Online education is on the rise in Wisconsin. According to the Distance Education State Almanac 2017, the number of Wisconsin students taking at least one online course rose by 13% from 2012-2015. A quarter of Wisconsin's college students take at least one online course, and 10% take all of their courses online. Additionally, most students enrolled in Wisconsin state schools take at least one course online. The state's support of distance education has resulted in tremendous growth in the number of online students at public institutions. Public schools claim the top 10 spots for distance enrollment in Wisconsin, and eight of the top 10 slots for the greatest growth in online enrollment.
Use this guide to begin your exploration of online colleges in Wisconsin. Check below for an overview of online education in the state, as well as our rankings of the most affordable and best online colleges in Wisconsin. You can also read about practical financial information, such as ways to help pay for college and the job outlook in Wisconsin.
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Overview of Online Colleges in Wisconsin
A Brief Overview of Higher Education in Wisconsin
Wisconsin boasts 84 degree-granting institutions, including 31 public schools. Of these public schools, 14 offer four-year degrees, while the remaining 17 offer two-year degrees. One of the nation's largest public university systems, the University of Wisconsin system serves more than 170,000 students through its 26 campuses with an annual budget of $6 billion. Classified as research universities, this system's Madison and Milwaukee campuses offer advanced graduate degrees and research opportunities. Thirty four-year nonprofit schools also call Wisconsin home, as do 23 for-profit schools.[dataviz-stats public="34" non-profit="30" for-profit="23"]Of the country's nearly 20 million college students, more than 341,000 attend degree-granting schools in Wisconsin. The state boasts public school tuition rates below the national average. For the 2018-19 school year, Wisconsin students attending public colleges paid an average of $9,080 for in-state tuition and fees and more than $22,000 for out-of-state tuition. Wisconsin's highly ranked flagship university — the University of Wisconsin-Madison — charged $10,555 for in-state tuition and $36,805 for out-of-state tuition.Wisconsin provides millions of dollars in state financial aid to assist college students. The state distributed more than $123 million in need-based grants in 2015-16 and nearly $3 million in merit-based excellence scholarships and $190,000 in special-purpose programs.
Higher Education in Wisconsin
Featured Online Programs
The State of Online Higher Education in Wisconsin
According to the Distance Education State Almanac 2017, 25% of Wisconsin college students take at least one online course. This figure rose significantly from 2012-2015 but remains lower than the national average of 30%. Wisconsin's online students span the spectrum of degree levels, with 12% going to graduate school and 40% attending two-year colleges. Ten percent of Wisconsin's students take all of their courses online, although this number ranks below the national average of 14%. Of these students, most (77.5%) qualify as undergraduates. Nationwide, just over half of online students (55%) take courses at schools in their home state; however, in Wisconsin, this figure is much higher (74%).[dataviz-nces online="7.6" undergrad="77.5" in-state="74"]The University of Wisconsin system is especially supportive of distance education for those seeking to attend a Wisconsin online college. The system provides more than 150 degrees and certificates through its eCampus. About 84% of individuals attending Wisconsin's state schools take at least one online course. UW-Milwaukee serves the largest number of students taking online courses in the state, while UW-Madison showed the state's largest growth in students taking online courses. UW-Madison also hosts an annual Distance Teaching and Learning Conference that provides professional development and networking opportunities to distance educators.
Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
Wisconsin stands as one of 10 states that participates in the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC). More than 100 schools in participating states voluntarily offer discounted tuition rates to students from the other participating states. In addition to Wisconsin, these other states include Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Ohio. Through MHEC's Midwest Student Exchange Program, participating public schools (including some of the best online colleges in Wisconsin) agree to charge residents of these other Midwestern states no more than 1.5 times the in-state tuition rate. Additionally, private schools agree to cut tuition by 10% for qualifying students.Wisconsin also maintains a long-standing reciprocity agreement with Minnesota. According to this agreement, Minnesota residents can pay in-state tuition rates at Wisconsin public schools. Because some schools create their own reciprocity agreements or offer tuition discounts to out-of-state students, make sure to check with potential schools to learn about potential tuition breaks.
Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin
Read on to find our rankings of the best online four-year programs in Wisconsin. Our profiles look at how schools approach online education and then list services for distance students and popular, fully online degrees. After reviewing the best online schools in Wisconsin, you can also explore our state resources, such as a database of every college and university in Wisconsin and our index of popular in-state scholarships.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the best online colleges in each state, we examined the factors most important to prospective students: Academic quality and reputation, online program strength, and cost and student aid. At the most basic level, we use the following formula to determine the best online colleges: Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score. Of course, there's more to these calculations than meets the eye. Visit our methodology page to discover the data points that shape our formula and to learn more about the process we use to rank schools.
Most Affordable Online Colleges in Wisconsin
See below for a list of the most affordable online schools in Wisconsin, ranked and ordered by tuition cost.
Affordability Methodology
Our list of the most affordable online schools in Wisconsin is based on in-state yearly tuition, or annual tuition rates if a school does not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition rates are based on a full course load each semester or term. All colleges on the list offer at least one bachelor's degree completion program available entirely online.The online schools in WI with the lowest tuition are ranked highest, providing prospective students with a true list of the most affordable online colleges in the state.
College Graduate Outlook in Wisconsin
Job Outlook for College Graduates in Wisconsin
Wisconsin online college courses prepare graduates to enter a stable job market boasting many growing industries. Wisconsin maintains a low unemployment rate of 3% and a mean annual wage for all occupations of $46,270.According to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, many of Wisconsin's top industries benefit from the state's natural and agricultural resources, while others relate to the state's support of manufacturing and industry. Wisconsin's freshwater surplus has created a booming water technology industry that employs 37,000 workers at more than 200 companies. The state's forests make Wisconsin a top forest industry state and paper producer.Wisconsin is also experiencing growth in manufacturing and industry, with more than 44,000 industry jobs at 1,900 companies. Known for producing cheese and developing sustainable approaches to agriculture, Wisconsin ranks as a top producer of organic corn, oats, and beans. The state also hosts a thriving food and beverage industry. Home to respected research universities, Wisconsin provides opportunities for STEM grads, aspiring engineers, and individuals seeking to perform research and development in industry or academia.