Best Associate's UX Design Degree Programs in Wisconsin
Madison Area Technical College — Madison, WI
Hakia Insight: MATC Madison's direct pipeline to Epic Systems and American Family Insurance means students often move from classroom projects to real enterprise UX challenges before graduation, collapsing the typical 1-2 year 'junior designer' gap most grads face.
At the associate's level, you'll work directly with Madison's thriving tech startup scene through MATC's industry partnerships, meaning real-world projects and networking that often lead to internships before graduation. The program emphasizes user research and prototyping across web and mobile platforms, with faculty who actively consult for local companies. Students graduate with a portfolio of client work—not just assignments—which gives you a concrete edge when applying to positions in the Dane County tech corridor. Transfer agreements with UW–Madison and transfer credit reciprocity make it easy to continue if you want a bachelor's degree.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: American Family Insurance, Epic Systems, State Street, Local Madison startups and agencies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison
- University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior UX Designer
- UX Research Associate
- Interaction Designer
- Digital Product Specialist
Included Certifications
- Adobe Certified Associate (UX Design)
- Google UX Design Certificate (pathway courses)
Location Advantages:
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College — Green Bay, WI
Hakia Insight: NWTC teaches UX design not as an abstract web skill but as a direct tool for healthcare and manufacturing digital transformation—a positioning that makes Northeast Wisconsin graduates immediately valuable in industries where most design schools produce candidates over-trained for consumer apps.
At the associate's level, NWTC's program reflects the needs of Green Bay and northeast Wisconsin's manufacturing, healthcare, and digital services sectors—meaning you learn UX in contexts where it directly impacts user safety and business outcomes. Smaller cohorts mean personalized feedback from instructors who know your work style and career goals. The program includes mobile and responsive design with hands-on testing on real devices, preparing you for modern product work. Strong regional employer relationships make job placement reliable.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Regional healthcare systems, Manufacturing firms, Green Bay tech companies, Digital marketing agencies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Wisconsin–Green Bay
- University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh
Entry-Level Career Paths
- UX Designer
- Web Designer
- UI Designer
- Digital Design Specialist
- Interactive Media Designer
Included Certifications
- Adobe Certified Associate (Web Design)
Location Advantages:
Milwaukee Area Technical College — Milwaukee, WI
Hakia Insight: Milwaukee's Fortune 500 presence (Northwestern Mutual, Johnson Controls) means MATC Milwaukee graduates enter a labor market where internal UX teams actively hire 2-year degree holders into mid-market roles, unlike coastal cities where the same credential often lands entry-level only positions.
At the associate's level, MATC Milwaukee puts you in the state's largest design job market with direct connections to Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the metro area. The program includes a required internship component where you work on actual client deliverables for marketing firms, tech companies, and in-house design teams. You'll learn across the full stack—research, wireframing, visual design, and user testing—with facilities that mirror what you'll find in professional studios. Many graduates land permanent roles at their internship employers.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Koss Corporation, Johnson Controls, Badger Meter, Northwestern Mutual, Milwaukee design agencies, Regional healthcare tech companies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
- Marquette University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior UX Designer
- UI Designer
- UX Research Specialist
- Digital Design Technician
- Interaction Designer
Included Certifications
- Adobe Certified Associate (UX Design or Web Design)
- Google UX Design Certificate (pathway)
Location Advantages:
Lakeshore Technical College — Cleveland, WI
Hakia Insight: Lakeshore's location in Sheboygan—a manufacturing hub where digital transformation is accelerating—positions graduates as rare UX talent in a region where design skills command premium salaries relative to coastal markets due to scarcity.
At the associate's level, lakeshore's location in Sheboygan connects you to a robust manufacturing and business services economy where UX and digital transformation are reshaping operations. The program emphasizes practical problem-solving with real case studies from regional employers, meaning your final projects often influence actual product decisions. You'll develop skills in user research, prototyping, and design systems—all in demand across Wisconsin's industries. Small class sizes and faculty accessibility create mentorship relationships that extend into your career.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Regional manufacturing companies, Sheboygan-area tech firms, Healthcare organizations, Business services providers, Design and marketing agencies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh
- University of Wisconsin–Green Bay
Entry-Level Career Paths
- UX/UI Designer
- Web Designer
- Digital Product Designer
- Design Technician
- User Research Associate
Included Certifications
- Adobe Certified Associate (Web Design)
Location Advantages:
Blackhawk Technical College — Janesville, WI
Hakia Insight: Blackhawk's Janesville base gives students competitive advantage in manufacturing-adjacent UX roles, where understanding product design, industrial workflows, and mechanical constraints creates portfolio differentiation that coastal UX programs rarely develop.
At the associate's level, blackhawk's presence in Janesville and Monroe connects you to a manufacturing heartland where digital design increasingly drives product innovation and customer experience. The program emphasizes transferable problem-solving skills—research, prototyping, testing, iteration—so you can apply UX thinking across industries and roles. You'll work on projects relevant to regional employers, building relationships that lead to internships and jobs. Strong transfer pathways to UW–Whitewater and other state schools keep your options open.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Janesville/Monroe area manufacturers, Regional tech firms, Healthcare organizations, Design and marketing agencies, Business services companies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
- University of Wisconsin–Madison
Entry-Level Career Paths
- UX Designer
- Web Designer
- Junior Product Designer
- Digital Design Technician
- Interface Designer
Included Certifications
- Adobe Certified Associate (Web Design)
Location Advantages:
Gateway Technical College — Kenosha, WI
Hakia Insight: Gateway's access to Oshkosh Corporation—a major industrial and defense contractor investing heavily in human factors—creates internship and placement opportunities in specialized UX domains (vehicle interfaces, enterprise software, equipment dashboards) that generalist programs don't expose students to.
At the associate's level, gateway's location in the Kenosha-Racine corridor gives you access to manufacturing and industrial design firms alongside tech companies, meaning UX skills in this region extend to hardware interfaces and IoT design—a unique niche. The program emphasizes user-centered problem-solving with courses in research methodology and accessibility standards that employers specifically seek. You'll graduate knowing how to conduct usability testing and translate findings into design decisions, which sets associates-level graduates apart. Strong connections with local manufacturers and tech firms create clear pathways to employment.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Oshkosh Corporation, Regional tech firms, Manufacturing companies with digital initiatives, Local marketing and design agencies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Wisconsin–Parkside
- University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Entry-Level Career Paths
- UX Designer
- Web Designer
- Digital Product Designer
- Usability Analyst
- Interface Design Technician
Included Certifications
- Adobe Certified Associate (Web Design)
- Interaction Design Foundation Certificate (pathway)
Location Advantages:
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College — Fennimore, WI
Hakia Insight: Southwest Wisconsin Tech's emphasis on hands-on tools over theory appeals to self-directed learners, but the real advantage is serving regional small-to-mid-size agencies where graduates often become the first UX hire—giving them design leadership experience years earlier than peers at corporate-track programs.
At the associate's level, you'll get hands-on experience with industry-standard design tools like Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and prototyping software—not just theory. Southwest Wisconsin Tech emphasizes practical portfolio development from day one, meaning you'll leave with real work samples that employers actually want to see. The program balances user research fundamentals with visual design and interaction design, preparing you for roles at small to mid-sized digital agencies or in-house design teams throughout Wisconsin. Many graduates land positions in southwest Wisconsin's growing tech and e-commerce sector, or transfer to four-year programs at UW schools with a strong technical foundation already in place.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Local small-to-mid-size digital agencies in southwest Wisconsin, E-commerce and retail companies in Wisconsin, In-house design teams at regional businesses, Marketing and creative firms.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison
- University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
- University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
- University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
Entry-Level Career Paths
- UX Designer
- UI Designer
- Junior Interaction Designer
- Web Designer
- Digital Design Specialist
- Graphic Designer (digital focus)
Location Advantages:
Western Technical College — La Crosse, WI
Hakia Insight: Western Technical's La Crosse position puts it in a gap market: far enough from Milwaukee and Madison to serve as the default UX pipeline for regional tech companies and healthcare systems, meaning job placement is less competitive than at metro-area technical colleges.
At the associate's level, if you're in southwest Wisconsin, Western Technical offers a program rooted in applied design thinking with strong connections to small-to-medium sized tech companies in the La Crosse area. You'll work on cross-functional projects with students from business and IT programs, learning how designers collaborate in real organizational settings. The faculty maintain active freelance practices, so you benefit from current methodologies and industry standards. Affordable, community-focused education with genuine local employer networks.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: La Crosse area tech companies, Regional healthcare organizations, Design agencies, Software development firms.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
- University of Wisconsin–Platteville
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior Web Designer
- UX/UI Designer
- Digital Design Associate
- Web Development Designer
Included Certifications
- Adobe Certified Associate (Web Design or UX Design)
Location Advantages:
Moraine Park Technical College — Fond du Lac, WI
Hakia Insight: Moraine Park's dual-campus structure (Fond du Lac and Oshkosh) lets students access both a manufacturing economy and tech startup ecosystem from the same program—an unusual geographic diversity that teaches UX in radically different contexts without requiring a transfer.
At the associate's level, moraine Park's Fond du Lac and Oshkosh campuses give you flexibility and access to central Wisconsin's diverse employer base, from healthcare systems to tech startups. The program balances design fundamentals with practical tools training, ensuring you graduate job-ready without sacrificing conceptual thinking. Instructors bring real-world experience from agencies and in-house design teams, translating directly into what you'll do on the job. Partnership with four-year institutions makes transfer smooth if you decide to continue.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Central Wisconsin healthcare systems, Tech companies, Marketing and design agencies, Business services firms, Regional manufacturers.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh
- University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
Entry-Level Career Paths
- UX Designer
- Web Designer
- Junior Interaction Designer
- Digital Design Specialist
- UI Designer
Included Certifications
- Adobe Certified Associate (Web Design or UX Design)
Location Advantages:
Maranatha Baptist University — Watertown, WI
Key Distinction: Maranatha Baptist University offers comprehensive UX Design programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Without detailed program data available, Maranatha Baptist's regional positioning in Watertown offers a lower-cost pathway into UX design for students seeking faith-integrated education—verify current curriculum specifics directly with admissions.
Maranatha Baptist University offers UX Design programs in Watertown, WI. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Best Bachelor's UX Design Degree Programs in Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater — Whitewater, WI
Key Distinction: UW-Whitewater uniquely combines human-centered design methodology with business strategy education, training designers who can justify and defend their work across organizational contexts.
Hakia Insight: UW-Whitewater's dual BA/BS track lets students customize their focus: the BA leans toward design-led careers while the BS emphasizes technical depth, and both benefit from direct access to Milwaukee's healthcare and financial services sectors actively hiring UX designers.
At the bachelor's level, UW-Whitewater's UX design education is embedded within a strong computer science and design curriculum that emphasizes hands-on problem-solving from day one. The program takes a human-centered design approach, requiring students to conduct user research, prototype iteratively, and validate designs through real-world testing rather than theory alone. What distinguishes this program is its integration of business acumen alongside design skills—students learn to articulate design decisions in terms of user value and business impact, preparing them for cross-functional team environments where designers must justify their work to stakeholders. The curriculum balances visual design, interaction design, and information architecture through project-based courses where students tackle actual problems for local businesses and nonprofits. Faculty bring both academic rigor and industry experience, with many having worked at regional tech companies or maintained consulting practices. The location in southeastern Wisconsin, while not a major tech hub, is actually an advantage: students work with real regional companies hungry for UX expertise, gaining portfolio pieces and references in a less competitive talent market than coastal cities. Graduates frequently move into UX roles at Chicago and Milwaukee-based tech companies, financial services firms, and healthcare organizations that value the practical, business-minded design approach cultivated here.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Proximity to Milwaukee's growing tech scene and healthcare/financial services sectorAccess to regional businesses as design clients and internship partnersLower competition for design talent compared to coastal tech hubs
University of Wisconsin-Stout — Menomonie, WI
Hakia Insight: Stout's BFA in Graphic Design & Interactive Media inherits print design rigor often absent from pure digital programs—students graduate with both pixel-perfect interaction work and print fundamentals, a rare combination that broadens portfolio appeal.
At the bachelor's level, UW-Stout offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design & Interactive Media with a progressive curriculum covering both print and digital media including UX design. Students benefit from faculty who are practicing designers and enjoy high employment rates with outstanding alumni support.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee — Milwaukee, WI
Key Distinction: UWM integrates UX design principles across interdisciplinary programs, combining visual communication design with computer science fundamentals in Milwaukee's largest tech job market.
Hakia Insight: UWM's integration of UX principles across the Connected Systems Institute and aDream Lab means undergraduates can contribute to active research in health informatics and AI, not just observe it—a research footprint most regional programs lack.
At the bachelor's level, the Master of Science in Information Science and Technology program addresses two critical areas of modern information technology: data science and information security, with a fully online format designed to accommodate working professionals and distance learners.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- aDream Lab
- Connected Systems Institute
- Luo Research Lab
- Center for Health System Solutions
Industry Partners
- Northwestern Mutual (employer)
- Johnson Controls (employer)
- Rockwell Automation (employer)
- Amazon (employer)
- Milwaukee Tool (employer)
- AIGA Wisconsin (partner)
- United Adworkers (partner)
- Baird (employer)
- Blue Yonder (employer)
- Direct Supply (employer)
- FIS (employer)
- GE Healthcare (employer)
- Kohl's (employer)
- Milwaukee Art Museum (partner)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Jake Luo — Health informatics, machine learning, AI, and natural language processing
- Dr. Susan McRoy — Computer Science
- Dr. Robert Grame — Design & Visual Communication
- Dr. Lisa Moline — Design & Visual Communication
- Dr. Adam Hawk — Digital Fabrication & Design
Accreditations and Certifications
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design
Location Advantages: Located in Wisconsin's largest and fastest-growing job marketAccess to Milwaukee's tech-driven opportunitiesProximity to major employers like Northwestern Mutual and Johnson Controls
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay — Green Bay, WI
Hakia Insight: Limited data available; prospective students should request current curriculum details and employment outcomes directly from UW-Green Bay's program coordinator.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
University of Wisconsin-Parkside — Kenosha, WI
Hakia Insight: Parkside's Web Design Professional course stack (Vue.js, Bootstrap, project management) signals a job-ready, frontend-first approach—valuable for students targeting rapid entry into digital agencies, though verify how this embeds within the broader UX degree.
At the bachelor's level, the provided content focuses on a Web Design Professional course from UW-Parkside that covers HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Bootstrap, Vue.js, Adobe tools, and project management skills, but does not contain specific information about a UX Design program.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point — Stevens Point, WI
Key Distinction: Stevens Point's UX program prioritizes research-driven design methodology and user testing as foundational skills rather than advanced specializations.
Hakia Insight: Stevens Point's front-loaded emphasis on user research and testing—positioned as foundational, not capstone work—means students build validation habits early, a methodology advantage when competing for internships at companies that prize evidence-based design thinking.
At the bachelor's level, stevens Point's approach to UX design emphasizes the intersection of human-centered problem-solving with digital product development, grounded in a curriculum that balances visual design fundamentals with usability research methodology. The program integrates interaction design, information architecture, and user research as core competencies rather than electives, giving students hands-on experience with design tools, prototyping frameworks, and user testing protocols from the first year. Faculty bring industry experience from tech companies and design agencies, often embedding real-world client projects into coursework—meaning students aren't just learning UX theory but applying it to actual products and services. The program benefits from Stevens Point's connections to Wisconsin's growing tech corridor, with internship pipelines to companies in Madison and Milwaukee. Graduates typically specialize in either product design or UX research paths, and many transition directly into roles at mid-market tech firms, startups, and design consultancies across the Midwest and beyond. What distinguishes the experience is the emphasis on research-driven design: students conduct ethnographic studies, usability tests, and accessibility audits as part of their core curriculum, preparing them to advocate for user needs in professional settings. The program also maintains strong ties to the interactive media and digital communication fields at Stevens Point, allowing cross-disciplinary collaboration that's increasingly valuable in today's product teams.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Proximity to Madison and Milwaukee tech hubsAccess to Wisconsin's growing digital product companies
Concordia University-Wisconsin — Mequon, WI
Key Distinction: CUW integrates Christian values and Lutheran ethics into technology education, emphasizing human-centered, ethically-driven approaches to AI and computer science rather than pure technical training.
Hakia Insight: Concordia's AI & Quantum Innovation Lab and explicit ethical framework (Lutheran values integrated into curriculum) attract students who want to design responsibly; Dr. Litman's VR specialization opens emerging-tech pathways most regional competitors don't offer.
Concordia University Wisconsin does not offer a dedicated UX design program based on the available content. The closest related offerings are in Applied Computer Science and Applied Artificial Intelligence. The Applied Computer Science bachelor's program is a 100% online, 120-credit degree focusing on hands-on software development, web and mobile applications, and data handling. The program operates on an 8-week course schedule with start dates every eight weeks at $500 per credit. Students gain access to the AI & Quantum Innovation Lab, described as 'a dedicated space where faith and technology come together to make a difference in the world.' The Applied AI program is an interdisciplinary 120-credit bachelor's degree that prepares future AI consultants, strategists, and policymakers with both technical literacy and a strong moral compass through a Lutheran-Christian perspective. Key faculty include Dr. Michael Litman (Director of MS Computer Science Program), Dr. Gary Locklair (Professor with expertise in computer science and cosmogony), Dr. Oliver Joshua Locklair (Associate Professor specializing in human-computer interaction, machine learning, and AI ethics), and Dr. Robert Steven Wahl (Professor with background in computer animation, information security, databases, and artificial intelligence). The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and emphasizes ethical technology practices shaped by Christian values.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- AI & Quantum Innovation Lab
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Michael Litman — Programming Education, Emerging Technologies, VR
- Dr. Gary H. Locklair — Information Theory, AI (Robotics, Vision, Neural Networks), Computer Science Theory
- Dr. Oliver Joshua Locklair — Human-computer interaction, machine learning, ethics of Artificial Intelligence
- Dr. Robert Steven Wahl — Computer animation, information security, databases, artificial intelligence
Location Advantages:
Saint Norbert College — De Pere, WI
Key Distinction: Saint Norbert College offers comprehensive UX Design programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Without granular program detail provided, Saint Norbert's private positioning suggests smaller cohorts and faculty access—confirm enrollment size and alumni placement rates before committing.
Saint Norbert College offers UX Design programs in De Pere, WI. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
