Best Online Master’s Programs in Wisconsin 2023

Published: May 11, 2022
Updated: Jan 24, 2023

Find the best online colleges in Wisconsin ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs. Faculty and alumni with influential ideas are the foundation of respectable online degree programs employers can trust.

Top Online Master's Programs in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Marquette University
University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
University of Wisconsin–Green Bay
Concordia University Wisconsin
Cardinal Stritch University

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Wisconsin

Between community colleges, technical schools, and universities, Wisconsin has 30 public schools. All the public schools in Wisconsin have affordable tuitions, ranging from $4,000 to $11,000. The University of Wisconsin - Madison has over 35,000 students in attendance, making it the largest in the state. The tuition runs about $11,000, and the school boasts an 85% graduation rate. Public affairs, veterinary medicine, and human ecology are just some of the fields students can study here.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Of Wisconsin’s 29 private schools, 18 are religious. With just under 10,000 students, Marquette University is the largest, and tuition for this school is about $42,000. Located in Milwaukee, this Catholic, Jesuit university offers degrees in fields like business, engineering, physical therapy, and law. Also located in Milwaukee, the state’s smallest institution, the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology, is a private graduate school with just over 30 students, and is geared toward those earning their doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Wisconsin, like many states, also provides a loan forgiveness program to those who are working in the health care field.

When people think Wisconsin, they might immediately crave cheese. After all, the state is home to a museum dedicated to all things cheese, including the annual making of a 90-pound wheel of Swiss. But The Beaver State is also known for its more than 15,000 lakes, including Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. Prospective students looking to earn their associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree will enjoy the food, landscape, and educational variety Wisconsin has to offer.

Learn more about Wisconsin’s higher education opportunities by checking out the state’s variety of colleges and universities.

What are Wisconsin’s Colleges & Universities?

Wisconsin’s Best Overall

Online master’s degrees offered by respected colleges and universities are generally respected by employers. The main thing to consider about your online master’s choices is whether the school name is well known and respected. In many cases, employers won’t know your degree was earned online. But even if they do, a degree from a respected college is automatically to your benefit.

We rank the colleges and universities in this list by the influence of their alumni and faculty. For master’s degree students, including online master’s degree students, having faculty who are influential in your field matters a lot. It’s a big indicator that you have the chance to get a quality education. And, knowing that you will join an alumni association with some impressive people is nice, too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master’s Degrees

An online master’s degree costs about $40,000 for the average grad student. However, the cost of your online master’s degree will depend on the type of grad school you attend. In 2018-2019, the average cost for a year of tuition in a public grad school was $12,171. The average cost for a year of tuition in private, non-profit grad school was $27,776. An online master’s degree will usually cost about the same as a traditional master’s degree. Some schools will charge 5-10% more for online courses. This added cost pays for the technology and specialized training needed for online instruction. But getting a master’s degree online can also help you save money. The costs above don’t include expenses like housing, transportation, or certain campus fees. As an online grad student, you can save a lot of money by avoiding these added expenses. Many online master’s degree programs are also accelerated. Most master’s degree programs are designed to be completed in two years. But you may be able to earn your online master’s degree in as little as 12-18 months. Earning an accelerated online master’s degree can save you money on tuition.

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

How do we determine Wisconsin's best online master's degree programs?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

Best Online Master’s Program in Wisconsin 2022

#1
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Madison , WI
#7 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2023 #7 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2023 #9 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023 #12 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
60%
Graduation
89%
Student body
38K
Median SAT/ACT
1360/29
Online Master's Degrees
MS in Applied Biotechnology

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Mechanical Engineering

Concentrations

Engine Systems
Engineering Data Analytics
Engineering Management
Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Polymer Engineering
Sustainable Systems Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Data Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Clinical Nutrition

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Clinical and Health Informatics

Concentrations

Applied Drug Development
Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Educational Psychology

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Information

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Library and Information Studies

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Manufacturing Systems Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Sports Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Athletic Training

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
#2
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Milwaukee , WI
#2 Best Grad Schools in Wisconsin 2023 #2 Best Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #2 Best Research Universities in Wisconsin 2023
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2023
- #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
47%
Student body
21K
Online Master's Degrees
MS in Computer Science

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Cultural Foundations of Community Engagement and Education

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Information Science and Technology

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Social Work

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Continuing and Higher Education Administration

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Educational Administration and Supervision

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Health Care Informatics

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Healthcare Administration

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Library and Information Sciences

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
#3
Marquette University
Milwaukee , WI
#14 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2023 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #1 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$46K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
81%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1250/27
Online Master's Degrees
MA in Christian Doctrine

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Healthcare Data Analytics

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Computing

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Corporate Communications

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Data Science

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Finance

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Supply Chain Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
#4
University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
Stevens Point , WI
#4 Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #4 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #7 Best Colleges in Wisconsin 2023
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
90%
Graduation
55%
Student body
7K
Online Master's Degrees
MS in Applied Biotechnology

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Community and Organizational Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Data Science

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Education

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Health and Wellness Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Healthcare Administration

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Information Technology Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Music Education

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Natural Resources

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
#5
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
Eau Claire , WI
#3 Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #3 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #6 Best Colleges in Wisconsin 2023
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
68%
Student body
10K
Online Master's Degrees
Master of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Data Science

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
#6
University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
Whitewater , WI
#6 Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #6 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #10 Best Colleges in Wisconsin 2023
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
63%
Student body
11K
Online Master's Degrees
MS in Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Data Analytics

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Applied Biotechnology

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Applied Kinesiology

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Business Education

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Communication

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Environmental Safety and Health

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Finance

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Instructional Design and Learning Technology

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Marketing

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Education

Concentrations

School Business Management
Special Education

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
#7
University of Wisconsin–Green Bay
Green Bay , WI
#7 Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #7 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Wisconsin 2023
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
55%
Student body
6K
Online Master's Degrees
MS in Applied Biotechnology

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Master of Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Data Science

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Health and Wellness Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Nursing Leadership and Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Sustainable Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
#8
Concordia University Wisconsin
Mequon , WI
#3 Best Christian Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #4 Best Grad Schools in Wisconsin 2023 #4 Best Research Universities in Wisconsin 2023 #5 Best Small Colleges in Wisconsin 2023
Other Rankings
- #6 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin 2023
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
59%
Student body
4K
Online Master's Degrees
MS in Accountancy

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Business Analytics

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Computer Science

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Curriculum and Instruction

Concentrations

Teacher Certification in Elementary Education
Teacher Certification in Secondary Education

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Education

Concentrations

Educational Administration
Educational Design and Technology
Family Life
Literacy - Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist Licensures
School Counseling Licensure or Professional Counseling License
Secondary Education
Special Education - Wisconsin Licensure
Teaching and Learning
Teaching and Learning - ESL Licensure
Teaching and Learning - ESL/Bilingual
Teaching and Learning - Gifted and Talented Licensure
Teaching and Learning - Special Education Initial Licensure

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Educational Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Nursing

Concentrations

Healthcare Informatics
Nurse Educator
Nurse Practitioner
Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Product Development - Chemical

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Special Education Learning Disabilities

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Social Work

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Concentrations

Accounting
Communications and Public Relations
Finance
Healthcare Administration
Human Resource Management
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Leadership
Management
Management Information Systems
Nonprofit Management and Public Administration
Research for Business Applications
Sport and Entertainment Business
Strategic Marketing
Sustainability Management and Analytics

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Digital Humanities

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Occupational Therapy

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Child Life and Interprofessional Practice

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
#9
Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee , WI
#5 Best Grad Schools in Wisconsin 2023 #5 Best Christian Colleges in Wisconsin 2023 #5 Best Research Universities in Wisconsin 2023 #7 Best Small Colleges in Wisconsin 2023
Other Rankings
- #8 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin 2023
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
54%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1037/20
Online Master's Degrees
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Educational Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Higher Education Student Affairs Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Management and Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Sport and Recreation Business

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online

Best Online Master’s Programs in Wisconsin 2023

Top Online Master's Programs in Wisconsin

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Wisconsin

What are Wisconsin’s Colleges & Universities?

Best Online Master’s Program in Wisconsin 2022

Online Master's Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Online Master's Degrees

Online Master's Degrees

Online Master's Degrees

Online Master's Degrees

Online Master's Degrees

Concentrations

Online Master's Degrees

Online Master's Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations

Online Master's Degrees

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