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When compared to all other states in the US, Wisconsin ranks #17 on Chief Executive’s 2019 list of Best and Worst States for Business, #24 on the Forbes 2018 list of Best States for Business, and #32 on U.S. News and World Report’s Best States for Business Environment. The reason for the mid-level ranking rests on factors like a higher-than-average cost of doing business and deficits of highly skilled workers in the labor force. In response to the latter, Wisconsin implemented a $6.8 million marketing campaign designed to attract skilled millennial talent from 13 metropolitan areas in the Midwest, transitioning veterans, and Wisconsin alumni who moved out of the state.
Key industries in Wisconsin include manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture. Wisconsin is also the leading producer of cheese in the U.S. Nine Fortune 500 companies call Wisconsin their home, including Manpower Group, Oshkosh, Harley-Davidson, Kohl’s Group, WEC Energy Group, Rockwell Automation, American Family Insurance Group, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance, and Fiserv.
Fortunately, busy professionals can tap into the business networks connected to the industrial strength unique to Wisconsin with an online MBA program. With coursework that can be completed anywhere on a flexible schedule, online MBA programs offer professionals the ability to advance into management and leadership positions with minimal disruption to work/life schedules.
In addition to flexibility, online MBA programs maintain the same accreditation, professorship, and quality as their on-campus counterparts. While most programs are 100 percent online, some hybrid online/on-campus programs offer face-to-face opportunities, imparting the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to be a savvy and competent business administrator.
Keep reading for more information on online MBA programs offered by accredited universities in Wisconsin, the esteemed professors teaching in these programs, and options for hybrid online/on-campus programs in the state.
Featured Online MBA Programs in Wisconsin
The 100 percent online MBA program offered through by the MBA Consortium of the University of Wisconsin is an innovative program whereby professors from four different partner universities provide instruction to students. The four universities involved in the consortium include the following:
- University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire – College of Business
- University of Wisconsin, La Crosse – College of Business Administration
- University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh – College of Business
- University Wisconsin, Parkside – College of Business, Economics, and Computing
Unlike other consortium programs, students who receive a degree through this program will receive their degree from the MBA Consortium, rather than the individual schools involved.
Students enrolled in the 30-credit-hour program take 16 credits of required modules,and can utilize the remaining 14 elective credits to customize their degree program. The four required modules include leading a diverse and dynamic workforce, developing new products and services, strategic competitiveness in a global environment, and focusing on the future.
GMAT/GRE scores are required to be considered for admission. Waivers may be available to those with master’s or terminal degrees, certain professional certifications, or 15 years work experience with at least ten years in upper management.
Location: Eau Claire, La Crosse, Oshkosh, and Kenosha, Wisconsin |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
Expected Time to Completion: 21 to 36 months |
Estimated Tuition: $675 per credit-hour |
The MBA offered through the COllege of Business and Economics at UW Whitewater utilizes a three-pronged approach by which students will graduate from the program able to think globally, behave ethically, and lead innovation. All students in the program must select from one of the following emphases: accounting, data analytics, environmental safety and health, finance, human resources management, information technology management, international business, management, marketing, project management, and supply chain management. Alternatively, students can customize an emphasis.
The MBA program is 36 credit-hours, but accepted students from non-business backgrounds may have to complete up to 14 credit-hours in prerequisite coursework. Coursework in the program includes persuasion and negotiation strategies, the fundamentals of project management, social responsibility of business, and managerial economics. The requirement to submit GMAT/GRE scores is waived for those with an AACSB-accredited undergraduate GPA of 3.0; a regionally accredited undergraduate GPA of 3.5, or 3.0 and four years work experience; an earned graduate degree; seven years of professional experience; military service; or a professional certification approved by the college.
Location: Whitewater, Wisconsin |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
Expected Time to Completion: Two years |
Estimated Tuition: $637.43 per credit-hour |
Graduating professionals that care about people, planet, and profit, the online MBA program offered through the College of Business and Management at Cardinal Stritch University helps current business professionals to become more competitive in a global marketplace.
Students in the program can choose a general MBA or can concentrate in dispute resolution or healthcare administration. Coursework in the program includes advanced managerial accounting, corporate finance, business analytics, and ethics and leadership.
Applicants must have a minimum of three years work experience to apply to the program. While a 2.75 undergraduate GPA is required, those whose GPA is lower may be admitted based on the completion of a formal interview. No GMAT/GRE scores are required to apply.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
Expected Time to Completion: Two years |
Estimated Tuition: $715 per credit-hour |
The 100 percent online MBA offered through the Rader School of Business at MSOE University is designed to prepare engineers and technical professionals for leadership and management careers. Students enrolled in the program can choose between three specializations: leadership, construction management, or business analytics.
Coursework in the 45-credit-hour program includes developing and leveraging human capital, project management for leading change, creating financial intelligence, and building value through process and technology. GMAT/GRE scores are only required for those with a GPA less than 2.8. The program is also offered in a hybrid online/on-campus format, if desired.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
Expected Time to Completion: Two years |
Estimated Tuition: $840 per credit-hour |
The one hundred percent online MBA offered through the School of Business at Edgewood College emphasizes ethical leadership, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Students in the general MBA program can choose between the following emphases: accounting, finance, health systems leadership, marketing, organizational development, quality, or an international study tour.
Coursework in the 37-credit-hour program include accounting for managers, organizational development and behavior, managing information and technology, and corporate finance. Edgewood College also offers a 42-credit-hour MBA in healthcare administration, and a 55-credit-hour dual MBA and master’s of science in accountancy (MBA/MSA) program.
GMAT/GRE scores are required for admission. Waivers may be available for those who have five years professional experience with a 3.25 GPA in the last 60 hours of coursework, a BA in business or BS from Edgewood with a 3.25 GPA for the last 60 hours of coursework, or military experience. While work experience is not required for admission, two years of experience are preferred.
Location: Madison, Wisconsin |
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years |
Estimated Tuition: $725 per credit-hour |
The online MBA in healthcare leadership offered by the Dahl School of Business at Viterbo University is designed for employed professionals, especially those in the healthcare industry who want to develop leadership and business skills.
Students in the 34-credit-hour program can expect coursework in the foundations of healthcare leadership, complex systems change, healthcare finance, and legal and ethical issues in healthcare.
Students enrolled in Viterbo’s online MBA program must complete two 2.5-day on-campus intensives at the beginning and midway through the program. GMAT/GRE scores are not required to apply. However, those with an undergraduate GPA of less than 2.75 who do not have significant organizational experience or another graduate degree can submit GMAT scores to strengthen their application.
Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin |
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
Estimated Tuition: $640 per credit-hour |
The online MBA offered through the Lakeland University system gives busy professionals the ability to move forward in their career goals, and invites students to design their own business concentration. In addition to a general MBA track and the custom concentration option, students enrolled at Lakeland can choose between nine other concentrations, including accounting, finance, healthcare management, hospitality management, human resource management, non-profit leadership, project management, sports leadership, and supply chain management.
Coursework in the 27- to 33-credit-hour program includes business research methodology, applied microeconomic theory, organizational effectiveness, and production and operations management. GMAT scores are not required for admission unless a student’s undergraduate GPA is less than 2.75. For students who are interested in blended learning, hybrid options are available at all the Lakeland University centers located in various cities.
Location: Plymouth, Sheboygan, Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Fox Cities, Chippewa Valley, Wisconsin |
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
Expected Time to Completion: Less than two years (full-time); three to five years, (part-time) |
Estimated Tuition: $648 per credit-hour |
Hybrid MBA Programs in Wisconsin
Online programs have the great benefit of offering maximum schedule flexibility through online and often asynchronous learning modules. On-campus programs offer face-to-face interaction and perhaps better opportunities for networking.
For those living close to a university in Wisconsin or for those with the flexibility to travel, enrolling in a hybrid program can provide a best-of-both-worlds MBA experience. Often, hybrid programs will offer didactic coursework online and on-campus, in-person requirements for short residences, intensives, orientations, or capstones. The following universities in Wisconsin, including two from the programs featured above, have hybrid MBA options.
- University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee – Lubar School of Business
- Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) University – Rader School of Business
- University of Wisconsin, Whitewater – College of Business and Economics