Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin for 2023

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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.

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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:

  • Average Graduate Salary
  • Graduation Rate
  • Net Price
  • Reputation
  • Retention Rate
  • Student-to-Faculty Ratio

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What are the Best Online Associate & Community College Programs in Wisconsin?

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Wisconsin is home to many institutions offering online community college programs. These schools are typically accredited to award associate degrees over a wide selection of major and minor subjects. While students will have numerous programs to choose from, some fields are less suited to distance learning than others. Additionally, there are many professions that require candidates have more than two years of higher education to qualify for employment.

Still, distance learning programs of this kind can be extremely beneficial. For several industries, associate degrees can lead to entry-level positions. Alternatively, graduates can use the credits earned to jumpstart an in-person or online bachelor’s degrees. It’s possible to transfer credits from accredited colleges and universities and, in most cases, those with associate degrees can enter these programs as juniors instead of freshmen.

Online community college programs may be preferred for several reasons, including scheduling flexibility. In addition to offering daytime and evening courses, remote learning makes it possible to attend lectures and complete classwork from anywhere with internet access. These institutions are also known for offering lower tuition and fee rates than traditional four-year schools.

Fox Valley Technical College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
11,711		 Graduation Rate
55%		 Net Price
$10,804		 Grads Salary
$41,100
Northwood Technical College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
2,818		 Graduation Rate
63%		 Net Price
$9,803		 Grads Salary
$37,100
Lakeshore Technical College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
2,420		 Graduation Rate
51%		 Net Price
$8,495		 Grads Salary
$39,300
Moraine Park Technical College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
2,654		 Graduation Rate
54%		 Net Price
$9,072		 Grads Salary
$38,800
Western Technical College-La Crosse
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
4,240		 Graduation Rate
49%		 Net Price
$9,188		 Grads Salary
$40,372
Chippewa Valley Technical College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
7,367		 Graduation Rate
47%		 Net Price
$10,050		 Grads Salary
$41,900
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
2,581		 Graduation Rate
55%		 Net Price
$10,115		 Grads Salary
$37,200
Nicolet College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
1,236		 Graduation Rate
50%		 Net Price
$7,414		 Grads Salary
$35,700
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
10,763		 Graduation Rate
43%		 Net Price
$10,207		 Grads Salary
$38,600
Waukesha County Technical College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
6,952		 Graduation Rate
40%		 Net Price
$9,714		 Grads Salary
$38,952
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What are the Best Online Universities & College Programs in Wisconsin?

Best Online Colleges In Wisconsin
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There are also many good online college programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels available in Wisconsin. Many four-year institutions have robust distance learning options that can lead to academic degrees and professional certificates. While subjects are often limited to those that can be successfully taught remotely, there are still many majors and minors to choose from.

Prospective students may be drawn to the online degree programs in Wisconsin for many reasons. Flexible scheduling, lower tuition rates, and the ability to complete coursework from anywhere with internet access makes these programs highly viable options. They are particularly optimal for non-traditional students who are unable to attend classes in-person. Distance learning allows them to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in their future educational and professional endeavors.

Graduation requirements can vary, but most programs help students obtain the qualifications necessary to enter the workforce or enroll in more advanced degree programs.

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University of Wisconsin-Madison
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
44,640		 Graduation Rate
88%		 Net Price
$14,030		 Grads Salary
$76,000
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
10,531		 Graduation Rate
71%		 Net Price
$12,302		 Grads Salary
$63,000
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
11,017		 Graduation Rate
65%		 Net Price
$14,276		 Grads Salary
$67,000
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
11,989		 Graduation Rate
62%		 Net Price
$12,522		 Grads Salary
$65,000
Cardinal Stritch University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Student Population
1,646		 Graduation Rate
53%		 Net Price
$17,698		 Grads Salary
$74,000
University of Wisconsin-Stout
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
7,970		 Graduation Rate
60%		 Net Price
$14,951		 Grads Salary
$66,000
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
7,547		 Graduation Rate
56%		 Net Price
$14,706		 Grads Salary
$68,000
Marquette University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Student Population
11,550		 Graduation Rate
84%		 Net Price
$34,732		 Grads Salary
$77,000
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
15,314		 Graduation Rate
56%		 Net Price
$12,278		 Grads Salary
$64,000
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
8,954		 Graduation Rate
57%		 Net Price
$11,656		 Grads Salary
$62,000
Full Ranking Report

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