Wisconsin Higher Education

“[K]knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.” –Ordinance of 1787


University of Wisconsin, 1858 (digital image created and owned byUWDCC— UW.CLP-A0069.bib)

Nearly 50 years before Wisconsin was a U.S. territory and over 60 years before Wisconsin became a state, the founding fathers recognized the importance of education. In the more than 150 years since Wiscons in became a state, higher education has flourished.


Lawrence University, 1905 ( digital image courtesy of Lawrence University Archives)



University of Wisconsin-Stout, 1954 (digital image courtesy of UW-Stout Archives)


13 Comprehensive Universities

13 Freshman-Sophomore Colleges

20 Private and Independent Schools and Universities

52 Technical Colleges