At least prospective college students have plenty of options for earning that degree, including more local ones than most probably realize. In Milwaukee and surrounding cities alone, there are more than two dozen institutions offering specialized degrees in almost every field imaginable, and the proliferation of online colleges has made it easier than ever for those with even the most unforgiving of schedules to earn a degree.
To help students make the most informed choice possible, the Shepherd Express has compiled a guide to many of the prominent universities in the area, breaking schools down by size, cost and specialties.
Where the Jobs Are
Of course, what many students are most interested in knowing is which fields will most likely land them a job.
The good news is that some fields are still growing in southeastern Wisconsin, including information technology, health care, the environment and energy.
The bad news is that it won’t do you much good if you’re not interested in any of those fields.
Picking a major based solely on which field is most likely to get you a job “is probably the worst piece of advice I could think of,” says Thomas Bachhuber, Ed.D., director of the Career Development Center at UW-Milwaukee.
“It sounds simplistic to say you have to follow your heart,” Bachhuber says, “but when picking a major you at least have to have a sense of what’s in your heart. We always talk to students about their interests, skills and values. Those three things have to come together in a way that works for you.”
In short, Bachhuber and other career counselors advise, don’t dwell too much on intimidating unemployment numbers, and focus instead on training yourself for a job you think you would enjoy.
Bachhuber’s other golden rule: Don’t go it alone. Most colleges offer counselors and career service centers that can help you hone a viable career path. It’s never too early to meet with them.
For Returning Adult Students
Unemployment and the shifting jobs market have created a surge in returning adult students. One of the biggest myths for these students is that to find a job they need to make a clean break from their previous careers and start fresh, says Laura Kestner, director of Marquette University’s Career Services Center.
“They don’t,” Kestner says. “They should look at what skills from their last jobs are transferable to other fields. A lot of people don’t even need to go back to school, they just need to update and change the language on their résumé so it’s more relevant to different jobs.”
Kestner says that older job seekers are at a disadvantage, however, if they aren’t using online social networks.
“If you’re not onboard social networking professionally, you’re missing a lot of opportunities,” she says. “People are finding jobs through Twitter right now, and are making connections and getting their foot in the door through LinkedIn.”
Resources are available to make returning to school less intimidating for adult students. Many colleges offer continuing education programs and counselors for returning students, and UW-Milwaukee opens its Career Transitions Center to Milwaukee residents even if they are not enrolled in the university. The center offers career coaches, workshops and courses.
Milwaukee Area Technical College
www.matc.edu
414-297-6282
Milwaukee, Wis., with campuses in Mequon, Oak Creek and West Allis
Institution Type: technical college, two-year associate degrees
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 50,000
Student-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Cost Per Year: $3,648 - $4,768
Cost Per Credit: $114 - $149
Online Classes: hundreds available
Specialties: business, health, liberal arts and sciences, pre-college, technical and applied sciences, advanced technical certificates
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
www.uwm.edu
414-229-1122
Milwaukee, Wis.
Institution Type: public doctoral research university
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 30,455
Student-Faculty Ratio: 21:1
Cost Per Year: $7,988 (tuition and fees for residents)
Cost Per Credit: $287 (residents)
Online Classes: some available
Specialties: architecture and urban planning, fine arts, freshwater sciences, nursing and health sciences, liberal arts, offering specialist and doctoral degrees
Marquette University
www.marquette.edu
414-288-7250
Milwaukee, Wis.
Institution Type: Catholic and Jesuit private college, doctoral research university
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 11,700 students
Student-Faculty Ratio: 14.4:1
Cost Per Year: $28,680 (undergraduate)
Online Classes: some available
Specialties: biomedical engineering, corporate communication, dental, real estate, construction engineering and management, many graduate programs and specialized certificates, doctoral and professional degrees offered
Concordia University Wisconsin
www.cuw.edu
262-243-5700
Mequon, Wis.
Institution Type: four-year private
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 7,178
Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Cost Per Year: $20,990 (tuition and fees), $7,930 (room and board)
Online Classes: some available
Specialties: master and doctoral degrees in physical therapy and nursing practice
Herzing University
www.herzing.edu
1-888-639-2273
Milwaukee, Wis., with campuses in Brookfield, Kenosha and Madison
Institution Type: private university, offering three-year bachelor degrees
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 7,000
Student-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Cost Per Year: $14,400 (includes books and fees)
Cost Per Credit: $250-$625 (includes books and fees)
Online Classes: many available
Specialties: technology, business, health care, design, public safety, offering master, bachelor and associate degrees
Cardinal Stritch
www.stritch.edu
414-410-4000
Milwaukee, Wis.
Institution Type: Four-year, private, Catholic Franciscan university
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 6,200
Student-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Cost Per Year: $21,280
Online Classes: some available
Specialties: business, education, initial teaching certification, leadership, nursing, sport management, fine arts, offering associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certification programs
Lakeland College
www.lakeland.edu
1-800-569-2166
Sheboygan, Wis., with adult education centers in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Fox Cities, Wisconsin Rapids and Chippewa Falls
Institution Type: private
Accreditation: North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement
Number of Students: 4,000
Student-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Cost Per Credit: $340 (undergraduate) $410 (graduate)
Online Classes: many available
Specialties: accounting, education, resort management, resort management, criminal justice
Carroll University
www.carrollu.edu
262-547-1211
Waukesha, Wis.
Institution Type: four-year private
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 3,403
Student-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Cost Per Year: $22,470 (undergraduate)
Cost Per Credit: $270 (undergraduate) $345 (nursing or undergraduate online)
Online Classes: some available
Specialties: health sciences, nursing, education, music education, physical therapy, nonprofit management, e-commerce
Alverno College
www.alverno.edu
414-382-6100
Milwaukee, Wis.
Institution Type: private women’s college
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 2,815
Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Cost Per Year: $18,624 (undergraduate) $20,184 (nursing)
Cost Per Credit: $776 (undergraduate)
Online Classes: none available
Specialties: business, nursing, special education, arts and science, technology, liberal arts, offering bachelor, master and associate degrees
Milwaukee School of Engineering
www.msoe.edu
414-277-7300
Milwaukee, Wis.%u2028
Institution Type: private
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 2,648
Student-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Cost Per Year: $28,665 (full-time undergraduate)
Cost Per Credit: $498 (undergraduate), $603 (graduate)
Online Classes: none available
Specialties: engineering, information technology, management
Carthage College
www.carthage.edu
262-551-6000
Kenosha, Wis.
Institution Type: four-year private liberal arts and sciences
Accreditation: North Central Association
Number of Students: 2,500 (full-time undergraduate)
Student-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Cost Per Year: $29,750
Online Classes: none available
Specialties: business, education, natural sciences, fine arts, paralegal certificates and M.Ed. degrees offered
Bryant & Stratton College
www.bryantstratton.edu
414-276-5200
Locations in Milwaukee, Wauwatosa and Bayshore Town Center
Institution Type: private
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Number of Students: 2,000
Student-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Cost Per Year: $5,800 - $7,300 (full-time student per term)
Cost Per Credit: $489
Online Classes: some available
Specialties: technology, health care, nursing, criminal justice, business, financial services
Mount Mary College
www.mtmary.edu
1-800-321-6265
Milwaukee, Wis.
Institution Type: Catholic women's college
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 1,929 (graduate and undergraduate)
Student-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Cost Per Year: $21,668 (undergraduate, full-time)
Cost Per Credit: $648 (undergraduate)
Online Classes: some available
Specialties: fashion, occupational therapy, interior design, art therapy, dietetics
Marian University
www.marianuniversity.edu
920-923-7600
Fond du Lac, Wis.
Institution Type: private
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 1,700
Student-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Cost Per Year: $21,140 (undergraduate)
Cost Per Credit: $315 (undergraduate), $330-$500 (graduate)
Online Classes: some available
Specialties: nursing, health care administration, sport and recreation management, radiologic technology, forensic science, homeland security, educational leadership
Medical College of Wisconsin
www.mcw.edu
414-456-8296
Milwaukee, Wis.
Institution Type: private
Accreditation: Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
Number of Students: 820
Student-Faculty Ratio: 1:1.35
Cost Per Year: $54,711 (total budget)
Online Classes: none available
Specialties: medical, offering MD and MD/PhD degrees
Wisconsin Lutheran College
www.wlc.edu
414-443-8800
Milwaukee, Wis.
Institution Type: four-year private college
Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 784
Student-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Cost Per Year: $21,180 (tuition and fees)
Cost Per Credit: $640
Online Classes: available in 2011
Specialties: urban education, Christian leadership, nursing
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
www.miad.edu
1-888-749-6423
Milwaukee, Wis.
Institution Type: four-year private
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Association of Schools of Art & Design
Number of Students: 680
Student-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Cost Per Year: $24,950
Cost Per Credit: $835
Online Classes: none available
Specialties: drawing, communication design, illustration, interior architecture and design, photography, video and animation
DeVry University - Wisconsin
www.devry.edu
414-278-7677
Milwaukee, Wis.
Institution Type: four-year private
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 333
Student-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Cost Per Year: $14,160 (tuition and fees)
Cost Per Credit: $550
Online Classes: some available
Specialties: business administration, computer information, management, technology, accounting, offering bachelor and master degrees
Lakeside School of Massage Therapy
www.lakeside.edu
414-372-4345
Milwaukee, Wis.
Institution Type: private
Accreditation: Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation
Number of Students: 112
Student-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Cost Per Year: $10,305
Cost Per Credit: $251.34
Online Classes: none available
Specialties: massage therapy, offering diploma and associate degree programs
Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology
www.wspp.edu
414-464-9777
Milwaukee, Wis.
Institution Type: graduate school
Accreditation: American Psychological Association, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 73
Student-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
Cost Per Year: $18,200
Cost Per Credit: $700
Online Classes: none
Specialties: clinical psychology (adult and child track)
Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology
www.aurora.org/radtech
414-747-4330
Milwaukee, Wis.
Institution Type: two-year hospital-based certificate program in radiologic technology
Accreditation: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
Number of Students: 37
Student-Faculty Ratio: 6.8:1
Cost Per Year: $2,500, plus books
Online Classes: none available
Specialties: certificate program in radiologic science
Neighboring UW System Universities:
University of Wisconsin-Madison
www.wisc.edu
608-263-2400
Madison, Wis.
Institution Type: public doctoral research university
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 42,030
Student-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Cost Per Year: $7,568.56 (undergraduate Wisconsin resident)
Cost Per Credit: $293.57 (undergraduate Wisconsin resident)
Online Classes: many available
Specialties: chemistry, physics, sociology, engineering, business, social work, education, political science
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
www.uwosh.edu
920-424-1234
Oshkosh, Wis.
Institution Type: public university
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 13,198
Student-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Cost Per Year: $6,450 (resident)
Online Classes: some available
Specialties: 74 degrees offered
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
www.uww.edu
262-472-1234
Whitewater, Wis.
Institution Type: public university
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 10,700
Student-Faculty Ratio: 21:1
Cost Per Year: $5,860 (resident)
Cost Per Credit: variable
Online Classes: some available
Specialties: business and education
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
www.uwp.edu
262-595-2345
Kenosha, Wis.
Institution Type: public university
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, School of Business & Technology and AACSB International
Number of Students: 5,300
Student-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Cost Per Year: $6,275 (resident)
Cost Per Credit: $264 (resident)
Online Classes: very few available
Specialties: pre-health science, community engagement
University of Wisconsin-Washington County
www.washington.uwc.edu
262-335-5200
West Bend, Wis.
Institution Type: public two-year university
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Number of Students: 1,042
Student-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Cost Per Year: $4,593.06 (resident)
Cost Per Credit: $191.38 (resident)
Online Classes: many available
Specialties: freshman and sophomore curriculums for more than 200 majors
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