Best Online Special Education Programs in Wisconsin (2026)

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Wisconsin Special Education At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Special Education Salary$62,938
Salary OutlookWisconsin offers competitive wages for special education professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyWisconsin Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online special education degree in Wisconsin offers a flexible path into special education careers. Wisconsin offers competitive wages for special education professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Wisconsin students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Special Education Schools in Wisconsin

The following schools offer accredited online special education programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Wisconsin.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
86.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 89%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $73,792
Avg net price $17,354/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 95%
  • Programs offered: 19

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Bellin College

Green Bay, WI
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
75.7 BOC Score
Graduation rate 89%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $76,222
Avg net price $37,408/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 93%
  • Programs offered: 8

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

La Crosse, WI
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
75.3 BOC Score
Graduation rate 71%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $60,378
Avg net price $16,210/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 86%
  • Programs offered: 11

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Lawrence University

Appleton, WI
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
59.4 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 64%
Graduation rate 77%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $55,789
Avg net price $23,401/yr
Tuition
In‑state$56,982
Out‑of‑state$56,982
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 87%
  • Programs offered: 1

Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#5

Carroll University

Waukesha, WI
  • 4 year
59.0 BOC Score
Graduation rate 66%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $58,009
Avg net price $15,193/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 79%
  • Programs offered: 10

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#6

Saint Norbert College

De Pere, WI
  • 4 year
56.2 BOC Score
Graduation rate 74%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $58,363
Avg net price $26,172/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 83%
  • Programs offered: 4

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#7

Beloit College

Beloit, WI
  • 4 year
55.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 74%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $53,260
Avg net price $21,526/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 83%
  • Programs offered: 3

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#8

Carthage College

Kenosha, WI
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
47.9 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 87%
Graduation rate 62%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $56,950
Avg net price $26,565/yr
Tuition
In‑state$38,750
Out‑of‑state$38,750
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 77%
  • Programs offered: 6

Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Wisconsin

Special Education professionals in Wisconsin experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Wisconsin.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Wisconsin)
Special Education Teacher, Kindergarten and Elementary School$61,520
Special Education Teacher, Middle School$65,840
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School$63,520
Special Education Teacher, Preschool$60,870

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Special Education Degree in Wisconsin?

Choosing a program in Wisconsin can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Wisconsin offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Wisconsin economy and job market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online special education programs in Wisconsin accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Special Education pay in Wisconsin compare to other states?

Wisconsin offers competitive wages for special education professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Wisconsin a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for special education in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Wisconsin. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Special Education Programs by City in Wisconsin

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Appleton · Beloit · Brookfield · Burlington · Caledonia · De Pere · Eau Claire · Fitchburg · Fond du Lac · Fort Atkinson · Franklin · Germantown · Green Bay · Greenfield · Hudson · Janesville · Kenosha · La Crosse · Madison · Manitowoc · Menomonee Falls · Mequon · Milwaukee · Mount Pleasant · Mukwonago · Muskego · Neenah · New Berlin · Oak Creek · Oshkosh · Pleasant Prairie · Racine · Sheboygan · South Milwaukee · Stevens Point · Sun Prairie · Superior · Watertown · Waukesha · Wausau · Wauwatosa · West Allis · West Bend · Wisconsin Rapids


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