[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”heading-2″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/WI/”]Nearly one-third[/hen-ui-link] of the Badger State’s population aged 25 years or older holds an undergraduate degree.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Home to one of the largest public institutions of higher education in the country, Wisconsin boasts an extensive network of two- and four-year state universities. Wisconsin also provides educational opportunities at [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.wisconsinsprivatecolleges.org/”]private colleges[/hen-ui-link] and [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.wtcsystem.edu/colleges/”]16 technical colleges[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In Wisconsin, online schooling spans disciplines and institutions. Online undergraduate programs offered through the [hen-ui-link href=”https://ecampus.wisconsin.edu/online-degree-programs/online-bachelors-degree-programs/”]University of Wisconsin System[/hen-ui-link] allow students to collaborate across campuses and schools, including programs in business administration, information science and technology, and nursing. There are also 23 private colleges in Wisconsin that offer online academic programs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Earning a bachelor’s degree in Wisconsin prepares graduates to pursue careers in the state’s top fields, including business, digital technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. This guide provides information about the best online colleges in Wisconsin, detailing the types of available programs, common professional pathways, and salary data in the state.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Employment in Wisconsin[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Wisconsin’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://dpi.wi.gov/pathways-wisconsin/industry-sectors/”]major industries[/hen-ui-link] include healthcare, manufacturing, and digital technology, which coincide with many of the top-paying careers in the state.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Major cities like Madison host large technology employers, but Wisconsin also offers [hen-ui-link href=”https://dpi.wi.gov/pathways-wisconsin/”]regional career pathways[/hen-ui-link] in more rural areas. Resources like the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.jobcenterofwisconsin.com/wisconomy/”]Wisconomy website[/hen-ui-link] and the [hen-ui-link href=”http://skillexplorer.wisconsin.gov/Search.aspx”]skill explorer[/hen-ui-link], both provided by the Department of Workforce Development, allow students to make informed choices about their employment options.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.wi.htm”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link] (BLS), unemployment numbers in Wisconsin are on the decline. In December 2020, unemployment in Wisconsin was 4% — significantly lower than August 2020’s 6% rate.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As employment opportunities expand, individuals can also benefit from the lower-than-average cost of living in Wisconsin. Wisconsin’s cost of living index is [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/state/wisconsin/”]just 90.9[/hen-ui-link], as compared to the national standard of 100. The state’s lowest cost of living expenses relative to the national average include housing and transportation.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following data details the highest-paying roles employing more than 5,000 individuals in Wisconsin. Salary information applies specifically to Wisconsin, while job growth data pertains to the United States as a whole.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Highest-Paying Careers in Wisconsin[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Annual Mean Salary (2019)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Education Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Physicians[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wi.htm/”]$246,060[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm/”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Doctoral degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Chief Executives[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wi.htm/”]$159,500[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm/”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Sales Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wi.htm/”]$139,230[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/sales-managers.htm/”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Financial Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wi.htm/”]$138,420[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm/”]15%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Pharmacists[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wi.htm/”]$134,090[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm/”]-3%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Doctoral degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]General and Operations Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wi.htm/”]$131,220[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm/”]6%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Lawyers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wi.htm/”]$129,440[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm/”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Doctoral degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wi.htm/”]BLS[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following data reflects the highest-paying roles employing more than 10,000 professionals in Wisconsin. Salary figures apply specifically to Wisconsin, while job growth data refers to the United States.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Most Common. Highest-Paying Careers in Wisconsin[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Annual Mean Salary (2019)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Education Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]General and Operations Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_WI.htm/”]$131,220[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm/”]6%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Software Developers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_WI.htm/”]$92,560[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm/”]22%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Management Analysts[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_WI.htm/”]$88,500[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm/”]11%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Computer Systems Analysts[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_WI.htm/”]$84,340[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts.htm/”]7%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Mechanical Engineers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_WI.htm/”]$80,650[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mechanical-engineers.htm/”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wi.htm/”]BLS[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Wisconsin Online Schooling: Associate and Graduate Degrees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online colleges in Wisconsin offer undergraduate and graduate degrees that mirror their on-campus counterparts. For example, University of Wisconsin (UW) offers an [hen-ui-link href=”https://uwex.wisconsin.edu/aas/”]associate of arts and sciences[/hen-ui-link] degree as both a traditional program and a [hen-ui-link href=”https://flex.wisconsin.edu/degrees-programs/associate-degree-online/”]flexible online option[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Through one of the technical colleges in Wisconsin, students can earn an [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.wtcsystem.edu/programs/find-your-program/?online=1&searchtext=&limit=96″]online associate degree[/hen-ui-link] in accounting, early childhood education, and marketing. These programs lead to careers as accounting assistants, teaching aids, and marketing associates. Meanwhile, online associate of arts and sciences degrees build [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/synchronous-vs-asynchronous-programs-courses/”]foundational knowledge[/hen-ui-link] for students aiming to enter the workforce or [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/transfer-credits-online-colleges/”]continue to bachelor’s programs[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online graduate degrees offered through Wisconsin’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://uwex.wisconsin.edu/degrees-programs/”]extension program[/hen-ui-link] unite institutions throughout the state, offering pathways in fields like study management, healthcare, and information technology. These lead to careers in business administration, healthcare management, and cybersecurity.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The UW online system provides online graduate degrees in nearly 60 disciplines. For example, students can pursue [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/online-colleges/”]online master’s degrees[/hen-ui-link] in business administration from three UW institutions, or they can earn online education and engineering master’s degrees from six UW schools.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is Online College Cheaper in Wisconsin?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Wisconsin offers online degrees to both in-state and out-of-state students. Some schools offer flat-rate tuition for online learners, keeping costs lower for out-of-state students than they would be if those students studied on campus[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Degree in Wisconsin?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online degrees in Wisconsin vary in length. Students can earn associate degrees in two years or less. Online bachelor’s degrees include roughly four years of coursework, while graduate programs can span 2-10 years.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Is the Most Popular Degree in Wisconsin?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to a [hen-ui-link href=”https://online.uwc.edu/about/news/most-popular-majors/”]UW report[/hen-ui-link], the top online major in Wisconsin is business. Education, biology, health sciences, and communication arts round out the top five majors for students enrolled online with UW.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”] [hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Melissa Sartore” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto:eco/v1618860719/TheBestSchools.org/hero-images/Experts/author-no-image.jpg” img-alt=”Melissa Sartore” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”][hen-ui-link href=”/about/#writers/”]Melissa Sartore[/hen-ui-link] holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her BA and MA in history are from Western Illinois University. A medievalist by training, she has published on outlawry in medieval England with additional publications on outlaws in popular culture and across geographic and historical boundaries.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn more, do more.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h5″]More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”1244,106,170″][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]