Top 10 Affordable MBA Programs in Wisconsin

Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees are a popular choice for a reason � they often lead to high-paying, stable jobs. Unfortunately, they can sometimes be expensive.

Many states in the U.S., including Wisconsin, offer high-quality but affordable MBA programs. Keep reading to discover the top affordable MBA programs in Wisconsin.

Top Affordable MBA Programs in Wisconsin

Students can choose from several public and private nonprofit universities, including affordable online colleges in Wisconsin. Below, we've featured ten of the top affordable MBA programs in Wisconsin.

1. Concordia University Wisconsin

Concordia University Wisconsin is a private Lutheran university in Mequon, Wisconsin. Its School of Business offers flexible in-person and online MBA programs with 14 concentrations, including:

• healthcare administration
• management information systems
• operations management and analytics
• sustainability

This 36-credit degree program costs $725 per credit for a total of $26,100. The university offers several scholarships to help students pay for their business programs.

2. Lakeland University

Lakeland University is a private university in Herman, Wisconsin. It offers an on-campus and online MBA program with a dozen areas of emphasis, such as:

• healthcare management
• human resource management
• project management
• supply chain management

The MBA program at Lakeland costs $708 per credit, which comes to $25,488 for the required 36 credit hours. Students can take advantage of multiple Lakeland scholarships to make the cost of their degree more affordable.

3. Marquette University

Marquette University is a private Catholic research university in Milwaukee. Its College of Business Administration offers several MBA programs, including an online and an executive MBA, with specializations like:

• business analytics
• international business
• sport business
• supply chain management

This program charges $1,360 per credit, and the number of credits varies by student. The university offers several financial aid programs to help students cover the cost of their business degree.

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a public university in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It offers MBA programs on campus and online through the University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium and offers concentrations in general management and healthcare management.

The program requires 36 credits and charges $850 per credit for a total cost of $30,600. Fellowship and graduate assistantship opportunities are available to help students pay for their degrees.

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public research university in Madison, Wisconsin. It's the flagship of the University of Wisconsin system and has been named best in Wisconsin on the U.S. News and World Report's rankings of best business schools.

Its Wisconsin School of Business offers full-time, professional, and executive MBA degrees with specializations such as:

• brand and marketing management
• corporate finance and investment banking
• strategic human resource management
• technology strategy and product management

Tuition costs vary between programs, but the traditional, full-time program costs a total of $57,851.42 for in-state residents and $81,499.90 for out-of-state residents.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a public urban research university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the largest UW school by enrollment. It offers a traditional, online, and executive MBA through its Sheldon B. Lubar College of Business with options to choose electives in areas like:

• business analytics
• health care management
• information technology management
• marketing

In-state residents studying full-time pay $7,755.76 per term, while out-of-state residents pay $15,152.56, although there are reciprocity agreements with midwestern states that lower tuition for those residents.

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public university in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Its College of Business offers an in-person and online MBA program with an optional emphasis on healthcare management or project management.

Tuition varies depending on which program you choose. The full-time, on-campus program costs $7,490.55 yearly for in-state residents and $12,432.36 for non-residents. Reciprocity agreements with Minnesota and other midwest states will lower the non-resident tuition.

University of Wisconsin-Parkside

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is a public university in Somers, Wisconsin. It offers an on-campus and an online MBA with concentrations like:

• data analytics
• general management
• global management
• supply chain management

In-state residents pay $4,446 per term for the in-person program, while out-of-state residents pay $9,759.51 with the exception of reciprocity students. Online students pay a flat rate of $21,234 for the entire program.

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is a public university in Steven's Point, Wisconsin. It offers a hybrid and an online MBA.

Tuition for this program comes to a total of $26,100. Students may qualify for financial aid to help lower their tuition costs.

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is a public university in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Its College of Business and Economics offers an MBA with several concentrations, including:

• data analytics
• environmental safety and health
• human resource management
• project management

The program costs $695 per credit regardless of your state of residence. A minimum of 36 credits are required, for a total of $25,020.

FAQs About Affordable MBA Programs

Below, we've answered frequently asked questions about affordable MBA programs in Wisconsin.

How Much Does an MBA Cost in Wisconsin?

The cost of an MBA program in Wisconsin depends on several factors, including the school you choose, whether you're an in-state or out-of-state resident, and the amount of coursework you need to complete. However, several programs offer MBAs for under $30,000.

Is an MBA Worth it Financially?

Many graduates find an MBA to be worth it financially, as this degree allows them to pursue their career goals and earn a higher salary. The hands-on work experience from internships or fellowships can also give MBA graduates a boost in the job market.

What Is the ROI of an MBA Program in Wisconsin?

Like cost, return on investment can vary depending on several factors. ROI is calculated by looking at the average salary within three months of graduating versus the amount of debt an MBA grad has from their program.

For example, the average MBA graduate from UW-Madison has a salary of $159,610 versus student debts of $46,682. That's an ROI ratio of 3.4:1.

How Can I Make an MBA Program More Affordable?

There are several things that MBA students can do to make their program more affordable, starting with filling out the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). This determines eligibility for things like grants and scholarships.

Look for scholarships, fellowships, and assistantship programs. Maintaining a high GPA and scoring well on your GRE or GMAT can help you land these opportunities. Choosing a low-cost program is a good start as well. Public universities often charge lower tuition for in-state students than private ones.

If your college or university offers a flat tuition rate for full-time study, choose a full-time schedule over a part-time schedule. Additionally, if you can take graduate-level coursework in your bachelor's degree, you can transfer that coursework into your master's program.