Wisconsin Colleges & Universities: The Perfect Place to Study

Located in the midwestern U.S., Wisconsin has a unique landscape near the Great Lakes that makes it a haven for outdoor recreation. There are several national parks in the state, including Apostle Islands National Lakeshore along Lake Superior, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, North Country National Scenic Trail, and Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Wisconsin's median household income in 2004 was $46,142, higher than the national average of $44,334. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the state's economy is primarily bolstered by manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare. Although manufacturing accounts for a far greater portion of Wisconsin's income than farming, Wisconsin's nickname is still "America's Dairyland." It produces more dairy products than any other state except California, and Wisconsin is the largest producer of cheese in the country.

Many major corporations call Wisconsin home, including the Kohler Company, Johnson Controls, Briggs & Stratton, Oshkosh Truck, and Harley-Davidson. Wisconsin also ranks first nationwide in the production of paper products. Kimberly-Clark and Georgia-Pacific rank among the state's top 10 employers.

The largest city in Wisconsin is Milwaukee, which is also the 25th most populated city in the U.S. Milwaukee was once the home to four of the world's largest breweries. Miller Brewing Company remains a large employer, providing jobs for over 1,700 of the city's workers.

Madison is Wisconsin's capital. The 2006 population estimate of Madison was 223,389. The largest employer in Madison is the Wisconsin state government, not including the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Today the city's economy is transforming from a predominantly government-driven one to a consumer services and technology-oriented base, particularly in the health, biotech, and advertising sectors.

Sources:

• U.S. Census Bureau
• State of Wisconsin
• USDA
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics