University of Wisconsin

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University of Wisconsin Degree & Program Options

The University of Wisconsin appears in our ranking of the 30 Best Online Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN). Students at the University of Wisconsin have access to more than 9,000 different courses offered by more than 2,000 faculty members. The large university runs more than 200 undergraduate programs and 250 graduate, doctoral, and professional programs. The average class size for students is 30. Several subjects are also available in certificate format. The university is divided into 24 colleges and schools that include divisions in:
  • environmental studies
  • business
  • the arts
  • social work
  • nursing
  • music
  • pharmacy, and others
The university also has a division dedicated to study abroad sessions, as well as a law school and a school for veterinary medicine. Some of the most popular programs at the university are those in:
  • biology
  • economics
  • computer & information systems
  • finance
  • psychology
A recent article from the university’s graduate school show that several of the university’s graduate programs are ranked highly in lists published by U.S. News & World Report. Highly ranked programs included those in:
  • business,
  • education
  • engineering
  • law.
Other programs with high rankings included those in:
  • medicine
  • nursing
  • public affairs
  • social work
Several STEM programs were recognized for their quality and included those in:
  • biology
  • chemistry
  • computer science
  • earth science
  • mathematics
  • physics
  • the entire Department of Statistics
One of the largest departments at the University of Wisconsin is the School of Business. It offers degrees at every level, as well as professional development classes. Students may enroll in a Full-Time MBA class or consider the Evening MBA or Executive MBA. One of the unique offerings of the School of Business is its selection of specialized master’s programs, which offer degrees in areas like:
  • business analytics
  • finance
  • real estate
  • supply chain management
  • global real estate
Students who want to study online will take classes through the University of Wisconsin – Extension department. There are programs at the levels of:
  • associate degree
  • bachelor’s degree
  • master’s degree
The online system also has doctoral degrees and certificate programs available. Students may also enroll in the UW Flexible program. It’s designed to allow students to advance at their own pace. Programs are offered online, but they’re usually affiliated with one of the University of Wisconsin branches across the state. For example, the Career and Technical Education Coordinator Graduate Certificate is offered by the University of Wisconsin at Stout. The Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Bachelor of Science in Nursing are both offered by the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.

About the University of Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin was established in 1848. It’s a large institution with more than 44,000 students attending classes at the Madison, Wisconsin campus. The school was incorporated in the late 1830s, but the university wasn’t opened until after Wisconsin became part of the United States. The public university is also a land-grant and sea-grant university. It’s the flagship institution of the state’s university system. The main campus covers more than 930 acres and also includes an extensive, 1,200-acre arboretum  established in 1932. The school’s official colors are white and cardinal, which is a shade of red. The sports teams at the university are nicknamed the Badgers. Students play in NCAA Division I games in the Big Ten Conference.

University of Wisconsin Accreditation Details

The University of Wisconsin is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. More than 50 programs at the university are also accredited by specialized agencies. For example, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education has accredited the Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Council on Academic Accreditation has accredited the Doctor of Audiology program. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business has accredited the School of Business and its business programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The National Association of Schools of Dance has accredited the Bachelor of Science in Dance. Several engineering programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology.

University of Wisconsin Application Requirements

When applying to the University of Wisconsin, students must complete several courses in academic class preparation that include:
  • four years of English
  • four years of mathematics
  • three to four years of social studies
The university doesn’t have a minimum GPA or class rank requirement. However, most students who apply have an unweighted GPA of 3.8 to 4.0 and a class rank in the 85th to 97th percentile. Students must take the SAT or ACT and submit their scores directly from the test’s grading agency. The university will take the highest score submitted for all standardized test submissions. The university recommends that students share any special or unique talents they possess. They should include any high school extracurricular activities. Application to graduate programs requires similar items. Students should check with the program to which they want to apply to see if there are any additional submission requirements.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition at the University of Wisconsin for Wisconsin residents is $10,555.52. Tuition for non-residents is $37,615.00. The total cost of attendance when tuition, fees, books, supplies, and other miscellaneous costs are included is about $26,443.52 for Wisconsin residents. It’s about $54,119.00 for non-residents. Meanwhile, graduate students will pay $12,009.60 for tuition and fees, and non-residents will pay $25,336.48 for tuition and fees. When everything is considered, the cost of attendance for graduate school is $32,454.60 for Wisconsin residents and $45,781.48 for non-residents. Minnesota residents receive a modest discount on tuition when they attend the University of Wisconsin. Tuition for doctoral students engaged in their dissertation is $3,368.60 for Wisconsin residents and $4,568.60 for non-residents. Some programs like law, business, and pharmacy have other fees associated with their programs. Students have access to several types of financial aid when they attend the University of Wisconsin that include:
  • student loans,
  • grants
  • scholarships
One of the benefits of attending the University of Wisconsin is the Bucky’s Tuition Promise program. It allows Wisconsin residents to attend the university for free when the student’s household adjusted gross income is less than or equal to $56,000. Students with a financial need may also qualify for grants to attend the university. Students with high academic achievement may earn scholarships. Some of the scholarship opportunities at the University of Wisconsin for various degree programs include:
  • the Thermo Fisher Scientific STEM Scholarship
  • the Graduate Student Peer Mentor Award
  • the ACS-Hach Land Grant Undergraduate Scholarship

Featured Programs

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Brenda Rufener
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Julie McCaulley
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Carrie Sealey-Morris
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