56 American Colleges With Surrounding Cities Full of Career and Networking Potential

44. University of Wisconsin–Madison – Midwest Powerhouse for Policy, Healthcare & Research

UW–Madison’s presence in Wisconsin’s capital city creates a direct pipeline into government, biotech, and healthcare. As home to one of the top public research universities in the U.S., the city also houses Epic Systems (a healthcare software giant), numerous think tanks, and startups spun out of UW’s research incubators. Students have access to the state legislature, major policy influencers, and a growing ecosystem in sustainable agriculture, environmental policy, and data science—making Madison a hidden engine for civic, scientific, and socially-driven careers.