You’ve decided to return to college to finish your bachelor’s degree — congratulations! Whether you’re returning to complete your degree after a year or a decade (or more), you may have some options at the University of Wisconsin–Madison when it comes to earning your degree in person or online. Of course, getting an online degree is not exactly the same as attending on campus.
So how do you know which is the best option for you?
Fear not, the chart below comparing UW–Madison Online and on-campus bachelor’s degree programs is here to help you wade through the differences — and similarities — between these two options.
Before you dive in, it’s worth a reminder that UW–Madison Online is a degree completion program, which means it’s designed for transfer or returning students who have already earned 12 or more transferable college credit hours. In-person students, on the other hand, may apply with no college credit — or as transfer, reentry or second degree students.
| Admissions | UW–Madison Online bachelor’s degree program | UW–Madison in-person bachelor’s degree program* | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum college credits required to apply | 12 | 0 for first-year students; 24 for transfer students | |||
| Bachelor’s degrees offered | 3 | 130 | |||
| Admissions review | Holistic | Holistic | |||
| Admission requirements | Competitive GPA; rigor, breadth and performance in high school and college coursework; test scores (optional); and extracurriculars | Competitive GPA; rigor, breadth and performance in high school and college coursework; test scores (optional); and extracurriculars | |||
| Test scores | Not required | Not required | |||
| Application materials | Admissions application; application fee; one essay; transcripts; one letter of recommendation; test scores (optional); English language proficiency scores (if international) | Admissions application; application fee; two essays; transcripts; one letter of recommendation; test scores (optional); English language proficiency scores (if international) | |||
| Application deadlines per year | 5 (two in fall and spring; one in summer) | 3 (two in fall, one in spring) | |||
| Degree conferred by | University of Wisconsin–Madison | University of Wisconsin–Madison | |||
| Admissions events offered | Yes, online (some in person) | Yes, in person or online | |||
| International students accepted | Yes; must meet Comm-A requirement | Yes | |||
| Coursework | UW–Madison Online bachelor’s degree program | UW–Madison in-person bachelor’s degree program* | |||
| Mode of instruction | Fully online | In person; online courses also available | |||
| Course length | 8 weeks | 16 weeks in fall and spring; varies in summer | |||
| Course start dates | Two start dates in fall and spring; various start dates for summer | One start date for fall and spring; various start dates for summer | |||
| Time to degree | 2–4+ years depending on transferable credits | ~ 4 years depending on AP, transfer and other credits | |||
| Credits | ~ 120 credits | ~ 120 credits | |||
| On-campus courses | No | Yes | |||
| Instructors | UW–Madison professors, adjunct instructors and graduate students | UW–Madison professors, adjunct instructors and graduate students | |||
| Student cohort | Complete most of your coursework with other UW–Madison Online students | Complete your coursework with other in-person students | |||
| Part-time attendance ok? | Yes | Typically no | |||
| Earn a degree while balancing other personal/professional obligations? | Yes | Varies by course of study and credit load | |||
| Technology requirements | Laptop, high-speed internet, microphone, webcam | Laptop | |||
| Fees & Financial aid | UW–Madison Online bachelor’s degree program | UW–Madison in-person bachelor’s degree program* | |||
| Tuition | $675 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state students | $9,646 annually for full-time in-state students
$40,611 annually for full-time out-of-state students For academic year 2023–24 |
|||
| Average number of credit hours completed by semester | 5–7 in fall and spring; 4 in summer | 15 in fall and spring; 4–5 in summer | |||
| Financial aid available | Yes | Yes | |||
| Scholarships available | Yes | Yes | |||
| Additional segregated fees | No | Yes | |||
| Additional costs for campus housing, transportation and meals | No | Yes | |||
| Student services | UW–Madison Online bachelor’s degree program | UW–Madison in-person bachelor’s degree program* | |||
| Dedicated admissions counselors and other student support staff | Yes | Yes | |||
| Professional networking | Access to UW–Madison alumni network | Access to UW–Madison alumni network | |||
| Academic advising and career support | Yes | Yes | |||
| Veteran services | Yes | Yes | |||
| Employer partnerships | Yes | Yes | |||
| * This is meant to be a general comparison only. Degree requirements and programs vary by discipline. Please check the UW–Madison Guide for program requirements for your degree program. | |||||
Still have questions? We’re here to help! Our team of friendly, knowledgeable enrollment coaches is standing by to answer additional questions and provide helpful information, resources and support as you decide on the next steps in your educational journey. Whether you attend UW–Madison online or in person, you’ll have earned your bachelor’s degrees from one of the nation’s top public universities — and you’ll always be a Badger.
For more information on UW–Madison Online and being an online Badger, please see The Ultimate Guide to Online Business Degrees.