Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin of 2025

University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs in Wisconsin.

Featured Online Programs

Are you considering one or more online colleges in Wisconsin? The state is home to many higher education institutions that offer solutions for distance learners. Prospective students will have little difficulty finding academic programs available at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Some professional certificate programs are also offered remotely.

In general, most majors and minors are available online. However, it’s important to note that online learning is not available for all subjects and degree types. Some content areas require at least some in-person instruction. In these cases, hybrid programs may be the best solution, as these consist of primarily remote classes with periodic on-campus residencies.

Opportunities vary based on the degree obtained, as well as the field selected. As of March 2022, Wisconsin’s civilian labor force was 3,144,673. Of those, 3,056,157 were employed, leaving 88,516 without jobs. This makes the state’s unemployment rate 2.8%, which is down significantly from a high of 14.1% in April 2020. In fact, this is the lowest unemployment rate recorded in in the state since at least 2012.

As of May 2021, Wisconsin had a mean hourly wage of $25.54 and an annual mean wage of $53,120. While this is slightly below the national average of $56,310 for all occupations, those who obtain degrees are likely to have better employment and pay prospects than those who do not.

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Online Higher Education in Wisconsin

As of the 2021-2022 academic year, the total student population in Wisconsin was 320,411. This includes 280,821 undergraduate and 35,590 graduate school students. Overall, most students utilize online education to some extent. A total of 109,629 students are enrolled in online classes exclusively, while an additional 125,955 students are enrolled in some online classes. This means over 73% of undergraduate and graduate students will take at least one online course during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Notably, the cost of education in Wisconsin is relatively low when compared to other states. The average amount residents can expected to spend on tuition and fees in 2022 is $6,355. The average cost is for non-residents is higher, but still reasonable. These students will pay an average of $11,446.

Find Your Online Wisconsin Program

In addition to tuition and fees, students will need to pay for room, board, books, and supplies. In 2022, the average living costs for on-campus students staying in dormitories or college apartments is $12,518. Students living off campus will pay slightly less, with an average of $12,347. The average cost of books and supplies in 2022 is $1,230. Notably, while most other states have seen a sharp increase in the cost of books and supplies, this expense has remained relatively consistent in Wisconsin. The cost even decreased between 2020 and 2021.

It's worth mentioning that many colleges and universities set lower tuition and fee rates for remote learners, which can make enrolling in online programs less expensive. Distance learners also do not need to pay for parking passes or student activity fees. Additionally, while circumstances vary, living at home with parents or sharing a residence with friends can decrease the overall cost of food and housing. This is especially true for some institutions that charge particularly high room and board fees.

Prospective students should also take advantage of various financial aid options available. Everyone interested in higher education should complete and submit FAFSAs, which will determine grant and scholarship eligibility. Distance learners can also apply for third-party scholarships and loans.

Our School Rankings Methodology

College and university rankings often serve as a helpful resource for those looking for applicable degree programs. In fact, the information provided is meant to make comparing and contrasting options much easier. With so many institutions in the state, thoroughly researching every option would be a significant undertaking. Instead, prospective students can utilize our rankings to quickly discover which colleges and universities offer the best online programs with good value and strong financial stability.

Our goal is to provide a list of top colleges and universities offering reputable online programs in Wisconsin. We work hard to ensure that the data provided can be utilized by students of all types, helping them make the most informed decisions possible. By using a proprietary rankings system, our team delivers results that are accurate and reliable. Additionally, we only consider institutions that are properly accredited.

Some of the data types utilized to generate our rankings include: