Top Nursing Schools in Wisconsin for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Wisconsin

Wisconsin is most famous for its cheese and milk production. The state also has other factors that make it a favorable place to live — it was a pioneer in social legislation, enacting unemployment compensation benefits for its citizens in the 1930s, for example.

According to a Wisconsin Center for Nursing report, the state offers unique opportunities in the long-term care industry. Currently, 28.4% of its certified nursing assistant positions are vacant (compared to 9% in the overall healthcare industry). Choosing such an occupation could pave the way to becoming a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse.

Interested in starting your career in a place with a high job opening rate and good work conditions and salary, like Wisconsin? Read about its best nursing schools.

Wisconsin’s top nursing programs:

1. University of Wisconsin – Madison 
2. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire 
3. University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh 
4. University of Wisconsin – Green Bay 
5. Milwaukee School of Engineering 
6. Marquette University 
7. Viterbo University 
8. University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee 
9. Carroll University 
10. Alverno College

1. University of Wisconsin – Madison  — Score 67

NCLEX pass rate: 94.31%

In-state annual tuition: $10,722

Out-of-state annual tuition: $39,354

Approximately 93% of students who go through the University of Wisconsin – Madison’s BSN program pass the NCLEX on their first attempt. Its DNP program was designed to have small classes, facilitating personalized mentorship and authentic relationships among the students. The institution was ranked No. 1 among online RN to BSN programs in Wisconsin by RNtoMSN. 

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• DNP
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 87%

Programs offered:

• Traditional BSN
• Accelerated BSN
• RN to BSN
• DNP
• PhD

2. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire — Score 65

NCLEX pass rate: 99.1%

In-state annual tuition: $8,909

Out-of-state annual tuition: $17,621

The University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire’s BSN program had a 90.5% employment rate in 2019, with an average salary of $61,597. The institution is considered one of the best regional universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. It offers study abroad options, and a topical minor, which is composed of credits selected by the undergraduate to meet his or her own interests.

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP

Graduation rate: 65%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• DNP
• MSN

3. University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh — Score 59

NCLEX pass rate: 94.05%

In-state annual tuition: $7,754

Out-of-state annual tuition: $15,328

Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), the College of Nursing at UW Oshkosh has a 100% first-time pass rate in the Clinical Nurse Leader Certification, ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner Certification and AANP Family Nurse Practitioner Certification. Its DNP program had a 100% employment rate in 2020. The institution was ranked No. 3 among the best prelicensure BSN programs in Wisconsin by Nursing Schools Almanac in 2021.

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP

Graduation rate: 56%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• Accelerated BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• Graduate Certificate

4. University of Wisconsin – Green Bay  — Score 58

NCLEX pass rate: 94.44%

In-state annual tuition: $6,298

Out-of-state annual tuition: $14,516.16

The University of Wisconsin – Green Bay’s Certificate in Nursing Leadership & Management course may be a good option if you’re already a BSN-prepared nurse aiming to be a leader or manager in a healthcare institution. Its MSN program is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools – Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN

Graduation rate: 55%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• RN to BSN
• MSN
• Nursing Leadership and Management Certificate

5. Milwaukee School of Engineering  — Score 55

NCLEX pass rate: 97.5%

In-state annual tuition: $44,601

Out-of-state annual tuition: $44,601

The Milwaukee School of Engineering School of Nursing’s BSN program has a 95% employment rate. It’s ranked No. 8 among the best regional universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. The institution offers different facilities for its undergraduates, including a home care lab and a student area to promote collaborative learning. 

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 78%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• MSN
• DE-MSN

6. Marquette University — Score 54

NCLEX pass rate: 96%

In-state annual tuition: $45,860

Out-of-state annual tuition: $45,860

With CNM and DNP programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education and the COA, respectively, Marquette University has many strengths. It has a 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio; Army, Navy and Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs; and a 93% employment rate for BSN students in 2018.

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 81%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PhD

7. Viterbo University — Score 52

NCLEX pass rate: 93.29%

In-state annual tuition: $14,700

Out-of-state annual tuition: $14,700

Viterbo University’s BSN program has a 100% average job placement, with a 1:6-8 faculty/student ratio. It also offers study abroad and ROTC programs, as well as a program aimed at addressing the shortage of nurses working in rural areas.

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• DNP

Graduation rate: 61%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• DE-MSN
• MSN
• DNP
• Post Graduate Certificate

8. University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee  — Score 51

NCLEX pass rate: 88.28%

In-state annual tuition: $9,610

Out-of-state annual tuition: $21,474.60

The University of Wisconsin – Milwakuee offers an RN-to-MN program, which means nurses have the chance to start an MSN program while completing the RN-to-BSN program. The nursing school has a partnership with another top institution, Marquette University. Besides its research centers and global health projects, the university also has a Center for Nursing History dedicated to honoring nursing’s influence in healthcare.

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 49%

Programs offered:

• DNP
• MSN
• PhD
• DE – MSN
• DNP/MBA in Nursing
• RN to MN
• RN to BSN
• BSN

9. Carroll University — Score 41

NCLEX pass rate: 96.3%

In-state annual tuition: $35,360

Out-of-state annual tuition: $35,360

Carroll University’s ADN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation. The school offers study abroad options, and was ranked in the top five among institutions that have a master’s programs with international opportunities by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN

Graduation rate: 59%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• ADN
• MSN

10. Alverno College — Score 39

NCLEX pass rate: 87.01%

In-state annual tuition: $45,180

Out-of-state annual tuition: $45,180

Alverno College’s MSN program is rated one of the best by U.S. News & World Report. The university has a partnership with Ascension Wisconsin, one of the state’s biggest health systems, with a hospital network of 24 facilities and 100+ clinics statewide.

Online classes: yes

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 53%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• RN to BSN
• MSN
• DE-MSN
• MBA
• DNP

How to choose the right nursing program

Choosing the ideal nursing program demands an analysis of important factors, such as location, tuition and school ratings. Read on for more.

Location

Location is one of the first aspects to consider because, for most schools, the tuition varies if you’re from the state or not. The difference at University of Wisconsin – Madison is $28,632, for example.

Tuition

With so many top nursing schools to choose from, you can be sure of the best financial conditions. Contact an academic advisor and ask about loans, scholarships and federal initiatives, such as work-study jobs and the FAFSA.

NCLEX pass rate

All nursing students, no matter how good their grades are, can only start working if they pass the NCLEX exam. So take a closer look at schools with a rate above 90%.

Programs offered

In addition to finding the type of nursing program that meets your goals and market needs, it is also important to understand its methodology. A concept-based or evidence-based program can be entirely online or in person, and the outcomes differ according to the institution. 

Graduation rate

Graduation rates are influenced by many variables, but choosing a school with a rate of at least 90% may be beneficial, as it indicates a high level of student assistance.

Next steps

After picking a few institutions to apply to, based on important characteristics such as location and school ratings, you’ll also need to consider how to pay for them and the employment prospects in the state.

And, start to think about graduation by reading our guide on nursing licensure and certification in Wisconsin. After all, you have to be prepared when the first employer contacts you.

Also, after graduating, no matter what state you choose to live in, you’ll need to earn CEU credits. Access our free Wisconsin CEU courses to ensure you meet the education requirements in the Badger State.

If you’re feeling daunted by all these post-graduation steps, ask advice from nurses working in Wisconsin and listen to those who are already part of the healthcare industry.

Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

We used data from: 

• University of Wisconsin–Madison 
• University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire 
• University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh 
• University of Wisconsin–Green Bay 
• Milwaukee School of Engineering 
• Marquette University 
• Viterbo University 
• University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee 
• Carroll University 
• Alverno College
• Wisconsin Board of Nursing
• U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings