As more students and working professionals seek flexible ways to advance their education, online colleges in Wisconsin are becoming increasingly popular. This guide highlights the best online colleges in the state, providing a detailed look at programs, support services, and career outcomes. The goal is to help prospective students identify reputable schools that match their goals and schedules without compromising on quality.
Many programs now offer the same faculty, curriculum, and academic standards as their on-campus counterparts. From bachelor’s degrees to graduate programs and professional certificates, online colleges provide a convenient path for students balancing work, family, or other commitments while still pursuing meaningful credentials.
A strong online college combines accreditation, a range of programs, academic support, and opportunities for career advancement. Students should look for schools that offer resources such as dedicated online advisors, virtual libraries, and networking opportunities to ensure their learning experience is comprehensive and engaging.
To compile this list, we relied on respected rankings, school websites, and verified student outcomes. Our focus was on identifying programs that provide credibility, flexibility, and a breadth of courses to suit diverse student needs. Explore the top online colleges in Wisconsin below.
Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin
1. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) – Online
UWM Online offers more than 53 online programs, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as professional certificates. Their offerings include flexible bachelor’s degree completion pathways (for example, RNs can build on their credentials), a biomedical sciences degree, and information science & technology programs.
They also run non-credit online courses for professional development. UWM’s Flexible Option is especially useful; it lets students turn prior experience into college credit, speeding up graduation. On the cost side, UWM Online tries to keep things affordable: tuition is competitive, many online students qualify for scholarships, and financial aid is available.
2. Marquette University – Online
Marquette’s online division is designed for working adults who want a meaningful, purpose-driven education. They provide graduate degree programs and certificates. For instance, they offer a 100% online MBA taught by the same faculty as the campus program.
Their Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s program includes a practicum and internship in local communities, so you get real-world training even while online. Marquette makes sure online students feel supported: they have student success coordinators, academic advisors, and virtual career services.
Because it’s a Jesuit university, there’s also a strong ethic of leadership and service woven into the programs. For accreditation, Marquette’s MBA is AACSB-accredited, which is a top standard for business schools.
3. Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) – Online
Concordia University Wisconsin offers a very wide range of online programs; 71 different programs are available via distance learning. These include associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorates, and post-master’s certificates.
The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, so its degrees are broadly recognized. Tuition for undergrad online students is about $35,470, while graduate programs cost around $13,260 per year. CUW’s financial aid is quite flexible: online students can apply for federal loans, and there are scholarships and payment plans to make things more manageable.
Some programs are very career-focused: for instance, their Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is mostly online, but requires one weekend per month on campus.
4. University of Wisconsin–Parkside (UW‑Parkside) – Online
UW‑Parkside’s online offerings are designed for working adults and busy students. Their 100% online programs include both undergraduate and graduate degrees, plus certificates. You can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Management (General Business) fully online. The program is AACSB‑accredited, which is a strong sign of quality.
Tuition is $471 per credit hour, and they accept up to 90 transfer credits, so it’s quite flexible. For graduate students, UW‑Parkside offers an MBA that can be completed fully online, with multiple start dates and a variety of concentrations like Accounting and Data Analytics.
They also have six-month certificate programs in areas like Human Resource Management, Marketing, Project Management, and Supply Chain Management, which are great for upskilling. The school is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
5. University of Wisconsin–Whitewater (UW‑Whitewater) – Online
UW‑Whitewater offers a solid set of online business programs, designed for flexibility and professional relevance. Their Online Bachelor’s in Management (BBA) is fully online, 120 credits, and taught by the same faculty as on campus. Courses cover leadership, business strategy, motivation, ethics, and managing teams, so you graduate ready to work in corporate, nonprofit, or government roles.
The program is AACSB‑accredited, which means it’s held to high standards for business education. Another online option is their General Business BBA, which gives students a broad foundation in business areas like accounting, finance, marketing, and economics. The tuition for the online bachelor’s program is very reasonable: it starts at $425 per credit for 2025‑26, and that rate applies to all students in declared online majors.
UW‑Whitewater is regionally accredited, and its business school (College of Business & Economics) holds AACSB accreditation.
Frequently Asked Questions – Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin
1. Which online colleges in Wisconsin offer the most flexible programs for working adults?
Several schools in Wisconsin prioritize flexibility for online students. For example, the UW MBA Consortium (including UW–Eau Claire, UW–Oshkosh, and UW–UW-Parkside) offers fully asynchronous MBA programs that allow students to complete coursework at their own pace.
Concordia University Wisconsin provides weekend and accelerated formats for certain programs, while UWM’s Flexible Option allows students to earn credit for prior learning, speeding up graduation.
2. What online programs in Wisconsin are most lucrative for careers after graduation?
Some of the most in-demand and high-paying online programs in Wisconsin include business, computer science, nursing, and healthcare administration. For instance, graduates of UW–Madison’s online Master’s in Education can earn a starting salary of around $60,000, while those completing Concordia University Wisconsin’s Doctor of Physical Therapy online program often see early-career salaries exceeding $70,000.
Business and MBA graduates from UW–UW-Whitewater and Marquette also frequently move into management roles, with median starting salaries between $65,000–$75,000.
3. How reputable are Wisconsin’s online colleges and their accreditation?
All of the top online colleges in Wisconsin are regionally accredited, which is the most recognized form of accreditation in the U.S. For example, UW–UW-Milwaukee, UW–UW-Parkside, UW–Whitewater, and UW–Eau Claire are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Marquette University holds regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and AACSB accreditation for its business programs. Concordia University Wisconsin is also HLC-accredited.
4. Are online students in Wisconsin achieving similar outcomes as on-campus students?
Yes. Many online programs in Wisconsin maintain the same faculty and curriculum as on-campus offerings. For example, UW–UW-Milwaukee reports that online students in bachelor’s programs have a graduation rate of around 70%, which is comparable to some on-campus programs.
The UW MBA Consortium reports that over 90% of online MBA graduates secure employment within six months of completing the program. These stats suggest that online degrees from these schools are both credible and effective in preparing students for the workforce.
5. Can I transfer credits or apply prior experience toward online degrees in Wisconsin?
Yes. Most online colleges in Wisconsin offer transfer options or recognize prior learning. For instance, UWM’s Flexible Option allows students to earn credit for prior work experience, certifications, or military service.
UW–Parkside accepts up to 90 transfer credits toward its online bachelor’s degrees. Concordia University Wisconsin and UW-Whitewater also provide policies for transferring coursework from accredited institutions, enabling students to reduce time and cost while completing their degree.