Best Online Colleges

A ranking of the best online colleges in Wisconsin. Ranked by affordability, flexibility, and academic quality.

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Are you considering a new future that will better or further your life?

Online learning can help you do both through the use of the internet and a computer, without stepping foot inside a classroom. Furthering your education has never been easier with the help of multiple accredited, highly prestigious colleges and universities now offering online classes for students that enroll with them. Each college and university has been thoroughly researched to ensure that the quality of their programs exceeds the student’s needs and wants from an e-learning platform.

Online learning provides students with a way to learn at their own pace, from home through a variety of different online classes. With the use of the classes, the student can then earn their degree without having to stop working or finding childcare. Some students prefer to go to an accredited college online to ensure that they can work without having to visit the college campus. Many opportunities are offered through top ranking colleges that provide both on-campus and online learning through their degree programs. However, it is important to note that for some degrees, on-campus classes may be required.

Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin Badge

What are the best online Wisconsin colleges?

Our rankings are achieved through three different components. We want to provide the high quality satisfaction that you expect. We rate based on institutional excellence, student satisfaction with the college and the return on investment. Using a variety of data points we are able to pinpoint which colleges are best suited for students. We use the graduation rate, reputation, students test scores upon entering, the student-to-faculty ratio and endowment of the college. These points allow us to choose which colleges meet the exceptional qualities that students look for when choosing which to pursue for their degrees.

Rankings

See our rankings methodology page.

  1. University of Wisconsin-Madison
    Location

    Madison, WI

    Tuition

    $16060

    Overview

    The University of Wisconsin-Madison started off as a land-grant university and has been in operation for more than 168 years. It s known as a leader in research today and during its time 38 separate Pulitzer Prize winners have attended the school. Located in the northern part of Wisconsin, the school offers a wide range of degree offerings to those seeking many different majors and minors.

    Program Features

    The University of Wisconsin-Madison provides a wide range of online courses for those seeking different majors, minors, continuing studies and others.

    Business Education Health and Teacher Certifications English Ethnic Studies Math and Science Social Science

    A handful of other majors are offered through the distance learning programs available through the e-learning classroom center.

    Notables

    A regionally accredited school, it is well-known by many large companies and corporations. Helping students achieve success, they ve been expanding their campuses, providing online courses and helping many students achieve their dreams and jobs through the power of learning with various tools and technology advancements. Each class is taught through a prestigious professor with years in the teaching industry, as well as working in their specific study program. This provides students with not only someone to look up too, but also a master at the particular topic that they re taking at the school.

  2. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
    Location

    La Crosse, WI

    Tuition

    $13326

    Overview

    Founded in 1909, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, provides notable majors and minors to students from all places of the country. It is a leading, comprehensive and accredited college offering four year degree plans for various course studies. Providing Bachelor s, Master s and two Doctoral Studies degrees. Organized into five different schools, the course offerings span a wide range, providing a different campus depending on the degree plan that the student chooses to sign up with.

    Program Features

    The OLC or Online Learning Courses provided through the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse are not extremely expansive, but they continue to improve their online school system through a series of trial and errors with students. Since online learning has gained popularity, they ve offered a few different options for those searching for online class options. While they do not offer full degrees through the OLC program, students in various majors and minors can opt to take their classes through the use of the OLC system once enrolled with their program. Some course offerings include:

    Math English Social Sciences Finance Business

    Notables

    Distinguished for the quality of the online education programs, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse offers free resources and guides to those interested in online learning, as well as enrolling within the school system. With a highly skilled sports team, the school continues to strive to be one of the top schools within the Wisconsin school system.

  3. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
    Location

    Eau Claire, WI

    Tuition

    $13281

    Overview

    A public liberal arts university located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, it was founded in 1916 and is part of the University of Wisconsin System. Offering both Bachelor s and Master s degrees, it is noted as a post baccalaureate comprehensive institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Consisting of 28 major buildings make up this campus spanning across 333 acres of land, with an extra 168 acres that is used for environmental research. Located in the Chippewa Valley, it is right next to the Chippewa River.

    Program Features

    The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire provides a number of degree options for those seeking an online learning environment. With both post and pre degrees, students can choose which one works the best depending on their unique situation. Some of the degree offerings online include:

    Bachelor s Degree in Nursing Master of Science in Data Science Master of Education Master of Business Administration Foundations of Business Certificate Communications Sciences Director of Special Education Continuing Education Online Courses

    Notables

    The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire welcomes a wide range of students from different backgrounds. They have high standards within their sports teams, being on the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. This is also the sit where Martin Luther Jr. made a speech to John F. Kennedy. Home to many turning points in history, memorials are set up around the campus that tells of each one.

  4. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
    Location

    Whitewater, WI

    Tuition

    $12000

    Overview

    The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is a four-year, residential college. Accredited through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, it is also part of the University of Wisconsin System. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, it holds spots for over 12,000 students each term. With over 45 majors and 13 graduate programs, it provides over a thousand courses to students wishing to take classes. Opened in 1868, it is an older college that has expanded throughout the years.

    Program Features

    Online degrees are offered to those students interested in distance learning. Both graduate and undergraduate programs are offered in their online course section. Students wishing to take online classes would have to enroll with the University prior to signing up for the degree program of choice. The degrees offered online include:

    MS in Environmental Safety and Health MBA Library Media Alternative Education Programs Licensure Business Marketing Liberal Studies Political Science Law Enforcement Bachelor Degree Program Early Childhood Education

    Notables

    On campus, there is a historic schoolhouse that first started the site for the current school s campus system. With a handful of student programs and a strong sports program, multiple students are dedicated to staying active within the University and their school courses. Academics programs offered by the school provide high honors, honors and other notable students with recognition throughout the year, including the online course students.

  5. Concordia University-Wisconsin
    Location

    Mequon, WI

    Tuition

    $23744

    Overview

    Concordia University Wisconsin is a private liberal arts college that is located in Mequon, Wisconsin. Part of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod system within Wisconsin, it provides students with the tools needed to succeed in life, including mind, body and spirit. Accredited through the NCA, it provides over 75 majors and minors, as well as 17 different graduate programs and adult education programs. They also provide 3 doctoral programs and e-learning programs for those interested in distant learning.

    Program Features

    With a full online learning center, students within to take both online courses or online degrees may pursue them through the student online center. All of the online courses are taken through their online system, with many different degree programs to choose from such as certificates, Associates, Bachelor s and Masters. Some of these offerings include:

    Business Nursing Criminal Justice Education Counseling Health Services Occupational Therapy Informational Technology Theology

    Notables

    One of the most prestigious and most known part of the college is the CUW School of Pharmacy. One of only two Pharmacy schools in Wisconsin, it yields a high number of student seeking this degree program. The university is organized into five different schools, and students seeking specific degree programs will find their program in one of the five.

  6. Viterbo University
    Location

    La Crosse, WI

    Tuition

    $18829

    Overview

    A private Roman Catholic and Franciscan liberal arts university, it is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Founded back in 1890, it currently has built onto the campus, providing students with over 70 undergraduate degree programs, four master s and one doctoral. A handful of associates and certification programs are also available. According to the U.S. News and World Report back in 2014, Viterbo was named as one of the top regional universities in the Midwest.

    Program Features

    Viterbo currently offers a few different distant learning e-degrees for those wishing to pursue a degree online. They have a dedicated online section to those learners, while also providing specific courses to other on-campus students that wish to take some of their classes online, rather then in the classroom setting. Some of the offerings include:

    Accounting BSN Completion Organizational Management Management Info Systems Associate of Arts and Science Healthcare Management Professional Studies MBA in Healthcare Leadership

    Notables

    With a large sports section, Viterbo likes to keep students involved with many sports and activities offered on the campus. Additionally, they recognize students that do well academically within the school. Growing with time, the school has only gained more recognition from other Wisconsin school systems and continues to strive to provide higher education learning levels for students going to school in the system.

  7. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
    Location

    Stevens Point, WI

    Tuition

    $11547

    Overview

    Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point offers many different degree programs for students that are looking to come to school with them. A public university that is part of the University of Wisconsin System, they have accredited programs of interest. They specialize in audiology, providing associates, bachelors and master degree options for the major. Opened in 1894, the school has since become a large part of the area with a sprawling campus and numerous classrooms, including an e-learning platform.

    Program Features

    Classes and entire courses are offered through the e-learning platform from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Depending on what classes you re taking, you may be able to take them online. If you re searching for a specific certification or degree, these can also be taken online, depending on what they are. The current list of offerings for degrees are:

    Health and Wellness Certificate Add-On Teaching Certifications Paralegal Certification Certificate in Project Management Health Information Management Technology Health and Wellness Management Business at Night American Studies RN to BSN 9 Doctoral and Master s Degree Programs (childhood education, health, sciences and more)

    Notables

    The campus houses four colleges, with the e-learning college provided through the internet. Three off-site satellite stations are provided for those learning in this particular field. The University also works with a steady stream of local businesses and places to ensure that students receive the best education possible. Some of the affiliates include the Museum of Natural History, Central Wisconsin Economic Research Bureau, Waste Education Center and the Allen F. Blocher Planetarium.

  8. Edgewood College
    Location

    Madison, WI

    Tuition

    $24148

    Overview

    Edgewood College is a private liberal arts college in the Dominican Catholic sector. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, it overlooks the shore banks of Lake Wingra and sits on just 55 acres of land. The college offers mostly undergraduate programs to students, but does have a handful of Master s programs for those seeking continuing education. The school is somewhat small, as compared to larger universities in the area but they do provide a large e-learning platform for students that wish to take distant learning.

    Program Features

    Edgewood College provides a large assortment of online classes and courses for students to take while distant learning. The online platform allows students to work at their own time and at their own pace. They offer a number of courses, such as:

    Business Master s Degrees Doctorate in Educational Leadership Teacher License in English or Bilingual Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Leadership

    Notables

    One of the most notable details about Edgewood College is that they have a student newspaper titled, On the Edge, which provides in depth information on what is going on throughout the campus. Edgewood College has struggled in the past to keep students enrolled within the programs they offer. However, with expansion, new students came providing the school with a way to reach out to even more. With a full student body of over 2,000 students, it continues to be a strong college.

  9. University of Wisconsin-Stout
    Location

    Menomonie, WI

    Tuition

    $13747

    Overview

    The University of Wisconsin-Stout is a University in the University of Wisconsin System. Enrolling close to 10,000 students, it is a four year college that is located in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Founded in 1891 and named after the founder, James Huff Stout, the college has a deep history behind it. Back in 2007, the University was designated the Wisconsin s Polytechnic University but the Board. This is because it provides focused programs relating to the field. With just under 100 degree offerings, it provides many options for students.

    Program Features

    The online sector of the University of Wisconsin-Stout provides mostly all of their degree options for those wishing to do distant learning. There is an online platform designed with students in mind, so that they re able to sign up for their courses without having to visit the campus in order to do so. Some of the course offerings for distant learning include:

    Career, Technical Education and Training Digital Marketing and Marketing Technology Management Family and Consumer Sciences

    Notables

    Once taught through the Manual Training Movement, the school developed a new system of teaching to ensure that students were getting the benefits of learning through a varied teaching method. They provide an English as a Second Language Institute, which is a big part of the college and the courses that they provide to the students, especially those coming from other countries for learning opportunities.

  10. University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
    Location

    Oshkosh, WI

    Tuition

    $12117

    Overview

    The third largest University in Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is part of the University of Wisconsin System. The enrollment is close to 14,000 students and counting. With bachelor s, master s and doctoral degrees, students can choose the career path that is for them. Opening in 1871, the school has since increased in size and became part of the system that provides even more benefits to keep the school running.

    Program Features

    The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh offers eight different online degree offerings. Currently, they do not offer others and continue to seek out ways to increase and improve their e-learning platform. Classes for other degrees are not offered on the online platform. Some of the offered degrees include:

    Leadership and Organizational Studies Fire and Emergency Response Management Aviation Management Public Safety Leadership Development Organizational Administration Criminal Justice Human Services

    Notables

    The site of riots, marches, and other movements, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh has an extensive historical heritage. The campus sits on 173 acres, providing enough space for the many opportunities at the school. On-campus housing is also available for students that wish to live on campus while taking their courses.

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