Best Nursing Schools in Wisconsin: Online & Campus
Want to become a registered nurse or APRN in Wisconsin? Check out our list of the best nursing schools in Wisconsin and join the ranks of this rewarding, high-demand field.
Registered nurses are in demand across the U.S., and Wisconsin is no exception. Wisconsin nursing schools have risen to the challenge by offering a plethora of programs to help you start or advance your nursing career. This guide highlights the best in-person and online nursing programs in Wisconsin and profiles the state’s top-ranked schools to help you find the one that’s right for you. You’ll also learn about where you can get financial aid, how to get your nursing license, and what you can expect to earn after graduation. Read on to discover your degree pathway to becoming a nurse in Wisconsin.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Public
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Public
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Public
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Public
Viterbo University
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Private
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Public
Lakeland University
Plymouth, Wisconsin
Private
Edgewood College
Madison, Wisconsin
Private
Marian University
Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin
Private
Northwood Technical College
Shell Lake, Wisconsin
Public
Lakeshore Technical College
Cleveland, Wisconsin
Public
Types of Nursing Programs Available in Wisconsin
There are numerous pathways to becoming a nurse, from earning an associate degree and becoming an RN to earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice or PhD in nursing to adding specializations through post-graduate certificates. Below are the common paths available through nursing programs in Wisconsin.
Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in Wisconsin
ADN Programs
ADNs are designed for those with little or no college experience and who want to enter nursing as quickly as possible. The ADN takes about two years, is available at community colleges, and allows students to become RNs after graduation. It also allows for a smooth transition to a BSN later.
Examples of Wisconsin Nursing Schools with this Program
Traditional BSN Programs
Traditional BSNs take about four years and result in eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN. BSN programs are for those who want to earn a bachelor’s degree, gain access to better nursing jobs, and be ready to earn an MSN at some point.
Examples of Wisconsin Nursing Schools with this Program
Accelerated BSN Programs
Those with bachelor’s degrees in something other than nursing can turn to the accelerated BSN program to gain the necessary knowledge and clinical skills to take the NCLEX-RN. Accelerated BSN programs focus on core nursing courses and can be completed in 15 to 24 months of full-time study.
Examples of Wisconsin Nursing Schools with this Program
Nursing Bridge Programs in Wisconsin for Current Nurses
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN Programs
LPNs who want to become RNs have two pathway options. LPN to RN programs, offered mostly by community colleges, take three to four semesters and result in an associate degree. LPN to BSN programs result in bachelor’s degrees after four years of study and are offered by colleges and universities.
Examples of Wisconsin Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to BSN Programs
Those who earned their RN through the associate degree path can earn their bachelor’s degrees through an RN to BSN program. Most four-year nursing schools offer this program, often entirely online. Since skills honed as an RN often replace the clinical aspect of a BSN program, students must simply complete additional nursing coursework.
Examples of Wisconsin Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to MSN Programs
Current RNs with ADNs or BSNs can earn master’s degrees through an RN to MSN program. Most MSNs offer multiple specializations and take 18 months to three years to complete. Coursework is mostly online with clinical requirements met by working as an RN. Those with ADNs can often earn BSNs at the same time as MSNs with four years of study.
Examples of Wisconsin Nursing Schools with this Program
Advanced Nursing Programs in Wisconsin
MSN Programs
Those with BSNs can hone their skills in advanced leadership, administration, advanced practice, and more through an MSN program. These programs take about two years and are often offered entirely online. Some advanced practice specialties may require in-person clinicals, which can often be completed at your current place of employment.
Examples of Wisconsin Nursing Schools with This Program
DNP and PhD Doctoral Programs
Those who want to take their career to the highest level can earn a DNP or a PhD. The DNP degree is for nurses who want to move into advanced nursing practice or administrative positions while the PhD focuses on research and development that advances nursing practice. These programs offer a variety of specializations and take three to seven years.
Examples of Wisconsin Nursing Schools with This Program
Post-Graduate Certificates
Post-graduate certificates offer targeted specializations like nursing education, public health nursing, nurse practitioner (and several fields under that umbrella), and more. These certificates take just a few classes to a few semesters to complete.
Examples of Wisconsin Nursing Schools with This Program
Financial Aid Opportunities for Nursing Students in Wisconsin
Students enrolled in one of the many accredited nursing programs in Wisconsin are eligible for various forms of financial aid. Some, such as grants that help lower the cost of tuition, come from federal and state governments. Scholarships are also available through a variety of organizations and businesses and sometimes through a school itself. The University of Wisconsin-Madison, for example, awards over $400,000 nursing scholarships annually. Student loans are also popular ways to pay for higher education with the best route being through the Federal Government.
To learn more about what’s available, check out our list of nursing scholarships, guide to graduating from nursing school debt-free, and financial aid guide.
How to Become an RN in Wisconsin: Licensing Information and Requirements
The NCLEX-RN serves as the gateway to earning a license to work as a registered nurse in Wisconsin and all other states. The specific process for Wisconsin is set forth by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing. We’ve outlined the steps for RN licensure in Wisconsin below.
Enroll in an approved RN program
Students who want to become RNs in Wisconsin must graduate from a program approved by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing. This generally includes any Wisconsin-based ADN or BSN program accredited by the ACEN or CCNE.
Sign up for the NCLEX-RN
Before you can receive your RN license from the Wisconsin Board of Nursing, you must take and pass the NCLEX-RN. Most nursing students register for the test during the final few months of their nursing degree program. To register, create an account with Pearson VUE and pay a testing fee of $200.
Complete and submit paperwork to the Wisconsin Board of Nursing
The application includes numerous forms to complete and submit. It also includes official transcripts sent directly from your nursing school.
Pass the NCLEX-RN
The NCLEX-RN is an adaptive computer test with the difficulty of questions changing as you get questions correct or incorrect. The four main topics covered are a safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity. Most of the exam is multiple choice.
Pass the background check
Before the Wisconsin Board of Nursing issues your RN license, you must pass a criminal background check. This requires the submission of fingerprints.
Salary and Job Outlook for RNs in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, Registered Nurses (RNs) can expect a solid employment outlook, with a projected 5.3% growth rate, adding about 3,310 new jobs by 2030. This rate is slightly lower than the national average but still indicates a steady demand for RNs in the state. In terms of earnings, the median annual salary for RNs in Wisconsin is $83,300, with those in the 10th percentile earning around $69,240 and those in the 90th percentile making up to $105,110. Cities like Madison offer the highest earnings, with the median salary reaching $86,500, while other regions like Green Bay and Milwaukee offer competitive wages as well. The state provides opportunities across various urban and rural areas, with annual openings averaging 3,770 positions. These figures suggest that Wisconsin is a stable and rewarding state for RNs, with decent wages and consistent job growth.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $69,240 | $83,300 | $105,110 |
| Appleton, WI | $66,050 | $80,500 | $101,280 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $67,400 | $80,090 | $99,290 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $68,090 | $78,030 | $95,750 |
| Green Bay, WI | $67,460 | $80,290 | $99,420 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $67,460 | $81,340 | $102,360 |
| Madison, WI | $77,630 | $86,500 | $105,840 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | $69,200 | $82,780 | $106,900 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $64,960 | $79,700 | $102,090 |
| Racine, WI | $66,280 | $79,320 | $98,780 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $65,300 | $79,310 | $98,620 |
| Wausau, WI | $68,050 | $78,380 | $95,610 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| Wisconsin | 62,260 | 65,570 | 3,310 | 5.30% | 3,770 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
