Best Colleges in Wisconsin

UW-Madison is Wisconsin's largest postsecondary institution, enrolling more than 45,000 students on its 938-acre campus and online. The university ranks among the best online colleges in Wisconsin, with diverse online offerings. These include more than 60 fully online programs and degrees in fields like education, science, and engineering. Students can choose from a variety of online bachelor's, master's, and professional degrees. Many programs deliver all coursework asynchronously. Comprehensive technology, career, and academic support services are available for online students. Distance learners can apply to online programs in the fall, spring, and summer. The university offers a set, per-credit tuition rate for online coursework, regardless of residency. UW-Madison Online also offers enrollment coaches and academic advisors to assist students.

One of 13 schools in the University of Wisconsin System, UWRF operates on a 303-acre campus near Minneapolis-St. Paul and enrolls nearly 6,000 students. UWRF offers more than 70 programs across four academic colleges, including online degrees and certificates. UWRF offers five bachelor's degree completion programs and three certificates through online and hybrid learning. Online majors include applied computing, health and wellness management, and sustainable management. Teachers and professionals can also pursue various continuing education opportunities online at UWRF. Fully online students can choose from full-time and part-time enrollment options. UWRF's bachelor's degree completion programs target students who already hold an associate degree.

Wisconsin's first four-year higher education institution -- known today as Carroll University -- was established in 1846. More than 3,000 students attend class each year at Carroll's facilities in Waukesha, including a center for graduate studies. The university also owns a 64-acre field research station in Genesee. Carroll offers more than 95 study areas for undergraduates to explore, including majors in animal behavior, communication, freshwater sciences, music therapy, and information technology. The most popular choices include biology, business, exercise science, and nursing. Twenty-six bachelor's programs offer an accelerated three-year pathway to graduation. For graduate students, Carroll offers a doctor of physical therapy and several master's degrees in business administration, education, nursing, and health sciences fields. Admission requirements for first-time undergraduates include high school transcripts and standardized test scores. Carroll accepts applications on a rolling basis.

Marquette University is a Jesuit research university located in Milwaukee. The school became the world's first coeducational Catholic university when its first class of women students were admitted in 1909. Today, the university welcomes more than 11,000 undergraduate and graduate learners each year. Marquette serves as a popular destination for pre-professionals; it is home to the only dental school and one of only two law schools in the state of Wisconsin. Other available undergraduate areas of study include theology and religion, biophysics, military history, engineering, and real estate. Marquette also offers more than 70 master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and graduate certificates. Five of these can be completed entirely online, and two dozen offer accelerated, dual-degree completion options for qualified undergraduates. Materials required for admission include official high school transcripts, an essay, a school counselor recommendation, and a list of extracurricular activities. The university does not require students to submit ACT and SAT scores.

Established in 1968, UW-Parkside emphasizes customizable degrees, small classes, and personalized attention from instructors. UW-Parkside enrolls nearly 4,500 students in dozens of degree, certificate, and pre-professional and special training programs. Through UW-Parkside's online programs, students can choose from majors in fields like business, arts and sciences, healthcare, and information technology. The university also offers two competency-based, self-paced online programs through the UW Flexible Option. Distance learners can access tutoring, academic advising, and disability services. Instructors may choose to administer courses synchronously or asynchronously through the Canvas learning management system. More than half of all UW-Parkside students take at least one course online.

Saint Norbert College is a Catholic liberal arts school located in De Pere. As the only Norbertine college in the world, St. Norbert follows the tradition of radical hospitality, welcoming nearly 2,200 students of all backgrounds and personal beliefs. St. Norbert offers a four-year graduation guarantee and a 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Undergraduates can access more than 40 academic and pre-professional programs. Represented areas of study include accounting, global business, German education, music performance, and psychology. St. Norbert also offers graduate education leading to three master's degrees: liberal arts, business administration, and theological studies. The school encourages students to get involved in extra- and co-curricular activities, including clubs, organizations, the honors program, study abroad programs, and faculty-led research opportunities. Required submission materials include high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and a letter of recommendation.

UW-Green Bay encompasses four physical campuses and an online division, offering a variety of graduate and undergraduate programs entirely or partially online. High school students also can pursue individual online courses for college credit. UW-Green Bay ranks among the fastest-growing and best online colleges in Wisconsin. The university offers online associate and bachelor's degrees in fields like business, organizational leadership, nursing, and public administration. Students also can pursue a variety of graduate programs, including an online MS in cybersecurity and an executive impact MBA with a hybrid delivery option. UW-Green Bay delivers most online coursework asynchronously, although hybrid programs may include some synchronous sessions. Online students pay a special, per-credit tuition rate based on their course load (regardless of their state of residence). Rates may differ for programs delivered through UW-Green Bay's Marinette, Manitowoc, and Sheboygan campuses.

Located in Watertown, Maranatha Baptist University offers a private liberal arts education to about 1,100 students each year. Undergraduates join one of 10 campus societies, which encourage relationship development and community engagement through intramural sports, ministry, and other society-sponsored activities. MBU's academic catalog encompasses 39 bachelor's degrees and nine master's degrees. Alongside traditional liberal arts programs in the arts, sciences, humanities, health, and education fields, MBU offers extensive degree options in biblical studies and church ministry. Undergraduate majors include biblical counseling, biblical languages, medical missions, and pastoral studies. MBU's campus also serves as home to a seminary and offers graduate education opportunities like a master of divinity and a doctor of ministry. MBU bases admission on academic transcripts, ACT scores, character references, and a salvation testimony. Prospective students may also need to fill out church attendance forms and agree to a student conduct statement.

Ripon College is a private liberal arts college located in the historic city of the same name. Just over 800 undergraduates attend each year, the majority of whom live on campus. Ripon offers engagement opportunities through NCAA athletics, Greek life, and more than 60 student clubs. Ripon's innovative Catalyst curriculum includes five required seminar courses. Catalyst students develop independent and collaborative skills, working with faculty to propose solutions to large, open-ended questions. The Catalyst curriculum culminates in an applied innovation concentration. Students can further customize their bachelor's degree by choosing from 31 majors, 42 minors, and pre-professional tracks. Available disciplines include communication, educational studies, foreign languages, mathematics, and physical science. Incoming first-year students must supply high school transcripts. ACT or SAT test scores, personal statements, and interviews are optional. Ripon waives the application fee for all students who apply before the priority scholarship application deadline.

Edgewood College is a Catholic school located on a 55-acre suburban campus in Madison. In the Dominican tradition, each member of EC's faculty, staff, and student body commits to a lifelong search for truth and the pursuit of a just, compassionate world. Approximately 2,200 students attend EC each year, pursuing on-site and online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Four main schools offer degrees related to the arts and sciences, business, education, and nursing. A fifth school -- the School of Integrative Studies (SoIS) -- offers more than a dozen programs designed to create intellectually engaged and ethical problem solvers. Notable SoIS options include an ethnic studies major, a global studies minor, and a master of arts in social innovation and sustainability leadership. Undergraduate admission requirements include high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. Additional entrance requirements may apply for applicants interested in nursing or education. Students from all spiritual backgrounds may apply.

On the western border of Wisconsin, UW-La Crosse enrolls nearly 10,500 students. The university boasts a low student-to-faculty ratio of 19-to-1. It also has an 86% retention rate of first-year students who return the next year. Students can choose from more than 130 academic programs. UW-La Crosse offers seven online bachelor's completion and master's degree programs. Students can complete an online BS in health information management and technology or health and wellness management. Master's programs explore cybersecurity, data science, healthcare administration, information technology management, and recreation management. Distance learners also can pursue professional development and continuing education coursework online in subjects like policing and health education and behavioral health. UW-La Crosse offers competitive tuition rates, Army credentialing assistance programs, and a scholarship for military spouses.

Viterbo University is a Roman Catholic liberal arts institution located in La Crosse. The university is one of 24 members in the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities. The school attracts a coeducational student body of approximately 2,600 learners each year and offers small class sizes, NAIA athletics, on-site housing, and more than 80 organizations. Viterbo offers more than 40 academic programs at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Represented disciplines include nursing, health and human behavior, business, education, humanities, performing arts, and STEM. Viterbo emphasizes the importance of hands-on education and provides meaningful internship, research, service learning, and study abroad opportunities. Online options include three bachelor's completion programs and four master's degrees. Viterbo charges no application fee. Prospective first-year students must provide high school transcripts and test scores. The university also encourages applicants to submit letters of recommendation and personal statements. Additional entrance requirements apply for nursing, music, and theatre students.

Each year, Northland College offers approximately 600 full-time undergraduates a liberal arts education with a progressive focus on the environment and sustainability. The school's 220-acre residential campus in Ashland offers NCAA athletics, various clubs and organizations, and easy access to outdoor recreation. Many of Northland's academic programs focus directly on the environment, including majors like climate science, ecological restoration, forestry, and water science. Other programs include Native American studies, psychology, education, and writing. Students can access top internships, hands-on engagement opportunities, and unique Northland offerings like "pens and paddles" -- an experiential English course combining literary study and wilderness fieldwork. Undergraduates can also engage in graduate-level research related to freshwater issues, biology, rural communities, geosciences, and other fields. Northland accepts applications on a rolling basis. Prospective first-year students must supply high school transcripts and ACT or SAT test scores.

The University of Wisconsin Stout is located in Menomonie. It serves as a public, polytechnic school dedicated to developing career-ready graduates through a combination of liberal arts education and applied learning. Academic offerings at UW-Stout include art, design, and graphics; business and management; education; human and social sciences; information technology and communication; and STEM. Students can select from 50 undergraduate degrees and more than 20 graduate degrees. Fields include plastics engineering, game design and development, dietetics, and counseling. More than 50 certificates and degrees also feature online learning methods. Prospective students must submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. UW-Stout encourages early applications to increase scholarship eligibility.

Founded in 1913, Mount Mary University was Wisconsin's first four-year Catholic college for women. Today, this Milwaukee institution enrolls approximately 1,400 students each year. While Mount Mary's 30 undergraduate tracks remain open exclusively to women, the school's nine graduate programs are coeducational. Mount Mary welcomes students of all faiths and beliefs. Its 80-acre campus offers on-site housing, dining, clubs and organizations, and NCAA athletics. Mount Mary serves as home to several notable degree programs, including a professional doctorate of art therapy -- the first program of its kind in the U.S. Other available fields of study include creative writing, food science, interior design, and public relations. Prospective first-time students can apply by submitting the Common Application or by visiting Mount Mary's online portal. The school requires students to submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. Undergraduates interested in the RN-to-BSN completion program must complete a separate application process.

The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire's campus is located on 333 acres near the banks of the Chippewa River. The school serves as home to 28 major buildings and a vibrant student community numbering more than 10,000 individuals. Off campus, the university also owns nearly 500 acres of forest and marshland, which are utilized for class use and environmental research. Four colleges offer more than 80 undergraduate programs in areas like business, arts, sciences, education, human services, nursing, and health sciences. Graduate students can pursue 12 different options, including several master's degrees, a doctor of nursing practice, and an education specialist degree in school psychology. Several certificates, degrees, and individual courses use an asynchronous online format. UWEC's admissions office considers academic performance and experience outside the classroom. Prospective students must submit high school transcripts; test scores are considered but not required.

Beloit College is the oldest continually operated college in Wisconsin. It was founded In 1846, two years before Wisconsin achieved statehood. This private liberal arts institution enrolls approximately 1,400 students each year. The 65-acre campus offers student housing, Greek life, varsity athletics, and accredited art and anthropology museums. The school's undergraduate catalog encompasses dozens of majors and minors, including comparative literature, critical identity studies, geology, physics, and theatre. The college also encourages hands-on practice, internships, and field work. Everyone begins their first semester with the Spark program, where they are paired with a faculty member advisor who assists each student in designing their course of study and finding community experiences that connect well with coursework. Undergraduate admission requires high school transcripts, a secondary school report, and a teacher recommendation. Optional components include test scores, additional recommendations, and art portfolios.

UW-Whitewater ranks among the best online colleges in Wisconsin due in part to its diversity and value. Before the application process, prospective students can test drive Canvas — the university's digital learning management system. Once enrolled, students can choose from more than 10 online bachelor's degrees in majors like education, communication, marketing, and political science. More general programs explore applied arts and sciences and liberal studies. UW-Whitewater also offers online master's degrees in subjects like business, education, environmental safety, and technology. UW-Whitewater's distance learners pay set tuition rates for most online programs, no matter where they live. Faculty deliver most online courses asynchronously, with no campus visits or in-person requirements.

UWSP operates three campuses in central Wisconsin. The university also houses a nature reserve and three off-site field stations for environmental studies, forestry, and aquaculture programs. UWSP's academic offerings include more than 20 online graduate, undergraduate, and certificate programs. UWSP offers a comprehensive online self-assessment tool for prospective distance learners. Once enrolled, distance learners can choose from online bachelor's and master's degrees in diverse specializations, including education, healthcare, technology, and environmental studies. UWSP also offers an associate of arts and sciences online. Other program options include an online RN-to-BSN completion program and an Ed.D. in educational sustainability. Distance learners can access an IT service desk, a tutoring learning center, and Canvas assistance. UWSP accepts applications on a rolling basis.

With campuses in Keshena and Green Bay, the College of Menominee Nation is a tribal institution serving a diverse student body of American Indian and non-Indian students. The 52-acre, nonresidential main campus on the Menominee Indian reservation provides academic and recreational spaces for student and community use. CMN works to meet the academic and professional needs of all learners by offering continuing education courses, trade and technical diplomas, career- and transfer-ready associate degrees, and bachelor's programs. Available areas of study include pre-engineering technology, substance abuse counseling, digital media, education, and public administration. Outside the classroom, students can get involved in a variety of clubs and organizations. As an open-enrollment institution, CMN charges no application fee and guarantees admission to all prospective students who possess a high school diploma or the equivalent. ACT scores or alternative placement testing may be required in some cases.

UW-Oshkosh operates three campuses in Wisconsin —Fond Du Lac, Oshkosh, and Fox Cities — along with an online division. The university enrolls nearly 9,800 students, 44% of whom are the first in their family to attend college. UW-Oshkosh offers more than 250 programs across four colleges, including online graduate and undergraduate degrees. UW-Oshkosh emphasizes flexibility among its online programs. Students can choose to complete courses 100% online or by mixing in some hybrid, evening, and/or weekend courses on campus. UW-Oshkosh offers more than 20 bachelor's, master's, and collaborative programs online in majors like education, nursing, and cybersecurity. Online students enjoy the same learning assistance services as on-campus learners. Resources include online tutoring, disability accommodations and counseling support, and a student technology center. UW-Oshkosh charges set, per-credit tuition rates for online graduate and undergraduate coursework, no matter where students live.