Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin
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Nearly one-third of the Badger State’s population aged 25 years or older holds an undergraduate degree.
Home to one of the largest public institutions of higher education in the country, Wisconsin boasts an extensive network of two- and four-year state universities. Wisconsin also provides educational opportunities at private colleges and 16 technical colleges.
In Wisconsin, online schooling spans disciplines and institutions. Online undergraduate programs offered through the University of Wisconsin System allow students to collaborate across campuses and schools, including programs in business administration, information science and technology, and nursing. There are also 23 private colleges in Wisconsin that offer online academic programs.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in Wisconsin prepares graduates to pursue careers in the state’s top fields, including business, digital technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. This guide provides information about the best online colleges in Wisconsin, detailing the types of available programs, common professional pathways, and salary data in the state.
The Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,091
- Out-of-state$19,661
- In-State$10,543
- Out-of-state$23,775
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled25,731
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
- La Crosse, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,585
- Out-of-state$16,404
- In-State$8,651
- Out-of-state$18,637
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled10,623
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
- Green Bay, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,298
- Out-of-state$14,516
- In-State$7,996
- Out-of-state$17,551
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled8,766
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
- Kenosha, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,298
- Out-of-state$14,568
- In-State$8,028
- Out-of-state$17,622
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled4,388
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
Best Online Colleges
Wisconsin
2022
Online Colleges in Wisconsin Ranking Guidelines
We selected the online schools in Wisconsin based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, and faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs.
Employment in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s major industries include healthcare, manufacturing, and digital technology, which coincide with many of the top-paying careers in the state.
Major cities like Madison host large technology employers, but Wisconsin also offers regional career pathways in more rural areas. Resources like the Wisconomy website and the skill explorer, both provided by the Department of Workforce Development, allow students to make informed choices about their employment options.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), unemployment numbers in Wisconsin are on the decline. In December 2020, unemployment in Wisconsin was 4% — significantly lower than August 2020’s 6% rate.
As employment opportunities expand, individuals can also benefit from the lower-than-average cost of living in Wisconsin. Wisconsin’s cost of living index is just 90.9, as compared to the national standard of 100. The state’s lowest cost of living expenses relative to the national average include housing and transportation.
The following data details the highest-paying roles employing more than 5,000 individuals in Wisconsin. Salary information applies specifically to Wisconsin, while job growth data pertains to the United States as a whole.
| Career | Annual Mean Salary (2019) | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians | $246,060 | 4% | Doctoral degree |
| Chief Executives | $159,500 | 4% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Sales Managers | $139,230 | 4% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Financial Managers | $138,420 | 15% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Pharmacists | $134,090 | -3% | Doctoral degree |
| General and Operations Managers | $131,220 | 6% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Lawyers | $129,440 | 4% | Doctoral degree |
The following data reflects the highest-paying roles employing more than 10,000 professionals in Wisconsin. Salary figures apply specifically to Wisconsin, while job growth data refers to the United States.
| Career | Annual Mean Salary (2019) | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $131,220 | 6% | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Software Developers | $92,560 | 22% | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Management Analysts | $88,500 | 11% | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Computer Systems Analysts | $84,340 | 7% | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Mechanical Engineers | $80,650 | 4% | Bachelor’s Degree |
Wisconsin Online Schooling: Associate and Graduate Degrees
Online colleges in Wisconsin offer undergraduate and graduate degrees that mirror their on-campus counterparts. For example, University of Wisconsin (UW) offers an associate of arts and sciences degree as both a traditional program and a flexible online option.
Through one of the technical colleges in Wisconsin, students can earn an online associate degree in accounting, early childhood education, and marketing. These programs lead to careers as accounting assistants, teaching aids, and marketing associates. Meanwhile, online associate of arts and sciences degrees build foundational knowledge for students aiming to enter the workforce or continue to bachelor’s programs.
Online graduate degrees offered through Wisconsin’s extension program unite institutions throughout the state, offering pathways in fields like study management, healthcare, and information technology. These lead to careers in business administration, healthcare management, and cybersecurity.
The UW online system provides online graduate degrees in nearly 60 disciplines. For example, students can pursue online master’s degrees in business administration from three UW institutions, or they can earn online education and engineering master’s degrees from six UW schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wisconsin offers online degrees to both in-state and out-of-state students. Some schools offer flat-rate tuition for online learners, keeping costs lower for out-of-state students than they would be if those students studied on campus
Online degrees in Wisconsin vary in length. Students can earn associate degrees in two years or less. Online bachelor’s degrees include roughly four years of coursework, while graduate programs can span 2-10 years.
According to a UW report, the top online major in Wisconsin is business. Education, biology, health sciences, and communication arts round out the top five majors for students enrolled online with UW.
Melissa Sartore holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her BA and MA in history are from Western Illinois University. A medievalist by training, she has published on outlawry in medieval England with additional publications on outlaws in popular culture and across geographic and historical boundaries.
