The demand for online education in the state of Wisconsin is continuously on the rise. The Distance Education State Almanac reported that from 2012 to 2015, the number of Wisconsin students who studied at least one online course rose by about 13%. Nearly a quarter of them may have taken one online course at a minimum, and 10% studied entirely online. Moreover, most of the students registered in Wisconsin academic institutions may take at least one online course. The state’s public college institutions offer the greatest number of online education programs.
Wisconsin takes pride in its 84 degree-granting academic institutions, which include 31 public colleges and universities. Out of these public schools, 14 offer four-year degrees, while 17 feature two-year degree programs. One of the country’s largest public university systems, the University of Wisconsin System has an annual budget of $6 billion and serves roughly 170,000 students in its 26 campuses.
The research universities in its Milwaukee and Madison campuses offer research opportunities and graduate degree programs. About 12% of Wisconsin’s online students pursue their master’s degree, while 40% attend two-year colleges.
METHODOLOGY
Our researchers and staff at OnlineSchoolsCenter.com are on a mission to help you make a sound decision in choosing the best online school. Our 5 Top Online Schools in Wisconsin are ranked based on the quality of education, courses, and degree programs they offer. These are the salient features shared by our best and highly recommended online colleges and universities:
- Rigorous coursework and extensive curricula encompassing all facets of the degree of discipline,
- A faculty of experts who have contributed to their focus of study,
- A top-rated online learning platform that houses the student’s coursework,
- Full accreditation from academic agencies and industry watchdogs.
See our Methodology Page for more information about our ranking process.
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Concordia University-Wisconsin is a private, Christian liberal arts university with a curriculum that blends knowledge and faith. It is also part of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod system, equipping students with the necessary tools to be successful mentally and spiritually.
The university has four online associate programs featuring Criminal Justice Management, Business Management, Human Resource Management, and Healthcare Management. Also, the university features 11 various undergraduate programs such as Theology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Entrepreneurship, and Nursing. It has 75 minors and majors, along with 17 diverse adult education programs and graduate programs. The online learning department concentrates on graduate programming, featuring 30 online graduate and even more doctorate programs.
Doctorate students may pursue degree programs with courses that include Leadership in Innovation, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Nursing Practice. Graduate programs include topics such as information technology, nursing, occupational therapy, educational design, and technology. The university has alternatives for online MBA students with specializations in Human Resource Management, Healthcare Administration for Practitioners, Healthcare Administration, Finance, Communications, And Public Relations, and Accounting.
Location: Mequon, Wisconsin
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- English Language Proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE)
- GRE or GMAT not required
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the Higher Learning Commission
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse offers undergraduate degree programs, eight master’s programs, and one doctorate program. Undergraduate students may focus on studies in Political Science, Health Information Management and Technology, and Health And Wellness Management. Master’s degree students may also pursue majors in Medical Dosimetry, Healthcare Administration, Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education, Data Science, Professional Development Online Learning Community, Professional Development Educational Leadership, Reading, and Business Administration. The university also has a doctorate program in Student Affairs Administration and Leadership.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse online programs are recognized by the Online Learning Consortium (OLC), an organization that evaluates the quality of online degree programs. As a leading online Wisconsin university, the school runs both undergraduate and graduate, as well as professional certificate programs, with other programs offered in partnership with other colleges. Currently, the school’s undergraduate degree programs are the Bachelors of Science in Health Information Management and Technology, and Health and Wellness Management. The online MBA program at the university features 14 credits of electives and 16 credits of required core coursework.
The student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1. Aside from this, more than 90% of classes contain lesser than 50 students, and this provides a learning experience where students may easily interact with their professors.
Online students enroll in courses through the Desire2Learn (D2L) platform and share the same semestral schedule with on-campus students. Distance learners gain access to the Murphy Library, textbook rental services, and essential student services. They receive school events information through their social media profiles.
The university’s online learning coursework has received approval from the Online Learning Consortium (OLC), a professional organization that promotes the advancement of online education globally. OLC applies research-based standards in assessing the quality of distance learning programs offered across the United States.
Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin
Admission Requirements
- GPA of 3.59
- ACT or SAT scores
- Official high school transcripts
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the Higher Learning Commission
Viterbo University
Founded in 1890, Viterbo University features online degree programs in numerous fields such as professional studies, nursing, special education, organizational management, instructional coaching, teacher leadership, healthcare management, and accounting. The university’s online accounting degree grants students with a bachelor of business administration major in accounting. Graduates emerge as skilled individuals with career options that include certified public assistant, accountant, financial analyst, and business analyst. The university also provides students values-based education emphasizing leadership, ethics, and service.
Viterbo University features a generous transfer credit policy, as well as full-time and part-time enrollment alternatives. There are three start dates for the entire year, and eight-week coursework is delivered through a flexible format. Online students may obtain access to support services, personalized advising, tutorials and writing assistance, and finance laboratories. There are also weekend and term-long sessions for an entire year. Student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1 and the average class size is 16 students for a sufficient individualized learning experience.
Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 2.25
- Official high school transcripts
- SAT or ACT scores
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the Higher Learning Commission
University of Wisconsin-Stout
The University of Wisconsin-Stout has a population of about 2,000 students enrolled in distance learning programs. This university is a career-focused polytechnic university that focuses on constant improvement, competence, and collaboration. It also provides programs in six career areas such as human sciences, IT and communications, science and engineering, education, business and management, art, design, and graphics. UW-Stout also has about nine master’s programs, which focus on topics such as manufacturing engineering, operations and supply management, education, and construction management. Potential doctorate students may also pursue a degree in technical education and career through this hybrid program.
All online students have their program director and adviser. They gain access to library aid, student billing, and financial aid. About 99% of students enrolled in the university’s online programs have obtained transfer credits from other academic institutions. They have access to free online tutorials and writing laboratories. Tutors help students excel in various subject areas.
Aside from online programs, UW-Stout also provides hybrid learning alternatives. Distance learners have bachelor’s degree program options that include Family Studies and Human Development, Marketing and Business Education, and Information and Communication Technologies.
Location: Menomonie, Wisconsin
Admission Requirements:
- Portfolio and essay
- SAT and ACT scores
- Official high school transcripts
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the Higher Learning Commission
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is consistently ranked as a top Midwestern university. It takes pride in its top-quality academics and high job placement rates. The university’s degree programs highlight student-teacher collaboration to motivate students to explore their passion and help steer their academic aspirations and efforts in the right direction.
UWEC Online, which is one of the best online universities and colleges in Wisconsin, has numerous online degree specializations. These include undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Disorders and Communication Sciences, a Master of Data Science, and a Master of Business Administration. Students can opt for certificate programs and coursework through UWEC Online, which also features academic advising and career services.
Several programs within the university hold programmatic accreditation from specialty agencies like the American Chemical Society, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Council on Social Work Education, and the Wisconsin Nurses Association.
Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
- University Writing Requirement (grade of C or higher)
- University Mathematics Requirement (grade of C or higher)
- Completion of an introductory education course with a field placement
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the Higher Learning Commission
Wisconsin is part of the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) that allows students from North Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Kansas, and Illinois to attend Wisconsin academic institutions at a decreased tuition rate. Participated by about 100 colleges and universities, this program requires public universities and colleges to set standard in-state tuition for MSEP students and orders private academic institutions to offer a 10% discount.
There is one in about four Wisconsin adults that have earned a bachelor’s degree. In an effort to attract more enrollees, the University of Wisconsin launched its e-Campus program. This program features online degree programs in four-year colleges and 26 two-year colleges in the state. The Flex option, on the other hand, is designed for working adults who can study online and earn an online degree at an accelerated pace.
Out of the country’s 20 million college students, about 341,000 are enrolled in degree-granting academic institutions in Wisconsin. The state’s public school tuition rates are lower than the national average. For the academic year 2018 to 2020, public school students in Wisconsin were charged $9,080 for in-state tuition and fees, and at least $22,000 in out-of-state tuition.
Within 2015 and 2016, Wisconsin spent more than $123 million for need-based grants, $3 million for merit-based academic excellence scholarships, and $190,000 for special-objective programs.
METHODOLOGY
Affordability matters! In fact, it is a primary consideration for attending an online college. In Wisconsin, many affordable online programs are available, but sorting through them all can be quite taxing. By coming up with the 5 Best Value Online Schools in Wisconsin, we hope to help you obtain the online degree of your choice without having to spend beyond your budget.
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Established in 1916, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a public liberal arts university that is a part of the University of Wisconsin System. The university owns 28 buildings spanning 333 acres of land, with an environmental research facility sitting on its 168-acre property.
The university features an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. Three certificate and professional specialist programs are also available, with more than 300 non-credit programs offered through the Ed2go collaboration. Virtual learning sessions are held on the D2L platform, and lectures are delivered through the Kaltura video and recording software. Online students have the privilege to go on free one-on-one software training featuring Weebly, Microsoft, and Adobe from the Learning and Technology Services Training Center. Online program completion typically takes about one to three years.
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is part of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement through the Midwestern Higher Education Compact. The SARA grants degree reciprocity to students living in other states. Tuition is $637 per credit hour.
Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
- University Writing Requirement (grade of C or higher)
- University Mathematics Requirement (grade of C or higher)
- Completion of an introductory education course with a field placement
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the Higher Learning Commission
University of Wisconsin-Stout
During the year 2016, the University of Wisconsin-Stout’s online collegiate population represented students from 20 countries and 49 states. The average age of online learners was 36.
The university’s online course offerings include family and consumer sciences, digital marketing and marketing technology, management, career, and technical knowledge and training. Coursework is offered in an asynchronous format. Online Students are advised to check their discussion boards and interactive assignments on schedule. They have access to the “fetch it for me” service and online library, which features a simplified document and book exchange.
Online students are qualified to apply to the university’s Customized Instruction (CI) Scholarships. The university features diverse teaching methods and new courses on a regular basis. Currently, their latest offering is the English as a Second Language Institute, which is an integral part of foreign student’s coursework.
The tuition at University of Wisconsin-Stout is $581 per credit hour. Online students typically receive discounts of 70% when purchasing and using Microsoft, Acrobat, and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Location: Menomonie, Wisconsin
Admission Requirements:
- Portfolio and essay
- SAT and ACT scores
- Official high school transcripts
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the Higher Learning Commission
Concordia University-Wisconsin
One of Wisconsin’s massive online universities and colleges offering about 40 degree programs in 10 academic domains is Concordia University-Wisconsin. Undergraduate degree programs are designed for new and transfer students, as well as those seeking degree completion.
The university is associated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and features online programs in its Michigan campus Concordia University-Ann Arbor that averages 2,400 online student enrollees annually. The university also maintains a Digital Influencer Academy for professionals looking to establish personal branding. Concordia University is also one of the members of the Competency-Based Education Network (CBEN), and works with 30 other academic institutions in the country to introduce learning innovations in the educational system.
Online students in Concordia enjoy the school’s distance education center. All online coursework for certificate, undergraduate, and master’s programs may be accessed through the online system.
The CUW School of Pharmacy is one of the university’s popular colleges. One of only two pharmacy schools in Wisconsin, the university enrolls more students. The university also runs five other schools featuring on-campus and online degree programs. The tuition rate averages $618 per credit hour.
Location: Mequon, Wisconsin
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- English Language Proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE)
- GRE or GMAT not required
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the Higher Learning Commission
Viterbo University
Viterbo University has about seven undergraduate online degree programs in high-demand places. Being one of the top online academic institutions in Wisconsin, Viterbo University is a Franciscan university that offers liberal arts education since 1890. Among its core values are stewardship, integrity, hospitality, contemplation, and service in campus and curriculum communities. The university also offers students with about 70 bachelor’s degree programs, four master’s degrees and one doctorate.
Students may access the school’s free online tutorials through Smarthinking services featuring Personalized Content, Writing, and Math as subjects. The school’s online coursework features an accelerated eight-week format, and numerous programs can be completed in two years. Online students at Viterbo attend full-time or part-time schooling and enjoy the benefits of personalized advising services.
About 98% of the online student population in Viterbo has obtained financial aid or academic scholarships. On-campus and online students pay the same tuition and fees. For the school year 2018 to 2020, the rate is $470 per credit.
Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 2.25
- Official high school transcripts
- SAT or ACT scores
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the Higher Learning Commission
Marian University of Wisconsin
Previously known as the Marian College of Fond du Lac, the Marian University of Wisconsin is a Roman Catholic liberal arts university founded in 1936. It consists of 200 staff and 2,000 students attending per semester. It is known for its robust degree programs and courses.
Marian University runs their Educational Technology, Religious Education, Special Education, At-Risk and Alternative Education, Nurse Educator Certificate, Psychology, Community Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, RN to BSN, Criminal Justice, and Business Administration degree courses through its e-Learning platform.
Most of the students attending the university are women, but men also enroll in several program offerings. The tuition rate is $450 per credit hour.
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Admission Requirements:
- GPA of 2.0
- ACT and SAT Scores
- Official high school transcripts
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary School
