Best Database Administration Degree Programs in Wisconsin — 2026 Rankings

State Aid Programs

Wisconsin students pursuing database administration degrees have access to multiple layers of financial support. The primary state-level aid program is the Wisconsin Grant, a need-based grant administered through the University of Wisconsin System that helps eligible Wisconsin residents attending UW institutions offset tuition costs. Additionally, all students can apply for federal aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which determines eligibility for Pell Grants, federal loans, and work-study opportunities. The Federal Student Aid website provides comprehensive resources for understanding federal loan options, repayment plans, and income-driven repayment programs specifically designed for graduates entering tech careers.

Key Programs & Amounts

Beyond state and federal programs, individual institutions offer merit-based scholarships and institutional aid packages. The University of Wisconsin System schools, which educate the majority of Wisconsin's database administration students, often provide additional scholarship opportunities for computer science and information technology majors. Students should contact their institution's financial aid office to inquire about program-specific scholarships and employer partnerships. For those attending private institutions like Marquette University or Concordia University-Wisconsin, institutional aid packages may be substantial. The College Scorecard tool allows prospective students to compare net price and average aid awarded at different Wisconsin institutions, helping families make informed financial decisions about their database administration program selection.

Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a database administration degree in Wisconsin. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.

State Transfer System

Wisconsin's robust transfer ecosystem makes it seamless for students to begin their database administration education at a community college and transition to a four-year institution. The state's Universal Credit Transfer Agreement (UCTA) guarantees that general education credits earned at any participating Wisconsin institution automatically transfer within the University of Wisconsin System (Universal Credit Transfer Agreement). With 21 two-year institutions and 50 four-year institutions in Wisconsin, students have abundant options (IPEDS). The associate's program at Waukesha County Technical College, which produced 2 completions in the most recent cycle, provides an affordable entry point with $4,386 tuition, allowing students to complete foundational coursework before pursuing a bachelor's degree at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee or another four-year school.

How Transfers Work

Students leveraging the UCTA benefit from guaranteed credit acceptance, eliminating the risk of losing coursework when transferring. This pathway proves especially valuable for working adults and students seeking cost-effective options; by completing general education requirements at a two-year college, students can defer expenses while building strong foundational skills in mathematics, computer science, and databases. Once transferred, students enroll in upper-level database administration courses at bachelor's-granting institutions, ensuring credits count toward their degree. Wisconsin's Wisconsin Grant program provides need-based financial aid to eligible residents attending UW System institutions, supporting both initial and transfer enrollment (Wisconsin Grant). For more information on affordability, see Most Affordable Database Administration Programs. Students can also explore complementary pathways through Information Systems in Wisconsin and Cloud Computing in Wisconsin.

Industry & Workforce

Wisconsin offers a robust pathway into database administration with 13 institutions currently offering programs at various degree levels (IPEDS). The state's higher education ecosystem includes 6 bachelor's-granting institutions with 157 completions annually, 4 master's programs producing 39 graduates, and specialized associate's options through community colleges (IPEDS). This breadth of choices means students can find a program suited to their timeline and career goals, whether pursuing a quick credential or an advanced degree.

Salary Outlook

Wisconsin's major metropolitan areas—Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay—host thriving technology sectors anchored by employers like Advocate Aurora Health, UW Health, Epic Systems, Kohl's, and Northwestern Mutual. These organizations actively recruit database administrators and create strong internship and employment opportunities. Tuition at public four-year institutions averages $7,030 for in-state students, making Wisconsin an affordable choice compared to the national landscape (IPEDS). Top-ranked programs like the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, which produced 141 completions, and University of Wisconsin-Madison combine quality education with accessible costs. Explore Database Management in Wisconsin and Data Analytics in Wisconsin for complementary career paths in the state's data-driven economy.

Employment Outlook

Wisconsin's database administration job market is supported by a robust educational infrastructure, with 13 institutions offering Database Administration programs across multiple credential levels (IPEDS). The state's four-year public institutions charge an average in-state tuition of $7,030, making Wisconsin an affordable destination for aspiring database professionals. This accessibility has contributed to strong program completion rates, with 157 bachelor's degree completions in 2023 alone, indicating healthy demand for trained professionals in the field.

Salaries by Metro

The job market is concentrated in Wisconsin's major metropolitan areas, particularly the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis metro area, the Madison Area, and the Green Bay region. These urban centers house major employers actively seeking database administration talent, creating competitive opportunities for graduates. Labor market data from the BLS State Data for Wisconsin provides comprehensive salary and employment outlook information for database professionals in the state. Prospective students should explore how Wisconsin's leading programs, including those at the University of Wisconsin System, align with regional employment hotspots to maximize career prospects upon graduation.

Core Requirements

Database administration curricula in Wisconsin emphasize practical, hands-on training in modern database systems and management practices. Core courses typically include Database Design and Architecture, SQL Programming, Database Performance Tuning, Data Security and Compliance, Backup and Recovery Strategies, and Network Administration for Database Environments. Students learn industry-standard platforms such as Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and PostgreSQL, alongside emerging cloud-based database solutions. Bachelor's programs, such as those at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin-Platteville, integrate general education requirements with specialized technical coursework, often requiring 120–130 credit hours for completion. Many programs incorporate capstone projects where students design and deploy real-world database solutions for local organizations (IPEDS).

Degree Pathways

Master's-level programs at institutions like University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee delve deeper into advanced topics such as Big Data Management, NoSQL Databases, Database Replication and Clustering, and Enterprise Database Administration. These programs often feature research components, thesis requirements, or applied capstone projects that connect students with Wisconsin-based technology employers. Courses emphasize both technical mastery and business acumen, preparing graduates for leadership roles. Many programs incorporate real-world problem sets and case studies involving actual database environments from local healthcare systems, financial institutions, and manufacturing firms. Explore related fields through Database Management in Wisconsin and National Best Database Administration Programs to understand how Wisconsin curricula compare nationally.

Online Program Growth

Wisconsin offers robust online database administration options for students seeking flexible, remote-first education. Our best online programs ranking identifies leading institutions, including University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at $7,112 tuition with an 85.6% graduation rate, Milwaukee School of Engineering at $46,385, and Wisconsin Lutheran College at $34,520. These programs allow working professionals and non-traditional students to complete database administration coursework on their own schedules while maintaining employment. Online formats typically offer asynchronous lectures, virtual labs, and remote internship opportunities, though students should verify that hands-on database configuration and troubleshooting align with their learning preferences. The flexibility of online programs makes them particularly attractive for learners in rural Wisconsin areas or those unable to relocate to campus.

Accredited Online Options

Campus-based programs provide traditional advantages including in-person networking, hands-on lab access, and direct faculty mentorship. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wisconsin's largest database administration program with 141 completions in 2023, offers robust on-campus infrastructure and access to industry partnerships with employers like Advocate Aurora Health and Epic Systems. University of Wisconsin-Madison (ranked #1 for bachelor's programs at $9,644 tuition) combines comprehensive research facilities with strong connections to Wisconsin's technology sector. Many traditional programs now offer hybrid formats combining online coursework with periodic on-campus lab sessions and capstones. Students should consider their learning style, career timeline, and geographic location when choosing between online and campus formats. Our guides on cloud computing and data analytics programs also feature both online and campus options worth comparing.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is Wisconsin's largest metropolitan area and the state's premier destination for database administration professionals. The Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis metro area hosts multiple strong educational programs, including the highly-ranked University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, which leads the state with 141 program completions. This concentration of talent and opportunity, combined with a diverse employer base spanning healthcare, finance, and technology sectors, makes Milwaukee an excellent career hub. Madison, home to University of Wisconsin-Madison and Epic Systems, offers opportunities in healthcare technology and research computing, with the city's growing tech sector creating additional pathways for database professionals.

Green Bay

Green Bay and the Fox Valley region provide additional opportunities, with University of Wisconsin-Green Bay contributing 17 program completions to the local talent pipeline. For students prioritizing affordability, Wisconsin offers exceptional value across multiple cities. The most affordable four-year programs include University of Wisconsin-Parkside ($6,582 tuition), University of Wisconsin-Green Bay ($6,767 tuition), and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh ($6,806 tuition), all offering strong regional job markets near their respective campuses. Students should consider the Universal Credit Transfer Agreement (UCTA), which guarantees seamless credit transfer within the UW System, allowing flexibility to start in one city and complete studies in another. Explore related opportunities through Information Systems in Wisconsin and Data Analytics in Wisconsin programs.

Last Updated: February 15, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2023 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.