University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Chippewa Valley clinical partners, a Clinical Learning Center with immersive simulation, and Board-approved BSN through DNP pathways anchor the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire College of Nursing. This guide synthesizes the Nursing Department public pages, Blugold Central nursing tuition (2025–26), and the Wisconsin DSPS 2024 NCLEX pass rate report for program code US50508400. Confirm every figure with UWEC and DSPS before you budget or apply.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
UW–Eau Claire stacks rural–urban clinical variety (Marshfield Clinic, Mayo Clinic Health System, Essentia) alongside immersive simulation and interdisciplinary perks—Mayo-affiliated research projects and a dedicated Immersive Reality Room—that are unusual for a mid-sized public BSN program in northern Wisconsin.
Overview & Why Students Choose UW–Eau Claire Nursing
Tucked into the Chippewa Valley, the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire College of Nursing serves roughly 800 undergraduate and graduate nursing students, emphasizing collaboration across the sciences, humanities, and clinical partners statewide. Blugolds can take nursing coursework in Eau Claire or at the Marshfield instructional site while rotating through health systems that blend tertiary referral centers with rural community immersion.
The department pairs that geographic reach with modern simulation (hospital bays, medication rooms, immersive reality debriefs) and faculty-led research lanes that bleed into undergrad experiences—think joint nursing / biomedical engineering projects with Mayo clinicians. If you want a public university price point with brand-name clinical names on your resume, UWEC is built to deliver—but plan for selective admission and Wisconsin winter commuting.
According to the Wisconsin DSPS 2024 Annual NCLEX Pass Rate Report, the professional baccalaureate row US50508400 (listed as “UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – BS” in the public CSV-style table) recorded a 98.18% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate with 108 of 110 first-time candidates passing. Wisconsin publishes several UW System baccalaureate rows under similar labels; treat US50508400 as UW–Eau Claire’s pre-licensure BSN only after you match it to your own NCLEX registration paperwork or confirmation from nursing@uwec.edu (tester counts here align with UWEC’s typical BSN cohort size, but generic DSPS row text is not campus-specific on its own). UW–Eau Claire’s marketing pages also cite 99% NCLEX success attributed to Wisconsin Board of Nursing, 2023 data.
Reasons students choose UW–Eau Claire
Tier-one clinical brands + rural reach
Public materials name Marshfield Clinic, Mayo Clinic Health System, and Essentia Health as core affiliates, exposing students to integrated delivery networks across western Wisconsin.
Clinical Learning Center depth
Fully equipped nursing stations, Pyxis-style medication systems, and a new Immersive Reality Room support skills escalation before students touch patient units.
Completion-through-doctorate ladder
Portfolio spans traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN completion, hybrid MSN, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, and post-master’s certificates—useful for learners who want one institution for the full career arc.
Transparent Board outcomes
Because Wisconsin DSPS publishes annual NCLEX tables, you can benchmark UWEC against other in-state programs using the same regulatory source—just read cohort sizes, not marketing blurbs alone.
Student community ties
The Eau Claire Student Nurses Association anchors professional identity development and local service, complementing the university’s liberal-arts core.
Nursing Programs Offered
Program inventory below reflects the UW–Eau Claire Nursing Department pages and undergraduate nursing overview. When you document pathways internally, separate degree level (BSN, MSN, DNP), program type (pre-licensure vs. post-licensure vs. graduate), pathway (traditional, completion, post-master’s), and delivery mode (on-campus Eau Claire, Marshfield site, hybrid/online graduate)—do not collapse them into one vague list.
Pre-licensure
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Traditional)
Four-year, on-campus major with professional nursing coursework beginning after pre-nursing prerequisites. Students may complete the BSN in Eau Claire or at the Marshfield site per the public nursing program page.
Post-licensure
BSN Completion (RN-to-BSN)
Designed for licensed RNs seeking the baccalaureate; follows the dedicated BSN completion brochure and advising flow.
Graduate
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
The department advertises a hybrid MSN blending population-focused clinical preparation (adult-gerontology or family health) with role tracks in nursing education or nursing administration/leadership.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post-Baccalaureate)
BSN-entry DNP options span nurse practitioner tracks (e.g., adult-gerontology primary care, family nurse practitioner), clinical nurse specialist preparation, and nurse executive roles—confirm active tracks on the post-baccalaureate DNP page.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post-Master’s)
Post-master’s DNP emphasizes advanced clinical practice, nurse executive leadership, or education leadership strands with 31 credits and 450–525 clinical hours depending on emphasis (per UWEC graduate overview).
Nursing Education or Administration (Graduate Certificate)
Short graduate certificates let MSN-prepared nurses add formal preparation in education or administration without committing to a full additional degree—verify admissions with the graduate nursing office.
Nurse practitioner populations, credit totals, and delivery modes shift when regulators or CCNE require updates. Always pair this overview with the UWEC catalog and the graduate program PDFs before enrolling.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) 2024 Wisconsin Annual NCLEX Pass Rate Report, the educational program coded US50508400—a University of Wisconsin System baccalaureate nursing program whose tester volume matches UW–Eau Claire’s published cohort size—posted a 98.18% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (108 passed / 110 first-time testers) during calendar year 2024. DSPS labels several campuses generically as “UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – BS,” so confirm your Pearson VUE registration lists US50508400 before pinning that statistic to your résumé.
Separately, UW–Eau Claire’s undergraduate nursing page highlights a 99% NCLEX-RN pass rate tied to Wisconsin Board of Nursing, 2023 data—helpful context but a different reporting year than the DSPS 2024 table.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate | 98.18% (108 of 110 passed; calendar year 2024; DSPS) |
| Regulatory program code | US50508400 (confirm on NCLEX registration; DSPS row UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – BS) |
| School marketing snapshot | 99% NCLEX-RN pass rate attributed to Wisconsin Board of Nursing data, 2023 (per UWEC undergraduate nursing page) |
| Source | Wisconsin DSPS Nursing Schools · 2024 NCLEX Pass Rate PDF · UWEC Nursing Program. Confirm the latest year with DSPS and the College of Nursing. |
Board reports aggregate every first-time tester in a calendar year; they may not match semester-based marketing snapshots. Always pull the newest DSPS PDF before citing outcomes to employers or scholarship committees.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
International applicants must coordinate UW–Eau Claire admissions standards, visa limitations on clinical practicum hours, and Wisconsin’s online LicensE credentialing workflow. Treat the bullets below as a starting checklist only—this is general guidance, not legal advice.
- English proficiency: Nursing application materials cite minimum TOEFL/IELTS equivalents (e.g., TOEFL iBT >83 in the application packet). Confirm current benchmarks with the International Admissions office.
- Transcript evaluation: Graduate nursing applicants typically need official evaluations; follow directions from UWEC Graduate Studies and the Nursing Department.
- Wisconsin DSPS / Board of Nursing: Licensure by examination or endorsement requires Board-compliant transcripts, background screening, and NCLEX registration with the correct educational program code.
- Visa & clinical clearance: Clinical affiliates may require U.S. background checks, immunizations, and liability coverage. F-1 students should map CPT/OPT timelines against intensive junior- and senior-year rotations.
Policies change frequently. Verify with UW–Eau Claire’s Center for International Education and Wisconsin DSPS before booking travel or paying deposits.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
UW–Eau Claire nursing is limited enrollment: students complete pre-nursing coursework, attend a mandatory application meeting (typically March and October per the application page), and submit a department application with transcripts and supporting materials. Meeting published minimums still leaves you in a competitive pool—plan holistically (science strength, healthcare exposure, academic trend).
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall nursing major start | December 1 written application deadline (per UWEC nursing application page) | Application packets distributed at nursing meetings; contact Julie Bowe if you cannot attend an Eau Claire session. |
| Spring nursing major start | May 1 written application deadline | Confirm Marshfield-site meetings if applying away from main campus. |
| Graduate (MSN/DNP) | Varies by cohort | Use each graduate program’s brochure and the Apply portal for term-specific instructions. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing major) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum cumulative GPA | ≥ 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for nursing program application (per UWEC nursing application requirements page) |
| Science prerequisites | At least three natural science courses completed before application, two of which must be required nursing sciences; remedial courses do not count toward nursing admission. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed on the nursing application requirements page reviewed for this guide; confirm whether any pathway requires standardized testing. |
| Clinical documentation | CNA certification, CPR, and health records are expected before program entry (exact timing listed on the application page). |
Tips for competitive applicants
Document patient-contact hours—even as a CNA or volunteer—so your narrative matches UWEC’s community-health ethos. Marshfield applicants should highlight rural immersion and transportation plans because northern rotations can be geographically dispersed.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
UW–Eau Claire charges nursing majors on a dedicated tuition band published by Blugold Central. Figures below come from the Fall 2025 / Winterim 2026 / Spring 2026 Undergraduate Nursing Tuition & Fee Schedule; they cover tuition and segregated fees only—add housing, food, books, equipment, travel to clinicals, and personal expenses separately using the Cost of Attendance estimator.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Nursing band (12–18 credits / semester) | Wisconsin resident $5,621.07; Minnesota reciprocity $5,928.99; Non-resident $10,653.74; Return to Wisconsin discount $8,225.20; Midwest Student Exchange / MSEP $7,961.79 |
| Per-credit overload (each credit over 18) | WI resident $390.12; MN reciprocity $415.78; Non-resident $809.51; Return to Wisconsin $607.13; Midwest / MSEP $585.18 |
| General undergraduate comparison | Non-nursing undergraduates pay lower banded rates (e.g., WI resident $5,103.63 for 12–18 credits). Budget the nursing differential when comparing majors. |
| Source | 2025–2026 Undergraduate Nursing Tuition & Fees | UW–Eau Claire. Confirm annual updates every July with Blugold Central. |
Graduate MSN/DNP students should use the graduate tuition resources linked from each program page; those rates were not itemized in this snapshot.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
UW–Eau Claire’s marketing and career data highlight strong placement metrics, but each figure needs the school’s stated source and cohort year to stay YMYL-compliant.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate | 98.18% (108/110 first-time testers; Wisconsin DSPS 2024 report, program code US50508400). Marketing page also cites 99% tied to WI BON 2023—confirm the cohort you care about. |
| Average starting salary | $79,442 average starting salary for College of Nursing graduates (UW–Eau Claire First Destination Report 2024–2025, cited on program pages). |
| Employment / continuing education | UWEC reports 100% employed or continuing education among known 2024–2025 graduates from this major (Career Services first-destination methodology—confirm definitions with Career Services). |
| Top employers (example) | Mayo Clinic Health System and Marshfield Clinic Health System rank among top Blugold employers per Career Services survey data highlighted on nursing pages. |
| Source | UWEC Nursing Program · Wisconsin DSPS pass-rate PDF. Confirm current figures before relying on them for financial planning. |
Salary and placement percentages come from UW–Eau Claire’s First Destination Report and employer surveys. Always ask Career Services how “known outcomes” are defined (response rates, dual degrees, continuing education categories).
Is UW–Eau Claire Nursing the Right Fit for You?
Choose UWEC if you value public-university affordability (especially for Wisconsin residents), want a BSN engineered around western Wisconsin employers, and are excited by rural community health. Think twice if you need a warm-climate metro, an accelerated second-degree BSN in under 18 months, or fully online pre-licensure coursework—those lanes are not how this program is structured.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Prefer mid-sized campuses with NCAA Division III athletics, Honors opportunities, and tight-knit nursing cohorts.
- Want hybrid graduate education later without leaving a region they already call home.
- Plan to work for Mayo, Marshfield, Essentia, or rural critical-access hospitals across Wisconsin and the upper Midwest.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need guaranteed admission straight from high school (two-step pre-nursing → major is required).
- Cannot travel for dispersed clinical rotations or tolerate cold-weather driving.
- Require a big-city teaching hospital every semester; tertiary rotations exist but are balanced with community placements.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Eau Claire anchors western Wisconsin’s referral hub: Mayo Clinic Health System–Eau Claire provides high-acuity services, while Marshfield Clinic’s integrated network stretches into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Essentia Health adds Duluth–Superior corridor exposure. Rural counties surrounding the city rely heavily on BSN-prepared nurses for home health, primary care clinics, and EMS-adjacent outreach—so clinical placements intentionally mix tertiary and community sites.
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic Health System | Flagship tertiary partner for advanced specialty rotations; also cited as a top Blugold employer. |
| Marshfield Clinic Health System | Large multi-specialty group with the Marshfield instructional site option for Blugold nursing students. |
| Essentia Health | Duluth-area integrated system providing additional inpatient and ambulatory experiences. |
| Sacred Heart Hospital (Eau Claire) | Example community hospital named among alumni employers on UWEC program pages. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing students split time between academic buildings on lower campus and the Clinical Learning Center—a simulation suite with med rooms, birthing simulators, and an immersive debrief theater. Student orgs such as the Eau Claire Student Nurses Association run volunteer events and mentorship activities. Beyond nursing, UWEC’s music program, Division III athletics, and outdoor recreation (Chippewa River trails) give balance during intense clinical semesters—just protect your calendar because junior and senior nursing blocks behave like full-time jobs.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Eau Claire, WI
- College of Nursing office
- Nursing 103, 5 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701, US
- General campus
- 105 Garfield Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701, US
- Telephone
- (715) 836-5287 (College of Nursing)
- Contact email
- nursing@uwec.edu
- Website
- uwec.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the latest nursing application packet from the application requirements hub and calendar the March/October information meetings.
- Compare your transcripts against the natural-science prerequisite list; schedule any missing labs early because remediation policies are explicit.
- Email nursing@uwec.edu to confirm whether your intended term requires TEAS/HESI or other standardized testing.
- Run a net price estimate using UWEC’s calculators, then layer in mileage for clinical commutes—western Wisconsin rotations add fuel costs quickly.
- Open the DSPS pass-rate PDF and bookmark it so you can compare UWEC with other Wisconsin schools using the same methodology.
- If graduate study is the goal, request virtual advising for MSN versus BSN-to-DNP sequencing before you commit to electives as an undergrad.
- Set reminders for December 1 and May 1 nursing application deadlines so transcripts and CNA documentation arrive on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire a good school for nursing?
CCNE accreditation for BSN, MSN, and DNP programs (through December 31, 2031, per UWEC disclosures), strong Wisconsin DSPS NCLEX outcomes for program code US50508400 (98.18% first-time pass in 2024; 108/110 testers), and deep ties to Mayo, Marshfield, and Essentia give UWEC credible clinical muscle. Confirm the latest rates with DSPS and the College of Nursing.
What GPA do you need for UW–Eau Claire nursing?
The nursing application requirements page specifies a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA (4.00 scale) plus completion of at least three required natural science courses—two of which must count toward nursing science requirements—before the department reviews your packet. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission. Confirm science sequencing with a nursing advisor.
Does UW–Eau Claire nursing require the TEAS?
The nursing application requirements content reviewed here does not list ATI TEAS or HESI. Entrance policies can change or vary by site, so email nursing@uwec.edu each cycle to confirm.
What is the NCLEX pass rate for UW–Eau Claire nursing?
Wisconsin DSPS reports a 98.18% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for US50508400 in calendar year 2024 (108 of 110 testers). UW–Eau Claire’s own undergraduate page cites 99% tied to Wisconsin Board of Nursing, 2023 data. Align the reporting year you quote with employers or scholarships, and verify your personal NCLEX program code with the College of Nursing.
When are UW–Eau Claire nursing application deadlines?
Written nursing applications are due December 1 for fall admission and May 1 for spring admission per the application page, with informational meetings typically scheduled in March and October.
How much is UW–Eau Claire nursing tuition?
For Fall 2025–Spring 2026, Blugold Central lists the nursing band (12–18 credits) at $5,621.07 per semester for Wisconsin residents, $5,928.99 for Minnesota reciprocity, and $10,653.74 for non-residents, before room, board, or books. See the official nursing tuition schedule for overload per-credit rates.
Can UW–Eau Claire nursing students study in Marshfield?
Yes—the public nursing program page states students may pursue the BSN at the Eau Claire campus or the Marshfield instructional site. Marshfield applicants should ask about meeting logistics and any site-specific prerequisites.
Does UW–Eau Claire offer an accelerated BSN for career changers?
Public department pages emphasize the four-year traditional BSN and the RN-to-BSN completion option rather than a condensed second-degree ABSN. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, work with admissions to see whether transfer credits accelerate timelines—or whether another UW campus better matches an accelerated schedule.
Where do UW–Eau Claire nursing students complete clinical rotations?
The department names Marshfield Clinic, Mayo Clinic Health System, and Essentia Health as primary clinical partners, supplemented by community agencies, schools, and rural facilities. Specific placements rotate; confirm immunization and clearance policies before you enroll.
References
- University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire — College / Department of Nursinguwec.edu/academics/college-nursing
- UW–Eau Claire — Traditional BSN program overviewuwec.edu/academics/programs/undergraduate/nursing
- UW–Eau Claire — Nursing major application requirementsuwec.edu/nursing-major-application-requirements
- UW–Eau Claire — 2025–2026 Undergraduate Nursing Tuition & FeesBlugold Central nursing tuition
- Wisconsin DSPS — Nursing Schools & NCLEX resourcesdsps.wi.gov nursing schools
- Wisconsin DSPS — 2024 Annual NCLEX Pass Rate Report (PDF)2024YearlyPass Rate_WI.pdf
- Wisconsin DSPS — Approved In-state Nursing Schools (PDF)ApprovedInStateNursingSchools.pdf
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX data alignment with Wisconsin DSPS publications, nursing tuition figures from Blugold Central schedules, and program list consistency with official UW–Eau Claire nursing pages.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and Wisconsin DSPS / the Board of Nursing.
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy