Colleges in Wisconsin

UW-Green Bay is a public university in the UW system that serves more than 6,000 students each year. The school was founded in the 1960s and initially emphasized environmental science, but has since broadened its academic catalog. UW-Green Bay is one of the top-ranking online colleges in Wisconsin, offering a wide variety of bachelor's and master's distance learning programs.

Students can earn a bachelor's in business administration or master's in sustainable management online at UW-Green Bay. UW-Green Bay takes part in the Midwest Student Exchange Program, allowing Wisconsin students to study in seven other regional states. All online students pay the same tuition, regardless of residency. UW-Green Bay is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

UW-La Crosse is located on the banks of the Mississippi River and serves more than 10,000 students each year. This school is a comprehensive institution and a member of the UW system. The school offers more than 100 undergraduate degrees online, as well as a variety of graduate programs. These programs cover several topics, including student affairs administration, data science, and education.

UW-La Crosse is part of a local consortium that includes Viterbo College, Western Technical College, and Gunderson Lutheran Medical Center. Classes are delivered asynchronously through Desire2Learn, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace. UW-La Crosse is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

UW-Eau Claire, located in Northwest Wisconsin, is a public liberal arts university that serves more than 11,000 students each year. On-campus students are required to fulfill a service learning requirement and work in the Eau Claire community. Part of UW-Eau Claire’s campus is 168 acres of forest used for environmental research. The school is also well-known for its jazz band and special musical collections.

UW-Eau Claire has also emerged as one of the best online colleges in Wisconsin, featuring a nursing bachelor’s program and six graduate degrees including one in data science. Distance learners at UW-Eau Claire can take advantage of the school’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for academic help. Courses are delivered through Desire2Learn. UW-Eau Claire is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

UW Platteville, located in southwest Wisconsin, serves over 11,000 students each year, 3,000 of whom are distance learners. The school has been offering distance learning programs since the 1970s, long before online courses. These print-based courses were adapted to online programs in the 1990s and designed for working adult students. UW-Platteville is one of the best online schools in Wisconsin and offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate distance learning programs.

There are five master’s degrees and two bachelor’s programs online at UW-Platteville that cover subjects like business administration, criminal justice, and engineering. UW-Platteville's online programs emphasize professional development and allow students to receive experiential credit from their past relevant experiences. Applicants can apply online through UW's system, which does not include any exam requirements. UW-Platteville is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

UW-Whitewater is a public state school that was founded in the 1860s as a college for teachers. Today, the school serves more than 12,000 students each year and offers a wide range of programs both on-campus and online. The school offers seven online undergraduate degrees on subjects such as law enforcement, political science, and marketing. Students can also pursue one of four online graduate degrees.

The cost of textbook rental is included in undergraduate tuition rates, and students have access to financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans. Each online program has its own admission requirements, though many of them use a weighted formula to combine GPA and standardized test scores. UW-Whitewater is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

UW-Oshkosh is one of the best online schools in Wisconsin. This state university serves more than 14,000 students each year online and on its scenic campus, which is best known for its Gothic architecture. The school offers nine undergraduate and three graduate degrees online on subjects like public administration, sustainable management, and aviation management. These programs are taught asynchronously online, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace. UW-Oshkosh is friendly to transfer students, allowing them to transfer up to 90 credits from other accredited institutions. All online students pay the same tuition rates, regardless of residency. UW-Oshkosh is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Located in central Wisconsin, UW-Stevens Point is surrounded by a pleasant college town instead of major cities. UW-Stevens Point began as a teaching school and expanded following World War II to become a liberal arts state college. The school offers a variety of associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees that can be completed entirely online. There are also several non-credit courses available.

UW-Stevens Point is consistently rated as one of the best online colleges in Wisconsin, offering distance learning programs in a number of fields. For example, the school offers a bachelor's degree in applied computing, a master's degree in natural resources, and a variety of teaching certificates. UW-Stevens Point is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Marian is a private university located in Fond du Lac that serves more than 2,000 students each year. Marian changed its name from college to university in 2008 to reflect its larger academic offerings. This Roman Catholic university only offers a small number of major on-campus, with the majority of its programs delivered online. Students can choose from nine undergraduate and eight graduate degrees online on subjects such as psychology, homeland security, and religious education.

These programs are ideal for adult learners and include an admission process that allows students to transfer credit earned at other accredited institutions as long as it was earned with a "C" grade or higher. All online students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of residency. Marian is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Stritch is a private Catholic university that was started by nuns to improve literacy in the Milwaukee area. The school has several satellite locations throughout the state and offers several online degrees. Stritch offers bachelor's programs in business, nursing, management, and respiratory therapy, as well as a variety of graduate degrees.

All online students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of residency. However, these base rates may vary from program to program. Admissions requirements also change depending on the program. The school boasts that its online courses allow faculty to provide each student with more individual attention than they would receive in an on-campus class. Stritch is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

UW-River Falls is a mid-sized public university located in western Wisconsin on the Kinnickinnic RIver. The school offers more than 40 majors and confers both bachelor's and master's degrees. It is widely known for its environmental activities and has two farms on campus that are used to conduct research. The university is also home to the St. Croix Institute for Sustainable Community Development.

UW-River Falls is considered one of the top online schools in Wisconsin in part because it offers degree completion programs for bachelor's degrees and professional development options. These degree completion programs are ideal for adult students who already have some college experience who want to learn more about applied computing, wellness management, or sustainable management. UW-River Falls is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

UW-Superior is a public state university that serves more than 2,500 students each year. The school offers a variety of bachelor's degrees online, on subjects such as community health, exercise science, and business. Unlike other online colleges in Wisconsin, UW-Superior offers its online classes during traditional academic terms. Some of these programs include courses taught on campus in Superior. Distance learners at UW-Superior are taught using the same course materials as on-campus students.

The school boasts a number of notable alumni, including Arnold Schwarzenegger. The action star and former governor studied in UW-Superior's online programs during the 1970s. Applicants must submit official transcripts from all previous institutions and have completed at least 12 credits of prior college coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.0 to be considered. UW-Superior is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Lakeland, located in Plymouth, is one of the best online colleges in Wisconsin that offers both graduate and undergraduate degrees remotely. The school was formerly known as Lakeland College until 2016 and is associated with the United Church of Christ. Lakeland features a number of satellite campuses throughout the state and boasts an expansive Evening, Weekend, and Online program that allows adult students to earn degrees on a flexible schedule.

The school lets students transfer up to 72 credits from another accredited institution towards their degree, allowing them to begin their studies with junior status. Freshman and transfer applications must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 to be considered. Lakeland is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Northland is a private liberal arts college that is located in Ashland and is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. It is one of the best online colleges in Wisconsin emphasizing environmental issues and sustainability. In fact, Northland is part of the Eco League with four other schools, including Green Mountain College. Eco League schools expand sustainability causes through faculty collaboration, student exchanges, and shared academic programs.

Online students at Northland can earn a degree on a variety of subjects, such as digital marketing, machine technology, and medical office specialization. These courses are taught through Desire2Learn, allowing students to access course materials 24/7. Northland is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

UW-Milwaukee is the second largest university of the UW system and the only other research university, except for Madison. This R1 research university offers nearly 200 degree programs, including 33 doctoral options. Like many online schools in Wisconsin, UW-Milwaukee began as a teacher college. UW-Milwaukee has more than a dozen online class options for distance learners including undergraduate degrees in history, nursing, or biomedical studies.

Distance learners have access to several resources, including academic advising, online tutoring, and librarians who are specifically trained to assist online students. Online tuition is the same for all students, regardless of residency. However, the overall costs will vary from program to program. UW-Milwaukee is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

UW-Parkside is a four-year public university that was founded in 1968 in Somers. The school offers 33 undergraduate and three graduate programs to over 4,800 students each year both on-campus and online. UW-Parkside offers courses in both online and hybrid formats. Students can enroll in degree completion programs covering business management, health information management and technology, sociology, and sustainable management. The school recommends that students speak with an advisor regarding entry requirements. The UW Flexible Option program is also available, and allows students to earn credit based on competency instead of time spent in the classroom. Students can also complete a variety of noncredit courses online. UW-Parkside is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Based in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College primarily serves an 11-county area. The school operates three satellite campuses and four regional centers, as well as an extensive distance learning presence. CVTC offers programs in fields such as business management, human resources, liberal arts, early childhood education, and library and information services. Primarily catering to working professionals with significant obligations outside of academics, CVTC delivers all online coursework asynchronously. The school does not require online students to visit campus for any reason.

CVTC prides itself on its services for distance learners. The college provides technical support, credit for prior learning, and one-on-one counseling for students who return to school after a long time off.

When the state of Wisconsin encouraged cities to create vocational schools in the early 20th century, individual campuses appeared in Green Bay, Marinette, and Sturgeon Bay. Eventually, those three schools united under the banner of the Wisconsin technical college system to become Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Today, NWTC serves nine counties in the northeast portion of the state.

NWTC maintains one of the most extensive distance learning programs out of all online community colleges in Wisconsin. The school offers associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates. Online students can earn degrees in fields such as accounting, business management, gerontology, health information technology, and human resources. Distance learners never have to visit campus, although many programs require an in-person practicum or internship. NWTC delivers all online coursework asynchronously.

With more than 21,000 students, Gateway Technical College is one of the largest online community colleges in Wisconsin by enrollment. In addition to operating physical campuses in Racine, Kenosha, and Elkhorn, GTC maintains six regional learning centers and a distance learning arm. GTC offers online programs in fields such as accounting, information technology, hospitality management, and marketing.

GTC allows students to complete all of their coursework online without any on-campus requirements. Classes follow an asynchronous format. GTC is also particularly transfer-friendly, maintaining articulation agreements with 37 different four-year universities. The school maintains a particularly strong bond with University of Wisconsin - Parkside, which accepts students from many of GTC’s online programs, including accounting, IT, and marketing.

Unlike many other online community colleges in Wisconsin, MATC operates an urban campus in downtown Milwaukee. The college also maintains campuses in Mequon, West Allis, and Oak Creek. MATC serves Milwaukee county, Washington county, and the southern portion of Ozaukee county. Distance learners do not ever need to visit any of MATC’s campuses to earn an online degree.

The college currently offers online programs in fields such as accounting, business, entrepreneurship, marketing, sales, and social media strategy. These programs include associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates. Certain program may require some on-campus testing. MATC delivers coursework in an asynchronous format.