The 15 Best Business Schools In Wisconsin

Do you want to pursue a business degree in Wisconsin but feel overwhelmed with all of your options? Wisconsin has many fantastic business schools, so you should spend some time reviewing your options.

Going to business school can open you up for many opportunities, such as study abroad programs and community engagement. Many business students can get internships and work with local companies to prepare for their careers.

Degrees Offered

Some of the best business schools in Wisconsin offer degrees from the bachelor’s level to the doctoral level, so you can get as much education as you choose. If you know you want a bachelor’s and a master’s, you can even look for a 4+1 program to finish both degrees in less time.

You can also choose between multiple business majors at most Wisconsin business schools. Some schools only offer traditional concentrations, like accounting. But other schools offer courses in international business or digital marketing.

School Location

Many Wisconsin business schools are in or near cities, such as Milwaukee or Madison. While other schools are in smaller towns, the community in a college town can also be beneficial. The variety of business schools in Wisconsin means students can learn where they learn best.

School Size

Business students can attend a school with over 40,000 students or with around 2,000 students. Both types of schools can offer fantastic resources to help students learn. Whether you want to have one-on-one contact with your professors or prefer a large cohort of students, you can find what you need in Wisconsin.

Budget

You can also consider your budget when deciding on the best business schools in Wisconsin for you. Wisconsin residents can go to a school in the University of Wisconsin system for not much money. And while the private schools usually have higher tuition, many of them offer financial aid.

Out of the Classroom

Many of the top business schools in Wisconsin offer experiences outside of the classroom. You can join a business student organization, and you can learn more about your specific field in business.

Some colleges and universities also have innovative business centers where students can work with faculty on unique projects. Many business schools also offer academic advising to keep students on track, and students can also get career advice as they reach graduation.

Specializations

When comparing business schools in Wisconsin, you should look at their specializations. You can compare that to what you want to major in and do after college. If you want to become an entrepreneur, you should look for a school with that major or other resources for entrepreneurship.

If you want to specialize in healthcare management and business, you can find a school that offers that. Don’t be afraid to research the faculty and see what they do. Wisconsin business school ranking does matter, but you need to choose a place where you will be happy.

College vs. Department

Many larger colleges have a college of business, while some smaller schools have a business department. Both options can provide fantastic business education, but they do differ in size. If you want to go to a college of business, you should consider that before applying to one of the smaller schools.

Here Are The 15 Best Business Schools in Wisconsin

1. Marquette University College of Business Administration

• Business Degrees Offered: 16
• Average Yearly College Tuition: $33,081
• Private School
• School Size: 8,515 (total) 1,884 (business)
• Specializations: Joint undergraduate and graduate degree programs

What Makes Marquette University a Good Business School?

Marquette College of Business Administration offers 11 undergraduate business programs and 5 graduate business programs. Some of their graduate courses are online, making it one of the best business schools in Wisconsin for working adults. The joint bachelor’s and master's degrees are perfect for students who know they want to go to graduate school but want to finish early.

In the business school, you won’t find graduate students teaching undergraduate courses. Marquette business professors teach everything, so you can get to know the professors.

The college offers multiple ways for students to get involved. You can join one or more of the many student organizations, including the Commercial Banking Club and the Marketing Club.

When you’re ready to look for a job, the Career Center has a ton of resources. You can get help with your resume, and you can find jobs and internships.

2. University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business

• Business Degrees Offered: 20
• Average Yearly College Tuition: $14,169
• Public University
• Enrollment: 43,820 (total) 3,576 (business)
• Specializations: experiential learning, student and faculty research, innovative curriculum

What Makes University of Wisconsin-Madison a Good Business School?

The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business offers 11 undergraduate business majors, including accounting, real estate, and international business. Students can choose any of the available majors based on their interests. First-year students can fully immerse themselves by living in a residential community with a focus on business.

Students can also get involved in over 40 business-related student organizations. And anyone who wants to study abroad during college can do so. Academic advisors can help you plan out your course schedule to help you stay on track with your degree.

Graduate students can pursue MBAs as well as specialized master's degrees in finance and supply chain management. One of the top business schools in Wisconsin, the school offers a Ph.D. in eight areas of study.

3. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire College of Business

• Business Degrees Offered: 14
• Average Yearly College Tuition: $13,940
• Public University
• Enrollment: 10,737 (total)
• Specializations: life-long learning, focus on students, innovative teaching

What Makes University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire a Good School?

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire offers 14 business majors and concentrations. Students can focus on management, accounting, or business finance. Before deciding on a concentration, students can also pursue the business undecided major, which can allow time to explore various areas of business.

The school also offers a Master in Business Administration, making it one of the best business schools in Wisconsin for graduate students. Students interested in the military can also pursue Army ROTC training while in the UWEC College of Business.

Outside of classes, students can take part in student organizations and internships. Students may also qualify for scholarships and other financial aid. Advising can help students succeed during their business degree, and various business centers provide real-world experience to students.

4. Concordia University-Wisconsin Batterman School of Business

• Business Degrees Offered: 54
• Average Yearly College Tuition: $24,803
• Private School
• Enrollment: 7,721 (total)
• Specializations: entrepreneurship, business, and healthcare

What Makes the Batterman School of Business a Great Choice?

The Batterman School of Business at Concordia University-Wisconsin consistently has a high Wisconsin business school ranking. Students can pursue minors and certificates in addition to majors in the field of business. Programs range from business management to healthcare administration.

Outside of classes, students can participate in student organizations such as the accounting club or investment club. The business school is in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, and students have access to resources to study business and its relationship to such fields as healthcare.

Concordia University-Wisconsin also offers multiple outreach programs to help students start businesses and learn from industry leaders. The school also has an advisory board of business professionals who can provide their insight to make business education more applicable to the industry.

5. Carthage College

• Business Degrees Offered: 6
• Average Yearly College Tuition: $27,156
• Private School
• Enrollment: 2,800 (total)
• Specializations: student-centered learning philosophy called READY curriculum design

What Makes Carthage College a Good Business School?

The small campus size and tight-knit community make Carthage College a great school for students who don’t want to be just a number. Their focus on student-centered learning means you can learn leadership skills and work in teams, and you can learn business.

While the school doesn’t have as many business degrees as larger colleges, it does feature the most common majors. You can study economics, accounting, marketing, and international policy. The school also offers business clubs that you can join to interact with other business students outside of class.

This school’s program is one of the best business schools in Wisconsin for public and private sector careers. If money is tight, you can apply for scholarships to cover most or even all of your tuition. That way, you can get a world-class education without taking out loans.

Their location between Chicago and Milwaukee makes it easy to network and pursue internships and part-time work to prepare you for after you graduate.

6. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse College of Business Administration

• Business Degrees Offered: 7
• Average Yearly College Tuition: $13,419
• Public University
• Enrollment: 10,546 (total) 1,914 (business)
• Specializations: relevant curriculum

What Makes University of Wisconsin-La Crosse a Good Business School?

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse values an innovative curriculum that makes it one of the top business schools in Wisconsin. Students have interactive classes to help them learn, and the school offers opportunities for global engagement and collaboration. The school also values the diversity of thought, so students can learn about other opinions.

As a student, you can take part in different organizations both in and out of the College of Business Administration. Academic advisors can help make sure you’re on track with your coursework so that you can successfully complete your degree.

The school works with employers to help you find a job for when you graduate, and you can also look for internships during school. If you want to study abroad, you can do that as well, which is especially useful for international business majors.

7. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics

• Business Degrees Offered: 17
• Average Yearly College Tuition: $12,094
• Public University
• Enrollment: 10,091 (total)
• Specializations: degrees at all levels

What Makes University of Wisconsin-Whitewater a top Business School?

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is one of a few high-caliber business schools with Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation. It’s held that accreditation since the 1970s, and it continues to have a rigorous business curriculum for all students in the college.

The College of Business and Economics is one of the most flexible and top-rated business schools in Wisconsin. Students can major in entrepreneurship, accounting, or general business. Most of the available majors are also minors, so students can choose to study multiple aspects of business during their degree.

This college also has multiple business resources, including a center for economic education and a small business development center. Students can work with one or more of the centers and institutes to learn outside of the classroom.

Academic advising and career services can help students prepare for their degree and beyond. Students have access to international opportunities and internships during their time in college.

8. Viterbo University Dahl School of Business

• Business Degrees Offered: 11
• Average Yearly College Tuition: $20,721
• Private School
• Enrollment: 2,677 (total)
• Specializations: life-long learning and service

What Makes the Dahl School of Business a good business school?

The Dahl School of Business at Viterbo University has a good Wisconsin business school ranking. Students get access to faculty and mentorship from professionals in the area. There are scholarships available to help students pay for their degree, and advising covers both academic and professional advising.

All business students will complete at least one paid internship during school to help gain experience. After graduation, most students find jobs within six months.

Undergraduate and graduate students can study business administration, but specializations in accounting, marketing, and other business areas are available. Bachelor’s candidates can also pursue a minor in another field of business, such as sport leadership or finance.

Students who want to also get an MBA can choose the 4+1 BBA to MBA program. It combines the two degrees so that students can finish school in five years. However, students can also choose to pursue the degrees separately or to only do one degree.

9. St. Norbert College Schneider School of Business

• Business Degrees Offered: 7
• Average Yearly College Tuition: $27,002
• Private School
• Enrollment: 2,132 (total) about 550 (business)
• Specializations: real-world learning, leadership, research

What Makes St. Norbert College one of the best business schools in Wisconsin?

St. Norbert College offers undergraduate and graduate programs in different areas of business. Undergraduate majors include accounting, leadership studies, and data analytics. Students interested in a foreign language can major in international business and language area studies to combine their interests.

The Center for Business & Economic Analysis gives students the chance to work with faculty on business-intelligence needs for the area. Students can collaborate and solve problems to help businesses in the region. Internships are also available for students who want professional experience during college.

St. Norbert College offers over 70 study abroad programs in 30 countries, making it one of the best business schools in Wisconsin for international business. The business school also has a Strategic Research Institute and a Family Business Forum for students to learn even more outside of the classroom.

10. Edgewood College

• Business Degrees Offered: 6
• Average Yearly College Tuition: $26,398
• Private School
• Enrollment: 2,650 (total)
• Specializations: business education

What Makes Edgewood College a top Business School in Wisconsin?

Edgewood College is a small college in Madison, WI, so students have access to many off-campus opportunities. In the program, students learn how to solve problems and create new opportunities. Students also learn how to ask the right questions and how to decide what risks are worth taking.

The curriculum makes it one of the top business schools in Wisconsin for preparing students for the real world, and the Career Development Program is a huge part of coursework. Students participate in informational interviews, internships, and job shadowing to learn more about potential careers and jobs.

Recently, Edgewood College started offering an MBA for students wishing to continue their business education. Students can pursue a degree online or take in-person classes in the evenings while working full-time.

11. University of Wisconsin-Stout

• Business Degrees Offered: business administration, fashion and retail, supply chain management
• Average Yearly College Tuition: $14,866
• Public University
• Enrollment: 9,619 (total)
• Specializations: fashion and retail, digital marketing, entrepreneurship

What Makes University of Wisconsin-Stout a Good Business School?

The University of Wisconsin-Stout offers three main degree programs with further concentrations. Students can pursue a typical business administration degree, and students can prepare for careers in marketing, human resources, and project management. Another degree focuses on fashion and retail, so students can learn about that industry.

Students can also get a degree in supply chain management to learn how to improve production. Minors in business administration and digital marketing make it one of the best business schools for students who want flexibility. Students can learn about more than one aspect of business during their degree.

The business department has a few initiatives that faculty are working on, such as corporate leadership, financial wellness, and executive education. Students can contact the professors leading these projects to learn more about the work. After graduation, students will be ready to pursue many careers in business.

12. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lubar School of Business

• Business Degrees Offered: 15
• Average Yearly College Tuition: $14,555
• Public University
• Enrollment: 43,820 (total) 3,321 (business)
• Specializations: research

What Makes Lubar School of Business great?

The Lubar School of Business offers programs at the bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. Students can pursue degrees focusing on accounting, marketing, or information technology management. Certificates are also available in real estate and entrepreneurship, among other fields, so it’s one of the top business schools in Wisconsin at all levels.

Outside of class, students can work with the centers and institutes at the school of business. The Center for Technology Innovation and the M&I Center for Business Ethics are two options open to students and the community. This school also offers a research seminar series where students can hear from speakers all over the country.

Students can connect with potential employers to learn about career opportunities and apply for jobs. During school, students can participate in Student Projects with partner employers, and companies can then recruit students who are about to graduate.

13. Cardinal Stritch University

• Business Degrees Offered: business, with concentrations
• Average Yearly College Tuition: $17,471
• Private School
• Enrollment: 5,842 (total)
• Specializations: Professional Core

What Makes Cardinal Stritch University one of the best business schools in Wisconsin?

Students at Cardinal Stritch University can choose between four concentrations with their business major. Concentrations include an introduction to business, economics and accounting, advanced business principles, and human resources and marketing.

The business major features a professional core, which includes a pre-internship, internship, and capstone requirement. Students must complete the core to graduate.

Business students learn how to run a business, so they can pursue careers in almost any part of business. The program prepares students for complex business environments, and students can work with each other and professors when they need help.

14. University of Wisconsin-Parkside

• Business Degrees Offered: 7
• Average Yearly College Tuition: $10,409
• Public University
• Enrollment: 4,829 (total)
• Specializations: flexible programs

What Makes University of Wisconsin-Parkside a Good Business School?

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside offers students a small environment with plenty of opportunities to interact with professors and other students. Students can pursue a degree full-time or part-time based on their schedule, making the program very flexible.

The school is about halfway between Milwaukee and Chicago, so students have access to plenty of internship and job opportunities outside of class. Students can learn relevant skills to prepare for their careers both in and out of the classroom. Majors include marketing, accounting, and business management.

Students can also minor in fields such as global management and management information systems. After finishing a bachelor’s, students can continue their education with an MBA either in-person or online.

Business students can join various organizations and enjoy other aspects of being in college, such as athletics. Students can get an excellent education at a small school, so UWP is one of the top business schools in Wisconsin.

15. University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh College of Business

• Business Degrees Offered: 13
• Average Yearly College Tuition: $12,819
• Public University
• Enrollment: 13,513 (total)
• Specializations: accounting, technology

What Makes University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh a Good Business School?

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh College of Business offers nine undergraduate majors in accounting, finance, and other areas of business. One unique major available is interactive web management, which focuses on social media management and digital tools for businesses.

All business students start off by taking classes in the BBA core program. Once students reach their junior year, they can start taking classes in their respective majors. At any point during college, students can take advantage of professional development and college to career resources available from the College of Business.

Students can also pursue internships during their degree to get more career preparation. Graduates can continue their education with a degree in applied biotechnology, information technology management, and the traditional MBA.