State education guide

Wisconsin (WI)

Known as "America’s Dairyland," Wisconsin is famous for its cheese, stunning natural beauty, and friendly Midwestern culture. From the Great Lakes to the Northwoods, the state offers a perfect mix of outdoor recreation, lively cities, and rich history. Whether you're exploring Milwaukee’s breweries, enjoying the scenic beauty of Door County, or cheering on the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin has something for everyone.

Population: ~5.9 million
Weather: Cold, snowy winters (10-30°F); warm, humid summers (70-85°F).
Famous Sites: Lambeau Field, Wisconsin Dells, Apostle Islands, Harley-Davidson Museum, House on the Rock.
Top Activities: Boating, fishing, hiking, cheese tasting, attending festivals, football games.

Fun facts

The Dairy Capital of the U.S. 🧀 – Wisconsin is famous for its cheese production, producing more cheese than any other state in the U.S.
Home of the Green Bay Packers 🏈 – Green Bay is the smallest city in the U.S. with an NFL team, and its fans are famously known as “Cheeseheads.”
Birthplace of Frank Lloyd Wright 🏡 – The famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin, in 1867.
The Waterpark Capital of the World 🌊 – Wisconsin Dells has the most waterparks per capita in the world, making it a top vacation destination.
First Kindergarten in America 🎒 – The first American kindergarten was founded in Watertown, Wisconsin, in 1856.
Largest Cranberry Producer 🍒 – Wisconsin produces more cranberries than any other state, supplying about 60% of the nation’s cranberries.
Harley-Davidson Started Here 🏍️ – The iconic Harley-Davidson motorcycle company was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1903.
Lake Michigan’s Ice Caves ❄️ – In winter, the Apostle Islands form stunning ice caves that attract visitors from all over the country.
America’s First Ice Cream Sundae 🍨 – It is believed that the first ice cream sundae was created in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, in 1881.
The State of Beer 🍺 – Wisconsin has a long history of brewing beer, with iconic brands like Miller, Pabst, and Leinenkugel being born here.

Jobs and careers

Wisconsin offers strong career opportunities in healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and education. These industries provide stable jobs with competitive salaries. Below are the top five in-demand jobs in Wisconsin based on earnings and job openings. Click on the job titles to view more details from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Job Title	Average Salary	Industry
Registered Nurse (RN)	~$77,000	Healthcare
Software Developer	~$105,000	Technology
Medical and Health Services Manager	~$101,000	Healthcare
Industrial Engineer	~$88,000	Manufacturing
Elementary School Teacher	~$59,000	Education

High schools

Wisconsin offers some of the best high schools in the nation, providing students with strong academic programs, extracurricular activities, and college preparation. Whether public or private, these schools emphasize excellence in education and student development.

Top Public High Schools in Wisconsin

Brookfield East High School, Brookfield – Recognized for its strong Advanced Placement (AP) program and high test scores.
Whitefish Bay High School, Whitefish Bay – Offers a challenging curriculum with a focus on college readiness.
Hamilton High School, Sussex – Known for its excellent STEM programs and student achievement.
Cedarburg High School, Cedarburg – Provides students with top-tier academic resources and extracurricular opportunities.
Shorewood High School, Shorewood – Emphasizes a well-rounded education with strong arts and athletics programs.

Top Private High Schools in Wisconsin

University School of Milwaukee, Milwaukee – Offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with individualized learning.
Brookfield Academy, Brookfield – Known for academic excellence and leadership development.
The Prairie School, Racine – Provides a strong liberal arts education with a focus on creativity.
Marquette University High School, Milwaukee – A Jesuit school with a strong tradition of academic achievement.
Pius XI Catholic High School, Milwaukee – Combines strong academics with a focus on faith and service.

Top colleges and universities

Wisconsin is home to some of the best public and private universities, offering diverse programs in engineering, healthcare, business, and more.

Top Public Colleges & Universities in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) – The state's flagship university, known for top-ranked programs in business, engineering, and healthcare.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) – A research university offering strong business, healthcare, and engineering programs.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-La Crosse) – Recognized for its strong science, healthcare, and business programs.
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UW-Eau Claire) – Known for an excellent liberal arts education and strong business programs.
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UW-Stevens Point) – Offers strong environmental science, business, and education programs.

Top Private Colleges & Universities in Wisconsin

Marquette University – A prestigious private university known for its strong law, business, and healthcare programs.
Lawrence University – A top liberal arts college known for its strong music conservatory and academic excellence.
Edgewood College – A private Catholic college with strong programs in healthcare, business, and education.
Carthage College – Offers a strong liberal arts education with excellent science and business programs.
Ripon College – A small private college known for personalized education and strong liberal arts programs.

Largest cities

Wisconsin features dynamic cities known for their vibrant communities and renowned colleges. In these urban centers, college campuses enrich the local atmosphere and bring thousands of students to the area each year. The table below shows Wisconsin's 10 largest cities, their approximate populations, and the number of college students enrolled in each city.

City	Population (Approx.)	Student Enrollment (Approx.)
Milwaukee	~569,000	~45,000
Madison	~277,000	~50,000
Green Bay	~107,000	~9,000
Kenosha	~100,000	~7,500
Racine	~77,000	~3,000
Appleton	~75,000	~5,000
Waukesha	~72,000	~3,500
Eau Claire	~70,000	~11,000
Oshkosh	~66,000	~13,500
Janesville	~66,000	~2,000

Sports teams

Wisconsin is home to several professional sports teams, with passionate fan bases supporting teams in the NFL, NBA, and MLB. The state has a rich sports heritage, with its teams consistently competing at a high level in their respective leagues.

Wisconsin also features minor league and semi-pro teams in baseball, soccer, and hockey, offering fans more opportunities to watch competitive sports.

Major Professional Sports Teams in Wisconsin

Football 🏈

Green Bay Packers (NFL) – One of the most iconic franchises in the NFL, known for its historic success, loyal fan base, and 13 league championships. The team is unique as it is community-owned.

Basketball 🏀

Milwaukee Bucks (NBA) – The 2021 NBA champions, led by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The team has a strong following and continues to be a powerhouse in the league.

Baseball ⚾

Milwaukee Brewers (MLB) – Wisconsin’s Major League Baseball team, consistently competing for postseason spots and known for its energetic fan base at American Family Field.

Minor League & Semi-Pro Teams in Wisconsin

Baseball 🏟️

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (High-A – Milwaukee Brewers affiliate) – A key part of the Brewers' farm system, based in Appleton.
Milwaukee Milkmen (American Association – Independent) – A competitive independent league team with a growing fan base.

Hockey 🏒

Milwaukee Admirals (AHL – Nashville Predators affiliate) – The top minor league team for the NHL’s Nashville Predators, developing future stars.

Soccer ⚽

Forward Madison FC (USL League One – Third-tier professional league) – A Madison-based team known for its strong community support.

From major league titles to rising minor league teams, Wisconsin offers a rich and exciting sports scene for fans across the state.