Top Online MBA Programs in Wisconsin

Wisconsin joined the Union on May 29, 1848 as the 30^th state, and is known as the Badger State. Badgers have been associated with the state since it was a territory and in 1957 they became the official state animal. Wisconsin is the 20^th most populated state, with just over 5.7 million residents calling the state home, and the capitol is located in Madison. The word “Wisconsin” is believed to be derived from the Native American term Ouisconin, which translates into “grassy place.”

Besides being the birth-state of famous painter and artist Georgia O’Keefe, actors Orson Welles and Spencer Tracy, and world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Wisconsin offers some of the best online MBA programs in the nation. Widely known as the standard for higher education in business, the Master’s of Business Administration is an excellent program when delivered through an online format. Before online education, professionals with work experience would have to sacrifice positions within organizations and move to other cities or states in order to receive training at the nation’s best business schools.

The online MBA allows working professionals the chance to receive an excellent degree while still being in control of their professional and personal schedules. Students seeking an accelerated degree may be able to graduate in a year or less while others who have a busier schedule may have the opportunity to complete all the requirements for their degrees within six or seven years or more.

With many business schools delivering the same excellent curriculum to distance learners that classroom students enjoy, there is no compromise for the distance learner in the area of high-quality content. Business accreditation, program reputation, tuition cost, and national ranking are just a few of the factors to consider when researching and comparing online Master’s of Business Administration programs. With many of these factors in mind, we have compiled the top-five online MBA programs in Wisconsin. While these programs vary in characteristics, each of these programs are backed by their business school’s stellar business accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, or the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education. Let this ranking of Wisconsin’s best online MBAs help guide you in the important decision of finding a degree that is the right fit for you.

For more information about other online MBA programs, check out our article on the top MBA specializations and explore our other Online MBA Rankings.

Note: A detailed explanation of the methodology we used to determine the best online MBA programs in Wisconsin can be found at the end of the ranking.

#1 University of Wisconsin-​Whitewater College of Business and Economics – Whitewater, Wisconsin

Photo creditThe College of Business and Economics at the University of Wisconsin-​Whitewater delivers Wisconsin’s best online Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Data Analytics, Finance, Human Resource Management, Information Technology Management, International Business, Management, Marketing, Project Management, and Supply Chain Management. This excellent degree is also offered as a general MBA. This 36-credit hour program is classified as average in affordability with a total tuition price between $20,000 and $29,999. According to the U.S. New and World Report Best Business Schools Ranking, graduates from the business school report an average base salary of $57,000 after graduation, which gives great potential for a healthy return on investment of education. The College of Business and Economics receives its stellar business accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This best-of-the-best program “develops business people who are capable of thinking globally, behaving ethically, and leading innovation. This three-pronged orientation is evident in the content of every MBA core class, in teaching methods, and in assigned activities.” Divided between Common Body of Knowledge courses, Required Breadth courses, an elective, and an Emphasis course, the Required Breadth courses within this program include Persuasion and Negotiation Strategies, Business Valuation Using Financial Statements, Strategic Technology and Innovation Management, Fundamentals of Project Management, Leadership Development, Business Policy & Strategy, Quantitative Analysis for Business, and Social Responsibility of Business. U.S. News & World Report has recently recognized the business school as offering the 28^th best online MBA in the nation.

Home of the Warhawks who wear the school colors of purple and white, the athletic department at University of Wisconsin-​Whitewater supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams that compete at the NCAA Division III level as members of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. UW-Whitewater is a four-year, public institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. The university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the 12,434 students currently enrolled there. The university was founded in 1868 as Whitewater Normal School. Over the years the school grew in size and academic focus and received its university status in 1964. The University of Wisconsin-​Whitewater receives its regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.

Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 100.00

#2 University of Wisconsin Consortium – Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Photo creditThe business schools at the University of Wisconsin located in Eau Claire, La Crosse, Oshkosh, and Parkside offer one of the Wisconsin’s best online Master’s of Business Administration degrees through the University of Wisconsin Consortium. This degree is a 100% online program with no campus visits required for graduating. Most students complete all requirements for the program in two-and-a-half to three years. With the average class size being 25 students, distance learners can expect high personal interaction from instructors. Consisting of foundation courses, module courses, and electives, this 30-credit hour program is classified as average in affordability with a total tuition price between $20,000 and $29,999. While U.S. News & World Report has recently recognized the business schools from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, La Crosse, Oshkosh, and Parkside as offering the 14^th best online MBA in the nation, the consortium was recognized by Quacquarelli Symonds as offering the 29^th best online MBA on the planet. The business schools receive their excellent business accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The courses included in this program are Statistics Analysis Foundation, Fundamentals of Managerial Finance, Management Information Systems in Business, Organizational Management Foundation, Strategies for Managing Ongoing Operations, Developing New Products and Services, Managing Strategically in a Global Environment, and Focusing on the Future.

Established in 1971, the University of Wisconsin System is an association of public universities in the state of Wisconsin, including the University of Wisconsin located in Eau Claire, La Crosse, Oshkosh, and Parkside, which have combined to offer the UW MBA Consortium. The original University of Wisconsin was established in 1848 and held its first classes in Madison, Wisconsin. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, the entirety of the University of Wisconsin System includes 13 freshman and sophomore colleges, 11 comprehensive universities, and two doctoral research universities. Combined, there are over 170,000 students within the system.

Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 87.53

#3 Cardinal Stritch University College of Business and Management – Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Photo creditAn online Master’s of Business Administration with specializations in Cyber Security, Healthcare Management, Justice Administration, and Marketing is delivered by the College of Business and Management at Cardinal Stritch University. This 36-credit hour program is classified as average in affordability with a total tuition price between $20,000 and $29,999. The business school has recently been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as offering the 205^th best online MBA in the nation. The College of Business and Management has designed this program to provide “current business professionals with the necessary skills to be more competitive in the complex global marketplace. Stritch provides students with a sound understanding of the technical, global, cross-cultural, and ethical context of business through the lens of a business leader. The program develops leadership for organizations that value people, planet, and profit.” The business school receives its excellent business accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Coursework for this degree is offered 100% online, in the classroom, or as a hybrid experience with a combination of the two. Featuring six start times each year, admission requirements for this degree include an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA, two years of professional work experience, the completion of an admissions application, and official transcripts.

Cardinal Stritch University was originally founded as St. Clare College. The school first operated under the guidance of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi. In 1946 the school’s name was changed to honor Samuel Stritch, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, the university exists today as a four-year, private, not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delivering degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, Cardinal Stritch oversees a student body of 2,355. Home of the Wolves, the official school colors of Cardinal Stritch University are red and white. The athletic department at the university consists of 15 men’s and women’s varsity sports teams that compete within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as members of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 75.68

#4 Herzing University Online Campus – Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

Photo creditThe Online Campus at Herzing University features one of Wisconsin’s best online Master’s of Business Administration programs with specializations in Accounting and Finance, Data Analytics, Healthcare Management, Human Resources, Project Management, and Technology Management. This 39-credit hour program includes “core courses to ensure that you have a well-rounded understanding of management principles for all major functions of today’s business organizations, a capstone project that demonstrates your mastery of the coursework, and an industry-specific concentration to prepare you for special topics and issues currently facing your industry or specialization of interest.” This 100% online degree is classified as average in affordability with a total tuition price between $20,000 and $29,999. While all coursework for this remarkable MBA can be completed fully online, students looking for an accelerated experience can graduate in just 14 months. With five start dates each year and eight week-long terms, students can complete all requirements for this degree in just 18 months. Core courses within this program include Leadership and Organizational Behavior, Finance and Accounting for Decision-Making, Marketing and New Product Development, Technology and Innovation, Project and Operations Management, Business Integration & Strategic Planning, and a Graduate Capstone Project or Graduate Internship. Receiving its business accreditation through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, the business school has recently been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as offering the 150^th best online MBA in the nation.

Herzing University is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. The university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, and graduate levels through online courses and 11 brick-and-mortar campuses spread among eight states in the U.S. Herzing University was established in 1965 as a computer training institute named Herzing Institute by Henry and Suzanne Herzing. While the school achieved its university status in 2009, Herzing became a non-profit institution in 2015. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, the university focuses on training students for careers in business, healthcare, nursing, and technology.

Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 74.84

#5 Concordia University Wisconsin Batterman School of Business – Mequon, Wisconsin

Photo creditConcordia University Wisconsin’s Batterman School of Business features an online Master’s of Business Administration with concentrations in Accounting, Communications and Public Relations, Finance, Global Health Care Administration, Health Care Administration for Practitioners, Human Resource Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, International Business, Management, Management Information Systems, Nonprofit Management and Leadership, Public Administration, Risk Assessment, Sport and Entertainment Business, Strategic Marketing, and Sustainability Management and Analytics. This 39-credit hour degree is classified as average in affordability with a total tuition price between $20,000 and $29,999. The Batterman School of Business receives its excellent business accreditation through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education. This program has been designed to equip the student to “gain practical knowledge of current software programs and learn how to manage a wide variety of enterprises and project areas such as small businesses, real estate companies, and marketing projects. You’ll do so through a flexible program founded on our mission to provide a holistic, practical, faith-based education.” Admission requirements for this program include an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, a completed application form, a non-refundable application fee, a one-page essay expressing intent, a resume, two signed letters of recommendation, and official transcripts. U.S. News & World Report recently recognized the business school as offering the 184^th best online MBA in the nation.

Founded in 1881 as Concordia College Milwaukee, today’s Concordia University Wisconsin is a four-year, private not-for-profit institution of higher learning with a main campus located in Mequon, Wisconsin. With a mission statement that reads, “Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world,” the university got its start by teaching 13 students in the basement of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. Welcoming its first female students in 1964, the school was awarded its university status in the 1989. Receiving its regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, the university delivers degrees at the associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to the student body of 7,288 currently enrolled there. Home of the Falcons, the athletic department at CUW supports men’s and women’s varsity sports teams that compete at the NCAA Division III level as members of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. The school’s official colors are Lake Blue and Sunrise Gold.

Affordability Score: Average
OMBAT Ranking Score: 74.10

Methodology

To find the top Online MBA programs in Wisconsin, a list of over 490 online MBA programs was collected, and each program was evaluated first for a location in the state of Wisconsin, and then ranked on the following factors:

Estimated Tuition Cost (25%): Each online MBA degree was evaluated to find the estimated total base tuition cost. Data was gathered from the most recent information on each program or school website. The base tuition was calculated for the whole program, but does not included fees, books, or room and board; with the exception of programs that use all-inclusive figures. For colleges that offer a lower in-state tuition, the in-state pricing is used. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.

Based on this base tuition data, each program is given an Affordability Score:

Very Expensive = $100,000+
Expensive = $50,000-$99,999
Above Average = $30,000-$49,999
Average = $20,000-$29,999
Affordable = $15,000-$19,999
Very Affordable = $0-$14,999

Accreditation (25%): Accreditation plays an important and unique role in education. It attests to which school has attained high national and global standards in its research and delivered education. Each online MBA program in this ranking list is evaluated on whether it holds a regional accreditation from one of the six institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional business accreditations affect an MBA’s prestige and brand name, which can thus affect a graduate’s competitive advantage in the job market. Each school is ranked on if the online MBA program holds an accreditation from one of the top business accrediting institutions: ACBSP, IACBE, or AACSB. AACSB is widely regarded as the highest standard of business accreditation in the world, and thus schools that hold this accreditation are given the highest scores. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.

Average Base Salary (25%): The average base salary data is highlighted in this top online MBA ranking list because it allows prospective students to explore the affect an online MBA degree can have on a graduate’s salary. The average base salary is collected from the 2018 Best Business School Ranking by US News and World Report. Programs without a recorded average base salary from this list was calculated at zero because of no available third-party data. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.

Prestige (25%): The prestige for each degree program is calculated by evaluating lists from some of the most prestigious educational rankings systems for online MBA programs: US News and World Report’s Online MBA Ranking, the Princeton Review’s Online MBA Ranking, the Financial Times’ Global Online MBA Ranking, and Quacquarelli Symonds’ Distance Online MBA Ranking. Each online MBA was evaluated on how many ranking lists included their program. Twenty-five percent of the final ranking score is calculated from this figure.

All of this criteria was weighted equally, averaged, and then calculated on a 100-point scale. This score is the OMBAT Ranking Score, which provides the ranking order for this list. By evaluating the tuition cost, accreditation, average base salary, and prestige, this ranking helps prospective students find the highest quality online MBA programs in Wisconsin.