Colleges & Universities
Wisconsin values education and nowhere is this clearer than in its system of colleges and universities. More than 68,000 students are enrolled each year in the more than two dozen public and private four-year schools serving the region. These include nationally recognized universities, colleges, technical schools and specialty schools. Two schools — University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and Marquette University — account for half of the college students enrolled in the five-county area.
Higher Education
Southeastern Wisconsin also offers a wealth of higher education opportunities. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has more than 25,000 students in more than 190 different undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university's Lubar School of Business accommodates approximately 4,200 students and is noted for its research in manufacturing, information systems, accounting, marketing, finance strategy and leadership, business development, and diversity issues. Marquette University offers over 11,800 students a wide array of academic choices and more than 75 majors through its nationally recognized colleges and schools. More than 2,800 students attend the Milwaukee School of Engineering, a private college with very strong ties to the business community.
The state's vocational education program was the first of its kind in the nation when it was established in 1908. Working closely with business and industry, it provides two-year degrees that are closely matched to real-world needs. In southeastern Wisconsin, vocational schools include the Milwaukee Area Technical College in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties, Waukesha County Technical College in Waukesha County, the Moraine Park Technical College in Washington County and Gateway Technical College in Racine County. These schools have a combined enrollment of nearly 85,000 students in associate degree and certificate programs.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM)
The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) is the second-largest campus in the University of Wisconsin System, with more than 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students representing all 50 states and nearly 90 countries. UWM’s 14 schools and colleges offer more than 190 degree programs, including 64 master’s degree and 36 doctoral degree programs.
UWM is especially known for its School of Architecture & Urban Planning, School of Freshwater Sciences, Lubar School of Business, College of Engineering & Applied Science and College of Health Sciences. In 2011, it was included in the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities, signifying it as one of the world’s best international research universities. In 2016, it was designated a top-tier doctoral research university, joining Yale, Duke and Johns Hopkins universities.
Princeton Review named UWM a “2017 Best Midwestern University” as well. Located a few minutes north of downtown Milwaukee, UWM is a NCAA Division I school, with 15 athletic teams. uwm.edu
Two other four-year University of Wisconsin schools are located in the region. More than 12,400 students attend the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in Walworth County, noted for its College of Business and Economics. Another 4,700 students attend University of Wisconsin-Parkside, located between Racine and Kenosha.
Marquette University
Marquette University Marquette University is the largest private school in the region. A Jesuit, Catholic university, Marquette serves just over 11,800 students from 72 countries. Marquette offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and pre-professional programs in dentistry, law and health sciences. For postgraduate students, Marquette offers 70 doctoral and master's degree programs, more than 20 graduate certificate programs, the School of Dentistry and the Law School. Marquette ranks within the top 100 schools in the 2017 Edition of America’s Best Colleges, which is published by U.S. News & World Report. It is also ranked 54th in Best Value Schools and is recognized as a “Changemaker Campus.” Founded in 1881, Marquette University is located just west of downtown Milwaukee. marquette.edu
Southeastern Wisconsin is home to more than two dozen colleges, universities and specialty schools that offer a full range of educational opportunities - from classroom settings offering low faculty-to-student ratios, to world-class research centers like the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and Marquette University.
Private Colleges
Following are the private, non-specialty four-year schools serving the area:
Alverno College
3400 S. 43rd St., Milwaukee; Enrollment: 2,500; weekday and evening/online undergraduate class options for women; co-ed master’s programs in business, education, nursing and community psychology. www.alverno.edu
Bryant and Stratton College
10950 W. Potter Rd., Wauwatosa; Bayshore Town Center, Glendale and 1320 Warwick Way, Mt. Pleasant; Enrollment: 1,800; Curriculum: diplomas in criminal justice and security services, health services, medical office assistant; associate degrees in accounting, business, graphic design, health services administration, hospitality management-restaurant and hotel services, human resources specialist, medical reimbursement and coding, nursing, interactive media design, criminal justice studies, medical administrative assistant, medical assisting, mobile applications development, networking technology, office management, paralegal studies, occupational therapy assistant, security technology; bachelor's degrees in health services administration, general management, office management, accounting, nursing. Telephone: (414) 302-7000, (414) 969-9600 or (262) 200-7090; www.bryantstratton.edu
Cardinal Stritch University
6801 N. Yates Rd., Milwaukee; Enrollment: 4,600; undergraduate degrees ranging from education to business and the fine arts; graduate programs in nursing, clinical psychology, religious studies; sports management, leadership, health sciences, education and business; day, evening and online classes. Telephone: (414) 410-4000; www.stritch.edu
Carroll University
100 N. East Ave., Waukesha; Enrollment: 3,021 (undergrad), 460 (graduate); Curriculum: liberal arts and pre-professional in 80 areas of study. Telephone: (262) 524-7373; www.carrollu.edu
Concordia University Wisconsin
12800 N. Lake Shore Dr., Mequon; Enrollment: 7,178; Curriculum: liberal arts, business, business nursing, and education. Telephone: (262) 243-5700; www.cuw.edu
Marquette University
1250 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee; Enrollment: 11,800; Curriculum (colleges/schools): arts and sciences, business administration, communication, dentistry, education, engineering, health sciences, law, nursing, and professional studies. Telephone: (414) 288-7250; www.marquette.edu
Mount Mary University
2900 N. Menomonee River Pkwy., Milwaukee; Enrollment: nearly 1,475; Curriculum: liberal arts. Telephone: (414) 258-4810; www.mtmary.edu
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
2310 E. Hartford Ave., Milwaukee; Enrollment: 22,321 (undergraduate), 4,835 (graduate); Curriculum (colleges/schools): letters and sciences, engineering and applied science, architecture and urban planning, education, nursing, business, information studies, continuing education, graduate school, health sciences, social welfare, arts, public health, and freshwater sciences study. Telephone: (414) 229-1122; www.uwm.edu
Wisconsin Lutheran College
8800 W. Bluemound Rd., Milwaukee; Enrollment: 1,188; Curriculum: liberal arts, business, teacher education, and nursing. Telephone: (414) 433-8800; www.wlc.edu
Specialty Schools
Art Institute of Wisconsin
320 E. Buffalo St., Milwaukee; offers bachelor’s degrees in advertising, graphic design, interior design, fashion marketing, digital filmmaking and production, media arts and animation, web design and interactive media. Telephone: (414) 978-5000; www.artinstitutes.edu/milwaukee
Medical College of Wisconsin
8701 W. Watertown Plank Rd., Milwaukee; Enrollment: 1,245 (845 medical students and 400 graduate students), 860 graduate physicians in residency and fellowship training; Curriculum: medical, biomedical science, public health. Telephone: (414) 955-8296; www.mcw.edu
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
273 E. Erie St., Milwaukee; Enrollment: 625; Curriculum: bachelor of fine arts degree in communication design, illustration, industrial design, interior architecture and design, and fine arts. Telephone: (414) 847-3200; www.miad.edu
Milwaukee School of Engineering
1025 N. Broadway, Milwaukee; Enrollment: 2,712 (undergraduate), 227(graduate); Curriculum: engineering, business administration and nursing. Telephone: (414) 277-6763 or (800) 332-6763 www.msoe.edu
Technical Colleges
The state’s vocational education system continues to be a national leader in providing students with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace. Established in the early 1900s, it was the first of its kind in the nation. Today the system serves more than 400,000 students at 16 colleges in the state. Nearly 90 percent of students who complete the state’s technical college programs are employed within six months of their graduation. An additional 8 percent continue their education at a four-year university or other school.
Gateway Technical College
Offers more than 70 diploma, certificate and associate degree programs. Campuses in Racine, Kenosha, Elkhorn, Burlington, Pleasant Prairie and Sturtevant. Telephone: (800) 247-7122; www.gtc.edu
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Offers 150+ associate degree, diploma and certificate programs students can complete in as little as one to two years; a more affordable path to a four-year degree, MATC partners with 35 four-year colleges and universities. Campuses in Downtown Milwaukee, Mequon, Oak Creek and West Allis. Telephone: (414) 297-MATC; Website: www.matc.edu
Moraine Park Technical College
Offers more than 60 associate degrees and diploma programs in the West Bend area. Telephone: (262) 334-3413; www.morainepark.edu
Waukesha County Technical College
More than 150 associate degrees, technical diplomas, apprenticeships and certificate programs. Telephone: (262) 691-5566; www.wctc.edu