There is no shortage of choice for online colleges in Wisconsin. No less than ten schools make our Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin list, offering a robust selection of online degrees. Each of these school’s online degree offerings cater to those non-traditional students working to pursue a postsecondary credential.
Working adults need the flexibility of online curriculum and course material that can be accessed any time of the day or night, but still want the same individualized attention and trained faculty that traditional students receive, especially at a school that they already know and trust. Those things are exactly what an online degree can offer.
Four reasons to find an online college in your state:
- Guaranteed in-state tuition saves you money
- Be a part of a university or college you know and love
- Get a degree from a school employers know and trust
- Be close enough to easily visit when desired
Ranking guidelines for the best online colleges in Wisconsin:
We selected the online colleges and universities here based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs.
Note: In ranking the best online colleges in Wisconsin, giving attention to the variety of degree programs available at the institutions is of utmost importance. For this reason, a more prestigious school in Wisconsin may offer one, or a few online degrees, but that may not be enough for that school to rank highly among the best online colleges in the state. In this ranking, we are dedicated to showing who’s leading the way in delivering quality online degree programs in Wisconsin.
- See who ranks as the best college and university in Wisconsin today.
- The University of Wisconsin ranks among the 100 best universities in the world.
The Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin
1 University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
(Milwaukee, WI)
The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, established in 1849, is the single largest university in the Milwaukee metropolitan area. The university currently enrolls more than 25,000 students, offers more than 185 programs of study and contains 14 academic colleges and schools. Some of the majors the university offers include freshwater sciences, urban planning, nursing, engineering and applied science.
The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee offers baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs through its UWM Online platform. Bachelor’s degrees include biomedical science, information science and political science. Master’s degree options include library science, translation and administrative leadership. Doctoral degree offerings include nursing. Available certifications include crime analysis, therapeutic recreation and digital libraries.
Online student resources include an online library with librarians available via live chat, email or over the phone.
The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
2 University of Wisconsin La Crosse
(La Crosse, WI)
The University of Wisconsin La Crosse, founded in 1909, was one of the state’s first teacher training schools. It has more than 10,000 students in attendance and offers over 100 programs of study. Some of the majors the university offers include biology, exercise and sports science, finance, elementary education, psychology, social science, the arts, communications and health sciences.
The University of Wisconsin La Crosse offers baccalaureate, master’s and certificate programs online through its Online Education department. Online bachelor’s degree options include health information management as well as health and wellness management. Online master’s degrees include education, professional development and data science. Available online certifications include educational leadership, professional learning and language arts.
Resources made available to online students include an online library with librarians available via email, fax or over the phone.
The University of Wisconsin La Crosse is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
3 University of Wisconsin Whitewater
(Whitewater, WI)
The University of Wisconsin Whitewater, established in 1868, has more than 12,000 students in attendance from 40 states and 40 countries around the world. The university gained the ability to award baccalaureate degrees in 1927 and it has since expanded its offerings to include education, business, political science and much more.
The University of Wisconsin Whitewater offers online baccalaureate, master and certificate programs. Online bachelor’s degree programs include business, liberal studies and political science. Online master’s degrees include special education, business administration and library media. Available online certifications include applied behavior analysis and alternative education.
Resources available to online students include career services, an online job board, disability services, health services and an online library with librarians available via 24/7 live chat, email or over the phone.
The University of Wisconsin Whitewater is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
4 University of Wisconsin Stout
(Menomonie, WI)
The University of Wisconsin Stout, established in 1891, is named in honor of its founder, James Stout. The university is known as a polytechnic university and specializes in more than 75 academic programs within industry, home economics, technology, the helping professions and applied art. The university also features an English as a Second Language Institute in case any of its 10,000+ students do not speak English natively.
The University of Wisconsin Stout offers a wide range of baccalaureate, master’s and certificate programs both online and in a blended format. Bachelor’s degree options include digital marketing, management and sustainable management. Master’s degree offerings include construction management, education and conservation biology. Available certifications include legal studies, sustainable enterprise management and institutional research.
Online student resources include disability services, career services, an online job board, online tutoring, technical support and an online library with librarians available via live chat, email, text message or over the phone.
The University of Wisconsin Stout is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
5 Concordia University Wisconsin
(Mequon, WI)
Concordia University Wisconsin, established in 1881, is a private, Christian liberal arts university operated by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The university offers more than 95 programs of study. Some of their most popular majors include health professions, education and business.
Concordia University Wisconsin offers online associate, baccalaureate, master, doctoral and certificate programs. Online associate’s degrees include business, criminal justice and health services. Online bachelor’s degrees include nursing, business and health services. Online master’s degree options include nursing, education and counseling. Online doctoral degree offerings include health services, business and occupational therapy. Available online certifications include health services, information technology and counseling.
Online student resources include academic advising and an online library with librarians available via online form or over the phone.
Concordia University Wisconsin is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
6 University of Wisconsin Green Bay
(Green Bay, WI)
The University of Wisconsin Green Bay, established in 1965, originally focused on environmental sustainability, earning it the nickname “Eco U” early on in its life cycle and has since branched out to include many other programs of study. The campus features a vast network of underground tunnels to help students get where they need to go on campus more quickly and protect them from the winter snow.
The University of Wisconsin Green Bay offers online associate, baccalaureate and certificate programs. Online associate’s degree options include arts and sciences. Online bachelor’s degrees include business administration and applied studies. Available online certifications include emergency management and nonprofit management.
Online student resources include technical support, a job board and an online library.
The University of Wisconsin Green Bay is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
7 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
(Oshkosh, WI)
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, established in 1871, is among the largest universities in the state. It was one of Wisconsin’s first teacher training schools and the first teacher training school in the country to include a kindergarten. A number of the university’s buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places, including Harrington Hall, Oviatt House and the William E. Pollock Residence, home of the founder of the Oshkosh B’Gosh children’s clothing line.
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh offers bachelor’s and certificate programs online through its Lifelong Learning department. Online bachelor’s degrees include organizational administration, fire emergency and response management, human services leadership and criminal justice. Available online certifications include organizational administration, leadership development and fire and emergency response.
Online student resources include an online job board and an online library with librarians available via live chat, email or over the phone.
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
8 University of Wisconsin Platteville
(Platteville, WI)
The University of Wisconsin Platteville, established in 1866, serves more than 8,500 students. The university is the product of a merger between Wisconsin State College Platteville and the Wisconsin Institute of Technology. The resulting university became Wisconsin’s first teacher training school and has expanded over the years to include business, agriculture, engineering, mathematics and more.
The University of Wisconsin Platteville offers online baccalaureate, master and certificate programs. Bachelor’s degree options include business administration and criminal justice. Master’s degrees include distance education leadership and integrated supply chain management. Available online certifications include child advocacy studies and engineering. Students can apply any courses taken toward the completion of a certificate program, which may be applied toward a degree in the future.
Online student resources include technical support and an online library with librarians available via live chat, email or over the phone.
The University of Wisconsin Platteville is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
9 University of Wisconsin Superior
(Superior, WI)
The University of Wisconsin Superior, established in 1893, has more than 2,500 students in attendance. The university provides a variety of undergraduate majors and several graduate programs in the sciences, arts and professions.
The University of Wisconsin Superior offers associate, baccalaureate, master and certificate programs online through its Distance Learning Center. Online bachelor’s degrees include communicating arts, exercise science and health and wellness management. Online master’s degree offerings include sustainable management and data science. Available online certifications include sustainable management science and sustainable management enterprise.
Online student resources include an online job board, online tutoring, a writing center, online exam proctoring, technical support, counseling, disability services, veterans’ services, and an online library.
The University of Wisconsin Superior is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
10 Viterbo University
(La Crosse, WI)
Established in 1890, Viterbo University is a private, Roman Catholic university which offers more than 75 programs of study. The university, founded as an elementary teacher training school for religious sisters, is known for its nursing and theatre programs. The university is one of only a few members of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities in the United States.
Viterbo University offers online associate and baccalaureate degrees. Associate’s degree options include arts and science, while bachelor’s degree offerings include nursing, criminal justice administration, healthcare management, professional studies and organizational management.
Resources made available to online students include online writing assistance, 24/7 online tutoring, academic advising, career services, technical support and an online library with librarians available via live chat, email, text message or over the phone.
Viterbo University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).