The most affordable online colleges in Wisconsin are a combination of nine private universities or colleges and one publicly sponsored university. These schools are indicative of the complex history of Wisconsin. The state was welcomed into the union in 1850 as the 30th state. It got its nickname—Badgers—from the inventive Welsh miners who sought lead during their working hours and dug, built, and maintained their homes cave fashion in the soft hills surrounding their mines to “live like badgers.” The state is an enigma as its whole history welcomed capitalism, yet it was also the birthplace of unionism. This philosophic dichotomy is reflected by the online opportunities available to Wisconsin students. Capitalism reigns among the private universities, yet the public online school is a unique presence among the virtual programs offered throughout the country.
The colleges on this list of the ten most affordable online degrees offered in Wisconsin are selected from the 33 colleges or universities in Wisconsin that award bachelor’s degrees through online programs found at the National Center of Educational Statistics website. Our list of the most affordable online colleges in Wisconsin only contains schools that deliver the lowest tuition cost, offer accredited courses and programs, provide consistent curriculums, have high-quality faculty, have access to financial help for its students, and continue to support its graduates entering the workforce.
Ranking Low-Cost Online Wisconsin Colleges
10. Columbia College of Nursing
Glendale, Wisconsin
Tuition: $29,520
Among the most affordable online colleges in Wisconsin is the prestigious Columbia College of Nursing. Founded in 1909, the college focuses entirely on nursing programs. For over 100 years, the school has produced excellent nursing practitioners, which translates to 100% graduation rates and 100% employment. With its affiliation with Ascension, graduates are guaranteed employment. The school offers two programs online—the first is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion degree. Students must finish their associate’s elsewhere before applying to this prestigious school. Working RNs or LPNs must consult with their management before application to ensure completion of the program. The second online degree is a Master of Science in Nursing: Clinical Nurse Leader that is offered entirely online or in a hybrid format. The MSN degree requires 400 hours of clinical nurse leadership activity for over 17 months. Applicants who choose to take the degree courses entirely online are encouraged to consult with their employer before applying for entrance into the program to ensure the completion of the on-duty requirements.
9. Alverno College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Tuition: $29,456
Alverno College was chartered in 1887 as a Normal School for women students providing a liberal arts education to future teachers. The school is still principally a Catholic women’s school with a bold move into coeducational degrees in its post-undergraduate programs. In Wisconsin, Alverno is considered one of the most affordable private schools with a recent move into the online arena. Of its 60 undergraduate pathways toward a baccalaureate degree, Alverno presents three as hybrid programs online. The school recognizes that the world is changing, and most employment opportunities include a mixture of critical thinking, research, and digital prowess. As a result, Alverno offers those degrees with the most demand for digital expertise with an online aspect. First, classes are taught in the traditional classroom; then, auxiliary instruction occurs online to complete the course and to initiate an atmosphere similar to what students will find in the worlds of business, communication, and interdisciplinary studies. The degrees offered in this hybrid format include:
- Bachelor of Arts in Business & Management in Accounting
- Bachelor of Arts in Business & Management, Management Accounting
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication
- Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
Alverno College offers several coeducational graduate-level programs. These programs are delivered in different ways, dependent on the subject matter at hand. Most of these programs include a hybrid design that turns the baccalaureate programs on their heads. Students absorb most of their material online and meet every other weekend to solidify the content, discuss issues, and correct any misconceptions. These master-level degrees include:
- Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing: Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Business Administration: Organizational Leadership and Development
- Master of Science in Community Psychology
- Master of Arts in Education
- Master of Arts in Music and Liturgy
- Master of Music Therapy
Beyond master-level education, Alverno completes its online educational portfolio with a mix of hybrid and entirely online programs. The Educational Specialist in School Psychology and the Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees are offered in a hybrid format with students meeting on Friday and Saturday evenings after studying online material. The Doctor of Education degree is presented entirely online and comes with two concentration options—K-12 Leadership and Higher Education Leadership.
8. Viterbo University
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Tuition: $28,650
Viterbo University began classes in 1890 as the St. Rose Normal School by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration to provide the necessary education for their sisterhood to engage and prepare students in the area for the travails of life. Later the school began taking in women other than those already in the sisterhood and opened the doors to men in 1970 as Viterbo College. In 2000, the school became a university offering graduate degrees along with its basic baccalaureate programs. Today, the university offers one of the most affordable online packages in Wisconsin. All of the baccalaureate degrees are completions programs. A student interested in these programs must complete an associate’s degree or equivalent before applying for entrance. The baccalaureate programs offered entirely online include:
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Leadership
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
- Bachelor of Science in Education: Elementary Education
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Students pursuing their education degrees take their licensure courses immediately after graduation to be qualified to work in their chosen field. Taking these programs online serves to speed up the process as students take the courses online during the summer months as well as the traditional school year. The programs offered online include:
- Teacher Licensure in Elementary Education
- Teacher Licensure in Art Education
- Teacher Licensure in Business Education
- Teacher Licensure in English Language Arts Education
- Teacher Licensure in Math Education
- Teacher Licensure in Music Education
- Teacher Licensure in Social Studies Education
- Teacher Licensure in Science Education
- Teacher Licensure in Technology Education
- Teacher Licensure in Spanish Education
Other certifications are available for students already working in their chosen field to gain more expertise in given areas. These graduate certifications take less time than a master’s degree and may contribute toward a solid master’s later when the student has more time. These online graduate-level certification programs include:
- Graduate Certificate in Ethical Leadership in Organizations
- Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management
- Graduate Education Certificate in Innovative Teacher Leadership and Instructional Coaching
- Graduate Education Certificate in Cross Categorical Special Education
- Graduate Education Licensure as Superintendent
- Graduate Education Licensure as Principal
- Graduate Education Licensure as PK-12 Principal/Supervisor of Special-Education
- Graduate Education Licensure as Director of Special-Education and Pupil Services
- Graduate Education Licensure as Director of Instruction
- Graduate Education Licensure as Reading Teacher
- Graduate Education Licensure as Reading Specialist
Master’s level programs at Viterbo University have a choice of five different pathways toward an advanced degree that they can pursue online. Those programs include:
- Master of Science in Nutrition Science
- Master of Arts in Education
- Master of Arts in Education with one of the above mentioned Certifications or Licensures
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Business Administration in Health Care Leadership
7. Marian University
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Website
Tuition: $27,950
Marian University opened in 1936 as a Roman Catholic normal school dedicated to the education of teachers in local schools. It started with 17 full-time and 25 part-time students and today has a student body of 2,180 students, which it is seeking to expand through online education. Marian University offers a variety of scheduling opportunities from which a student may choose—a seven-week semester accelerated program, the intense “flexible” program with four-week semester classes, and the extended 15-week semester courses. The school offers 13 bachelor degrees through its accelerated seven-week program. Those degrees include:
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Health Care Administration
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Management
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (Completion Program)
- Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Completion Program)
- Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security
- Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing: RN to BSN (Completion Program)
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology
- Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology (Completion Program)
- Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (Completion Program)
Students can also pursue two licensure programs through the accelerated program—Alternative Education Licensure and Reading Teacher Licensure. Two masters-level programs are also available through the accelerated semester design—Master of Arts in Education with a Focus on At-Risk and Alternative Education, and Master of Arts in Education with a Focus on Educational Technology.
The online four-week semester flexible program presents five master’s programs including:
- Master of Arts in Education (with License) Focus on Special Education
- Master of Arts in Education (with License) Focus on Teacher Education
- Master of Science in Industrial Organization Psychology
- Master of Science in Management
- Master of Science in Professional Practice in Public Safety
Marian University offers five licensure degrees in its traditional 15-week semester program, including:
- K-12 Education Licensure as Director of Instruction
- K-12 Education Licensure as Director of Special Education and Pupil Services
- K-12 Education Licensure as Principal
- K-12 Education Licensure as School Business Administrator
- K-12 Education Licensure as Superintendent
Marian has recently added a graduate certificate to its online 15-week semester program—Graduate Certificate in Thanatology. For those students who wish to increase their credentials by pursuing an online master’s degree through the 15-week semester schedule, the school offers three programs, such as:
- Master of Arts in Education, Focus on Educational Leadership
- Master of Arts in Thanatology
- Master of Arts in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (Hybrid)
6. Bellin College
Belleview, Wisconsin
Tuition: $21,760
Bellin College is the most prestigious nursing school in the Green Bay area of Wisconsin. As one of the most affordable specialty schools in the state, Bellin is just as heavy on practicum as it is on theory. Until recently, the school has only accepted students who could attend traditional classes full-time. Today, Bellin is offering two degrees online as its initial foray into distance learning. The first degree is a masters-level degree—Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Educator. The degree includes 39 credit-hours of study and 255 hours of practicum. Most students in this program complete their internship at Green Bay hospitals, but a few can perform their practicum under tight surveillance by professionals in the hospital of their employment. The other program available entirely online at Bellin College is the Post-Graduate Certificate in Nurse Education. To enter this certification program, the applicant must already have in hand a master’s or doctor of nursing degree. The nurse education certificate involves 11 credit-hours of study and 255 hours of practicum. Those students who complete this program are eligible to take the Certified Nurse Educator Exam.
5. Maranatha Baptist University
Watertown, Wisconsin
Tuition: $16,660
Maranatha Baptist University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1968. The school’s original purpose was to educate church members in the value of the Word and to prepare young men for work in the ministry. The university quickly moved beyond issues of faith to offer degrees in business, arts and sciences, education, and nursing. As one of the most affordable online schools in Wisconsin, Maranatha Baptist offers opportunities for students to pursue associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees online. To start, the school reaches out to sophomore high school students, offering online courses for college preparation or to coordinate with their current secondary school curriculum to increase knowledge and critical thinking. High school students using this program may pursue any associate’s degree the school offers in its online programming, including:
- Associate of Science in Business
- Associate of Arts in Christian Ministry
- Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
- Associate of Science in Digital Media
- Associate Arts in Humanities
- Associate of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
Gaining an associate’s degree while still in high school or while working through Maranatha Baptist University takes 60 credit hours of study. Those 60 credit hours apply to the 120 hours required to finish a baccalaureate degree. Maranatha Baptist offers four bachelor-level degrees online, including:
- Bachelor of Science in Bible
- Bachelor of Science in Business
- Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
For graduate students, Maranatha Baptist University offers seven ministry based master’s degrees housed in the Maranatha Baptist Seminary. These programs are offered online in a hybrid form with a minimum of finishing courses that require traditional classroom attendance. These specialized programs include:
- Master of Arts in Bible
- Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling
- Master of Arts in Biblical Studies
- Master of Divinity in Chaplaincy
- Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies
- Master of Divinity
For students who wish to continue pursuing faith-based material and increase their knowledge in the field, Maranatha Baptist Seminary offers an online degree—Doctor of Ministry—which is one of the most prestigious degrees in the country.
The other master’s programs available online at Maranatha Baptist University involve 33 to 36 credit hours of study. These master’s-level degrees are presented entirely online without the necessity of attending any traditional classrooms. These degrees include:
- Master of Arts in Teaching – Elementary
- Master of Education in Teaching & Learning
- Master of Organizational Leadership
- Master of Nonprofit Administration
4. Herzing University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Tuition: $14,200
Herzig University is a private university that opened in 1965 with the intent to provide computer science education. The school quickly expanded from its initial location in Milwaukee, WI to ten more campuses throughout the country, including:
- Akron, Ohio
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Brookfield, Wisconsin
- Kenner, Louisiana
- Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Toledo, Ohio
- Winter Park, Florida
Herzig University also operates an independent online division that offers courses in health care, technology, nursing, business, public safety, and legal studies. Students often take courses toward their degree online in coordination with faculty from one of the campuses to maintain contact between student and faculty members who can advise, correct, and instruct on misunderstood issues or techniques. Herzig University offers 14 associate’s degrees, 30 baccalaureate degrees, ten master’s degrees, and six post-master’s certifications in its online repertoire. The 13 associate’s degrees cover every field that Herzig offers including degrees in:
- Associate and Associate in Applied Science in Accounting
- Associate and Associate in Applied Science in Business Management
- Associate and Associate in Applied Science in Business Studies
- Associate and Associate in Applied Science in Information Technology
- Associate and Associate in Applied Science in Software Development
- Associate and Associate in Applied Science in Technology Studies
- Associate and Associate in Applied Science in Health Information Management
- Associate of Science in Healthcare Management
- Associate Degree in Medical Assisting Services
- Associate and Associate in Applied Science in Medical Billing and Insurance
- Associate and Associate in Applied Science in Insurance Billing and Coding Specialist
- Associate and Associate in Applied Science in Medical Office Administration
- Associate and Associate in Applied Science in Legal Studies
The 30 baccalaureate degrees Herzig University offers online include every field that the school offers. Those seeking bachelor degrees in Business, public safety, legal studies, nursing, technology, and health care find an interesting array of pathways toward their degree.
Herzig recognized early the importance of offering master’s-level degrees online. It was the school’s intent to reach those workers who wished to improve their position in their employment. The program succeeded beyond all hope. Today the school offers ten master’s level degrees, including:
- Master of Business Administration – Accounting
- Master of Business Administration – Data Analytics
- Master of Business Administration – Technology Management
- Master of Business Administration – Project Management
- Master of Science in Electronics and Computer Technology
- Master of Business Administration – Human Resources
- Master of Business Administration – Health Care Management
- Master of Business Administration – Dual Concentration Option
- Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Educator
- Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Leadership and Administration
To cap their efforts in online education, Herzig University presents six post-master’s certifications. Applicants for these programs must hold a master’s in a relevant field. The certificates involve 12 to 18 credit hours of study and can be finished within a year. These programs include:
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Technology Management
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Project Management
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Health Care Management
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Human Resources
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Accounting
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Masters’ Certificate in Nursing Education
3. Ottawa University
Brookfield, Wisconsin
Tuition: $11,976
Though Ottawa University is centered in Kansas, it has a campus located in Brookfield, WI which is a suburb of Milwaukee. The university also has a healthy presence across the nation in online degrees, offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as certifications and endorsements. The baccalaureate program calls for 120 credit hours of study and may be taken on campus or online or a combination of both. The 25 bachelor degrees offered online at Ottawa University include:
- Bachelor of Arts in Accounting
- Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication
- Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood/Special Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
- Bachelor of Arts in English
- Bachelor of Arts in Finance
- Bachelor of Arts in Health Care Management – Clinical Track
- Bachelor of Arts in Health Care Management – Non-Clinical Track
- Bachelor of Arts in History
- Bachelor of Arts in Human and Social Services
- Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources
- Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Management
- Bachelor of Arts in Management Information Systems
- Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Public Safety
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing – CEP
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN
- Bachelor of Science in Finance
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Addiction Counseling
For teachers, the university offers affordable endorsement programs that they can take online. These programs involve 24 credit hours of study and prepare a teacher to take the endorsement tests. The seven endorsement programs offered by Ottawa University are:
- Endorsement in Computer Science K-12
- Endorsement in English as a Second Language K-12
- Endorsement in Gifted K-12
- Endorsement in Physical Education
- Endorsement in Reading Six-12
- Endorsement in Reading K-12
- Endorsement in Reading K-8
The school also offers master’s-level programs online for students who work and cannot attend traditional classrooms. The online master’s-level programs have 31 pathways toward the finishing of a degree in such areas of study as business, counseling, psychology, leadership, and nursing. Each pathway involves a minimum of 33 credit hours of study with a maximum of 36 hours. After obtaining a Master of Arts in Psychology, students qualify to enter one of the specialized graduate certification programs offered by Ottawa University, including:
- Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Behavior Health Counseling
- Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Expressive Arts Therapy
- Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Gerocounseling
- Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Treatment of Trauma, Abuse, and Deprivation
2. Rasmussen College
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Tuition: $10,935
Rasmussen College is a for-profit college that operates in several states including Wisconsin. Ironically, even though it is designated as a for-profit school, it is also offering the second cheapest online education in the state. The school concentrates associate and bachelor-level degrees while still offering some certifications and master’s-level programs. The associate-level programs are indicative of the fields of study available at Rasmussen and include:
- Associate’s in Accounting
- Associate’s in Business Management
- Associate’s in Human Resources and Organizational Leadership
- Associate’s in Marketing
- Associate’s in Graphic Design
- Associate’s in Early Childhood Education
- Associate’s in Health Information Technician
- Associate’s in Human Services
- Associate’s in Criminal Justice
- Associate’s in Paralegal
- Associate’s in Information Technology
- Associate’s in Network Systems Administration
- Associate’s in Software Application Development
- Associate’s in Web Programming
Reflective of its commitment to education, Rasmussen also presents 18 baccalaureate degrees online. These programs require 120 credit hours of study, to which the 60 hours taken in an associate’s program may apply. The bachelor degrees offered online at Rasmussen include:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
- Bachelor’s Degree in Busi9ness Management
- Bachelor’s Degree in Finance
- Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Management
- Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources and Organizational Leadership
- Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing
- Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain and Logistics Management
- Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design
- Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Wellness
- Bachelor’s Degree in Health Information Management
- Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services
- Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing – RN-BSN
- Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science
- Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity
- Bachelor’s Degree in Data Analytics
- Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology Management
Rasmussen currently finishes its online presence with master’s-level degrees. These degrees require a minimum of 33 credit hours of study in an intense program. Students usually take two to three years to complete the degree. Four master’s degrees are entirely presented online at the school, including:
- Master of Science in Data Science
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Master of Health Care Administration
- Master of Human Resources Management
1. University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Tuition: $10,725
At first glance, the fact that the University of Wisconsin is the only publicly supported university on this list is what makes it the most affordable. While that factor contributes a great amount to the affordability of education at the University of Wisconsin, it is not the sole factor involved in the university offering the lowest price. When the online educational system was in its infancy, the universities in Wisconsin took advantage of their affiliation. They created the University of Wisconsin System, where students can access degrees and courses across the spectrum of the Wisconsin state schools. There are 13 state-sponsored schools involved in the system, including:
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (flagship school)
- University of Wisconsin-Parkside
- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
- University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
- University of Wisconsin-Stout
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls
- University of Wisconsin-Superior
With the consolidation of all these schools under one online system, the schools discovered their ability to consult, form partnerships in degree development, and share the overhead cost of an online system. The result is a unique online delivery system where students can pursue degrees at any of the schools involved. The advantage for students goes well beyond the lower cost; students are delivered the best instructors and programs from each of the schools. Specialties already existed before the creation of the system. One school specialized in a certain field while another school specialized in another. Today, those specialties meld in the online system creating a series of degrees that include three associate’s, 65 bachelor’s, 67 master’s, 64 certifications, and seven doctoral or specialist degrees. The three associate’s degrees are foundational and allow students to work in their lower division studies, which are accepted throughout the system. Those degrees include:
- Associate of Arts and Science-Flexible Option
- Associate of Arts and Science-Online Option
- Associate of Science in Business Administration-Online
With an associate’s degree from the Wisconsin University System, students can choose to pursue any of the 65 baccalaureate degrees. Once students accomplish their choice of bachelor’s, they may apply for a master’s program to attend a traditional class or one of the 67 online master’s programs.
For those students who do not have the time to apply themselves to the rigorous master’s program schedule, certifications are available in every conceivable area of expertise—64 of them. The certifications are obtainable with as little as 12 credit hours of study or as much as 18 hours. They are quickly finished within a single school year.
The University of Wisconsin caps its online program with seven doctoral or specialist degrees, including:
- Doctor of Education in Career and Technical Education
- Education Specialist in Educational Administration-Superintendent/District Administrator
- Doctor of Education in Educational Sustainability
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy
- Doctor of Education in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education
The American College of Education finishes its online offerings with three doctoral programs:
- Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Education
- Doctor of Education in Instructional Technology
- Doctor of Education in Leadership
Each of these schools adds a special atmosphere to online education in Wisconsin. By providing an affordable education in specialist and general areas of study, they inform and invigorate the economic posture of Wisconsin. The schools on this list demonstrate the practicality of providing accessible and affordable education to every student in Wisconsin and beyond.
AS Staff
March 2020
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