State, according to the 2026 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings. Coming in at 82nd place nationally, Marquette beat out other institutions like the Universities of Wisconsin-Madison and Whitewater.
In the 2025 and 2024 rankings, Marquette was also deemed best university in Wisconsin. In 2025, it was ranked 55th nationally and 56th the year before.
Despite falling 27 places from its 2025 ranking, Marquette scored highly when it came to best salaries for graduates and finished among the top 75 institutions in the country.
The WSJ/College Pulse ranks the top 584 undergraduate institutions in the U.S. based on overall value provided to students. The value is assessed based on factors like learning environment, years to pay off the net price, degree completion rates, likelihood of higher salaries post-graduation and diversity.
Results are drawn from the U.S. Department of Education and the Census Bureau’s data, as well as a nationwide survey of undergraduate students and alumni who graduated within the past five years. In cooperation with the Wall Street Journal and Statista, College Pulse anonymously surveyed approximately 120,000 undergraduates and recent alumni.
According to the 2026 U.S. World and News Report, Marquette landed within the top 20% of colleges in America. The university was also ranked 17th for undergraduate teaching and 24th for service learning.
The Princeton Review’s 2026 college rankings put Marquette first overall for most engaged in community service and 14th in best private schools for internships. The university also earned a top-10 ranking for best-run colleges, top-15 ranking for happiest students, a best value college and a green college, meaning an institution that integrates sustainability across its operations.
Marquette ranked best in Wisconsin — and sixth nationwide — for job placement, according to the Department of Education College Scoreboard.
A complete list of Marquette’s rankings and recognitions is available online.
This story was written by Mia Thurow. She can be reached at [email protected].
