Colleges in Wisconsin
Why go to College in Wisconsin?
When you imagine the typical college town, you're probably picturing somewhere like Madison, Wisconsin. This lakeside city consistently ranks high on lists of the nation's best college towns and is home to the University of Wisconsin, one of the largest schools in the country. The school encapsulates everything that is great about going to school in Wisconsin: it's 930-acre campus sits on the shores of Lake Mendota and boasts many historic buildings, an impressive football stadium, and plentiful restaurants, shops, clubs, and bookstores in Madison.
What Options are Available for Colleges in Wisconsin?
On-Campus
Wisconsin is an attractive option for students who want to receive the traditional college experience. The University of Wisconsin is known for its vibrant campus life, Big Ten sports, strong academics, and prime location in Madison. Those who prefer a smaller, more intimate college experience with smaller class sizes may wish to study at Carroll University or Beloit College. Wisconsin also includes many specialty schools like the Madison Media Institute and the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Online Programs
Online education has become a staple in higher education over the past decade, with many colleges and universities recognizing the potential of virtual classrooms. Online courses are just as rigorous as their on-campus alternative and offer a great deal of flexibility for students. Most online colleges in Wisconsin typically deliver courses asynchronously, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace. This can make it much easier to enroll in a distance learning program while working full-time, serving in the military, or running a family. Since online students aren't limited to the schools in their immediate area, they have a much wider selection of programs that they can enroll in. Best of all, online education is typically cheaper than on-campus study because distance learners ignore key expenses like transportation and room and board.
Hybrid Programs
Some online schools in Wisconsin offer hybrid programs, which include a mixture of distance learning and on-campus study. These programs allow students to complete the bulk of their coursework online, but requires them to visit campus for the occasional residency, lab, or seminar. In a hybrid program, online students can actually receive face-to-face time with their instructors during their on-campus visits. Sometimes hybrid programs are a necessity, especially in fields that require a lot of hands-on experience. For example, students in medical classes can practice different techniques in person after learning about them during an online course. Many online schools in Wisconsin find that hybrid study is ideal for certain programs.
Popular Degree Programs in Wisconsin
Agriculture is one of the most important industries in Wisconsin. In fact, the state is first in the nation in the production of many dairy products, which represents more than 10% of the state's economic output. Wisconsin also ranks second in the nation for its number of small businesses, and as a result business administration programs are quite popular.
Agriculture Agriculture programs explore modern farming, including the best methods for growing, processing, and selling dairy, produce, and meat. The modern agriculture curriculum includes a fair amount of technological study and microeconomics. A degree in agriculture is ideal for those who want to run one of the state's 77,000 farms.
Business Management Business administration is one of the more popular majors in the country. These programs include the study of more than just economics and financial fitness, covering topics like communication and management that are attractive to businesses, nonprofits, and government sector employers.
What are the Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin?
Thanks to the University of Wisconsin System's eCampus, online education is blossoming in the state. As a member of the Midwest Student Exchange Program, Wisconsin provides its students with access to additional opportunities in ten nearby states. There are many factors that go into decide which of the online colleges in Wisconsin is best for you, including the availability of programs, cost, reputation, accreditation status, student services offered, and how long it takes to earn your degree. The following resource can help you narrow down your options and select the right online school for you.
Top 20 Online Colleges in Wisconsin for 2019
Admissions Rate
69%
Graduation Rate
44%
Online Enrollment
34%
Retention Rate
77%
Default Rate
1%
Maranatha Baptist University is a private Christian university located in Watertown that is associated with the Fundamentalist Baptist Church. It is one of the best online schools in Wisconsin and offers a variety of distance learning programs on subjects like theology, education, and business. MBU is also known for its prestigious music programs. The school features a symphonic band, symphonic orchestra, and three choirs on campus and offers degrees in church music.
These online programs are ideal for transfer students and allow students to access coursework through the MyMarantha portal. MBU uses a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous courses, depending of faculty preference. Classes are delivered in six-, eight- and 12-week terms. MBU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
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What are the Best Online Community Colleges in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin was one of the first states to devote significant resources into vocational schools and adult education. Today, Wisconsin is home to more than 50 community college campuses, many of which offer online programs. These two-year schools are truly vocational, providing the most direct route between education and career. Students learn practical, on-the-job skills in fields like nursing, emergency medicine, trades, cooking, and business that make them very attractive to employers right out of school.
Many online colleges in Wisconsin also offer liberal arts or general studies programs, which serve as the perfect stepping stone between high school and college study. In these programs, students can complete two years of general education coursework and then transfer these credits into a bachelor's program at a four-year university. Below, you'll find a list of some of the best online two-year programs in the state.
Top 9 Online Community Colleges in Wisconsin for 2019
Graduation Rate
46%
Online Enrollment
23%
Retention Rate
75%
Default Rate
12%
A member of the 16-school Wisconsin technical college system, Moraine Park Technical College operates campuses in Fond du Lac, West Bend, and Beaver Dam. The school maintains one of the most extensive distance learning presences out of all online community colleges in Wisconsin, offering 18 online associate degree and certificate programs . Students can complete many of these programs without ever visiting any of MPTC's campuses.
Since much of MPTC's online student body consists of working professionals, adults with families, or military members, the college delivers coursework asynchronously for flexible scheduling. MPTC maintains transfer agreements with most Wisconsin state schools and several private universities throughout the Midwest.
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Education Trends in Wisconsin
When it comes to education trends, Wisconsin bucks the conventional wisdom that you get what you pay for. The state spends significantly less on higher education per full-time student than the national average, yet it produces significantly more graduates with an associate or bachelor's degree. However, Wisconsin falls behind the rest of the country when it comes to graduates with a master's degree.
| Wisconsin | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $5,991 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 5.9% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 10.1% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 18.4% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 9.4% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in Wisconsin
Cost is undeniably one of the most important factors during the college selection process. Since no student wants to take on massive debt through loans, it becomes even more important to find a school that offers an affordable tuition rate. You must also remember the other costs associated with attending college, such as rent, food, textbooks, transportation, and other necessary expenses. Luckily, students have access to a wide variety of financial aid options to help offset these costs.
Tuition Prices
Tuition costs greatly overshadow all other necessary expenses for funding your education and choosing a school with tuition costs that are in-line with your budget is a must. However, those smaller expenses can still add up. According to the College Board, in-state students at a public school pay an average of $4,520 on expenses beyond tuition and room and board. Four-year undergrads pay less for tuition and fees at Wisconsin's public universities than their counterparts across the country.
Financial Aid
Finding financial aid is a necessary reality for all college students. The first step should be filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which will qualify you for a variety of financial aid opportunities through the federal government. Students can receive financial aid in the form of student loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. Grants and scholarships are the most attractive type of financial aid because they do not need to be paid back. Work-study programs allow students to work while earning their degree to help offset the costs of their education. Student loans must be paid back in a set amount of time that is agreed to beforehand. Federal student loans are preferable to private student loans because they offer payment deferral options and have much lower interest rates.
Cost for Online Programs in Wisconsin
Thanks to the proliferation of distance learning programs, students at online schools in Wisconsin have just as many financial aid opportunities as their on-campus counterparts. Distance learners enjoy generally lower tuition rates and do not have to pay for room and board, transportation, and other fees that they normally would with on-campus study. With lower overall costs and equal access to financial aid, online programs are a convenient and cost-efficient alternative to traditional on-campus study.
Cost of Living by Region
Cost of living varies greatly within the state of Wisconsin. For example, a two-bedroom rental in Madison is almost 25% more expensive than a similar place in Eau Claire. However, all of these costs are smaller than you'd find in a large metropolitan area. In fact, rentals in Madison are 30% cheaper than a similar space in Chicago. Most of the best schools in Wisconsin are in more populated cities, which means that room and board costs will be high. This shouldn't discourage you from attending a popular school like the University of Wisconsin, but you should consider the cost of living in your decision-making process.
Scholarships for Wisconsin College Students
Employment Outlook in Wisconsin
When compared to the rest of the nation, Wisconsin's economy is booming. The state's unemployment rate is one percent lower than the national average and is ranked 11th in overall job opportunities. Wisconsin's main industries involve manufacturing and agriculture, with dominant papermaking and cheese production sectors. The state is also modernizing and has made huge investments in healthcare, bioscience, and water technology that attract new businesses and employees. Computer development is also on the rise, with employment opportunities in software engineering rising 23% in May of 2016.
| Wisconsin | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, August 2017 | 3.4% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $45,240 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in Wisconsin
Top Industries in Wisconsin
Manufacturing: Manufacturing is strong in Wisconsin, which boasts the second largest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the nation. The state is home to companies like Briggs and Stratton, Osh Kosh, Harley Davidson, and several aeronautics firms.
Agriculture: Wisconsin produces more cheese than any other state, and is currently home to more than 77,000 farms.
Healthcare: Healthcare has grown rapidly in Wisconsin and is now the largest employer in more than 56% of the state.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Top Employers in Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin – Madison: 21,000 employees
Menard, Inc.: 10,000 employees
University of Wisconsin Hospital: 7,447 employees
Source: Careerinfonet.org
Accreditation for Colleges in Wisconsin
When choosing the right online college in Wisconsin for you, be sure to choose one that is accredited. There are two main types of accreditation: regional and national. Regional accreditation is considered more prestigious than national accreditation and is typically earned by public nonprofit universities. On the other hand, national accreditation is typically pursued by for-profit colleges and trade or vocational schools. In Wisconsin, you'll want to look for schools that are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
There is also programmatic accreditation, a discipline-specific recognition which is awarded to a particular department or program. For example, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education recognizes education programs at seven schools in Wisconsin. Accrediting agencies are overseen by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). You can view complete lists of all accredited universities in the country by visiting the ED or CHEA websites.
Resources for Students in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Higher Educational Aid Board : This organization provides oversight of post-secondary schools in Wisconsin. It administers financial aid and student loans, advocates for students, works to create reciprocity agreements for online education.
University of Wisconsin System : The 26-member public university system of Wisconsin hosts a site that has many resources for prospective students. On this site, students can compare and contrast campuses, find transfer information, and read about e-Campus, the system's home for online college in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Technical College System : Wisconsin became the first state to support vocational and technical education in 1911 and today is home to 16 colleges and 54 campuses. On this website, students can research careers and online programs, find information about college campuses, and pick up a copy of the system's college guide.
Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities : This website includes information on the state's private schools, an overview of the college selection process, and an informative guide on financial aid.
Wisconsin's Private Colleges : The WPC is a consortium of 24 independent schools. Their website includes information for transfer students, financial aid tips, recommended courses, and other relevant information for students who are interested in attending a private college or university.
Distance Learning Authorization Board : This organization represents Wisconsin to the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity (SARA), which makes it a useful tool for students interested in online education. SARA works to ensure that Wisconsin residents can attend online programs in other SARA member states.