
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is a public university established in 1965 as part of an expansion of higher education in northeastern Wisconsin. It opened to students in 1969 and later became part of the University of Wisconsin System, now known as the Universities of Wisconsin.
Its early academic identity emphasized interdisciplinary study and the relationship between people and their environment. That history remains visible in programs spanning environmental science, the humanities, business, health, and public service. The university has since expanded beyond its original Green Bay campus to serve students at other northeastern Wisconsin locations and online. Applicants considering a particular program should confirm where its required courses are offered.
UW-Green Bay organizes its academic programs across the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; the College of Health, Education and Social Welfare; the College of Science, Engineering and Technology; and the Austin E. Cofrin School of Business. It offers undergraduate and graduate study, with some programs designed for working adults and students completing degrees after prior college coursework.
Representative fields include psychology, communication, education, social work, biology, environmental science, engineering, nursing, accounting, and business administration. A prospective student should check the academic catalog for a program's credential, campus or online format, prerequisites, and any separate admission process. Admission to the university does not necessarily mean immediate admission to a selective professional program.
UW-Green Bay's main campus is in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on the city's northeast side near the shore of Green Bay. The setting combines academic buildings and student housing with substantial outdoor space; it is not a downtown campus.
The university serves the wider northeastern Wisconsin region, so students should distinguish the Green Bay campus from other university locations when comparing classes and services. Commuting arrangements matter: reported enrollment figures indicate that more students commute than live on campus. Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport is the area's principal commercial airport. Students relying on transit rather than a car should check current routes against their class and work schedules.
UW-Green Bay describes its mission in terms of providing accessible, high-quality education, advancing knowledge, and serving its region. Its stated educational approach also emphasizes connecting disciplines and applying learning to community needs. These are institutional priorities, not measures of an individual student's eventual experience.
As a public university, UW-Green Bay has no religious affiliation. Students evaluating its mission in practice can look at the curriculum and experiential requirements of their intended major: opportunities for research, internships, community projects, and interdisciplinary coursework vary by program.
Name of the institution
University of Wisconsin-Green BayLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PublicSetting type
City: MidsizeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
10,000 - 19,999School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1968University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Associate's degree
Certificate of at least 2 years, but less than 4 years
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.