Returning to school as an adult student balancing work, family or military responsibilities is a daunting challenge. UW-Stout’s Stout Online gives students the flexibility, affordability and support necessary to succeed in the face of this challenge, and in doing so has once again been ranked among the Best Online Programs by U.S. News & World Report.
Stout Online helps working professionals begin or complete their degrees or advance their career goals through more than 30 online bachelor’s and graduate programs, as well as dozens of certificates, certifications, individual courses and development opportunities.
According to the just-released 2026 rankings from U.S. News, Stout Online offers some of the Best Online Programs in the state, region and nation. UW-Stout ranked No. 3 among all public universities in Wisconsin and Minnesota for its bachelor’s in management and leadership and its master’s in education and engineering programs. These program also attained the following rankings:
- Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs: No. 26 in the Midwest, No. 88 nationwide.
- Best Online Master’s in Education Programs: No. 36 in the Midwest, No. 133 nationwide.
- Best Online Master’s in Engineering Programs: Top 19 in the Midwest, No. 79 nationwide.
“With more than 1,300 online students, we understand that working professionals are balancing academic pursuits with many other responsibilities,” said Provost Glendalí Rodríguez, vice chancellor of Academic Affairs. “Through flexible online offerings, we work to meet students where they are. Given UW-Stout’s polytechnic mission, we facilitate relevant, career-focused education to help working professionals increase their advancement opportunities and skills.”
U.S. News evaluates online programs based on a variety of factors, including student engagement, faculty credentials, and services and technologies. Now in its 14th year, the U.S. News Best Online Programs is designed for individuals looking to complete or further their education. This year’s edition evaluated more than 1,800 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs using metrics specific to online learning. The rankings include only degree-granting programs offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.
Stout Online furthers students’ careers
UW-Stout faculty are experienced industry experts dedicated to teaching the latest in technology and trends in their fields. Small cohorts build close communities and share a wealth of diverse perspectives to enhance each other’s learning.
Students in the online M.S. in manufacturing engineering program, part of UW-Stout’s Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering, enhance their professional skills through assignments and projects that apply to real-life industry problems. They build expertise in continuous process improvement, lean manufacturing, project management and manufacturing engineering processes. Students may also choose to earn a Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate to meet the degree’s elective requirements.
The online M.S. in education is a 30-credit degree program built around a core of 18 teaching and applied research credits, with a selection of 12 elective credits to meet students’ career interests. While meeting those elective requirements, students may earn one of a number of professional certificates or certifications, including Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist, Instructional Design, Math Specialist, Reading Specialist or Teaching Adult Learners.
UW-Stout’s School of Education also offers online master’s programs in school counseling and career and technical education as well as an Ed.D. in career and technical education leadership.
UW-Stout’s online bachelor’s in management and leadership program, offered through the School of Management, has been ranked No. 10 among the best online programs by BestAccreditedColleges.com. It offers eight concentrations to help professionals reach their career goals, including business leadership studies, community-based service management, finance and accounting, human resource management, operations management, project management, quality management, risk control and safety management, and supply chain management.
UW-Stout graduates are in demand, with 99% employed or pursuing additional degrees within six months of graduation, a figure that rises to 100% among graduates of the three online programs honored by U.S. News. Those who received graduate degrees from UW-Stout had an annual starting salary of $74,000. Meanwhile, the average starting salary for recipients of UW-Stout undergraduate degrees was $57,000, according to the university’s most recent First Destination Report.
For its dedication to affordability and student outcomes, UW-Stout has earned national recognition as one of America’s Best Colleges by Money Magazine for two years in a row.
