Wisconsin Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
Aspiring teachers in Wisconsin are required to complete an accredited, state-approved educator preparation program to earn certification. This guide is designed to help future educators review their options for teaching degrees and schools across Wisconsin. Below you’ll find a comparison table of approved programs along with curated lists of highly regarded and cost-effective choices to support your decision-making process.
Table of Contents
- WI Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 14 Affordable WI Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked Wisconsin Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- US News Best Graduate Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Wisconsin Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 31 Wisconsin teacher preparation programs across key factors. All listed institutions are not-for-profit and approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Wisconsin traditional certification guide and our Wisconsin alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment 2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alverno College | No | 221 | 69 | 62% | — | — | — | $18,243 |
| Beloit College | No | 38 | 7 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $18,294 |
| Carroll University | No | 211 | 76 | 90% | — | — | — | $24,050 |
| Carthage College | No | 361 | 62 | 67% | — | — | — | $26,643 |
| College of Menominee Nation | No | 14 | 4 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $7,401 |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin | No | 554 | 159 | 94% | — | — | — | $25,830 |
| Edgewood College | No | 228 | 27 | 87% | — | — | — | $27,679 |
| Lakeland University | No | 33 | 12 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $21,470 |
| Lawrence University | No | 52 | 26 | 96% | — | — | — | $24,804 |
| Maranatha Baptist University | No | 55 | 14 | 95% | — | — | — | $20,542 |
| Marian University | No | 120 | 50 | 71% | — | — | — | $21,032 |
| Marquette University | No | 201 | 53 | 97% | — | — | — | $33,566 |
| Mount Mary University | No | 32 | 5 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $24,065 |
| Northland College | No | 13 | 5 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $22,994 |
| Ripon College | No | 42 | 27 | 100% | — | — | — | $21,734 |
| St. Norbert College | No | 231 | 44 | 83% | — | — | — | $27,107 |
| University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | No | 667 | 251 | 99% | — | — | — | $15,713 |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | No | 449 | 164 | 70% | — | — | — | $11,291 |
| University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | No | 975 | 210 | 95% | — | — | — | $12,904 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | No | 658 | 259 | 98% | — | — | — | $13,484 |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | No | 611 | 206 | 97% | — | — | — | $17,083 |
| University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | No | 744 | 211 | 73% | — | — | — | $12,975 |
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside | No | 138 | 32 | 86% | — | — | — | $10,531 |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville | No | 351 | 127 | 100% | — | — | — | $14,840 |
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls | No | 411 | 150 | 95% | — | — | — | $14,318 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | No | 938 | 249 | 82% | — | — | — | $14,122 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout | No | 505 | 124 | 78% | — | — | — | $16,063 |
| University of Wisconsin-Superior | No | 555 | 96 | 82% | — | — | — | $12,120 |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | No | 1111 | 339 | 94% | — | — | — | $12,754 |
| Viterbo University | No | 246 | 111 | 58% | — | — | — | $20,512 |
| Wisconsin Lutheran College | No | 86 | 17 | 91% | — | — | — | $21,761 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Wisconsin
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These 14 most affordable schools have a net price under $18,000.
- College of Menominee Nation ($7,401)
- University of Wisconsin-Parkside ($10,531)
- University of Wisconsin-Green Bay ($11,291)
- University of Wisconsin-Superior ($12,120)
- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater ($12,754)
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse ($12,904)
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh ($12,975)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison ($13,484)
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point ($14,122)
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls ($14,318)
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville ($14,840)
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire ($15,713)
- University of Wisconsin-Stout ($16,063)
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ($17,083)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Wisconsin
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Wisconsin
Our list of the top 12 bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- Ripon College (100%)
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville (100%)
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (99%)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (98%)
- Marquette University (97%)
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (97%)
- Lawrence University (96%)
- Maranatha Baptist University (95%)
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (95%)
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (95%)
- Concordia University-Wisconsin (94%)
- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (94%)2
US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2025
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (#1)
- Marquette University (#183 tie)
- University of Wisconsin-Stout (#222 tie)4
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The 21 Wisconsin schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Alverno College*
- Blackhawk Technical College
- Chippewa Valley Technical College
- College of Menominee Nation*
- Concordia University-Wisconsin*
- Fox Valley Technical College
- Gateway Technical College
- Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College
- Lakeshore Technical College
- Madison Area Technical College
- Maranatha Baptist University*
- Mid-State Technical College
- Milwaukee Area Technical College
- Moraine Park Technical College
- Nicolet College
- Northcentral Technical College
- Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
- Northwood Technical College
- Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
- Waukesha County Technical College
- Western Technical College
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
4. US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools 2025: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings