Wisconsin · 4 NurseOnShift Nursing Guides

Nursing Schools in Wisconsin:
ADN, BSN & RN-to-BSN Programs
— 2026 Guide

Wisconsin offers accessible community-college ADN and LPN pathways alongside university BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD options. This page lists all 4 Wisconsin nursing schools currently profiled in NurseOnShift’s directory (names, cities, and program mix come from each school’s published guide and structured data). Use the finder to filter by pathway, sector, or city; open any card for admissions, costs, and NCLEX discussion with sourced links to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Nursing where applicable. The Board also approves additional program sites statewide beyond this catalog.

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire University of Wisconsin-Madison Marquette University University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
✍️ Written by Sid A. Abdala Balal 🩺 Reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN 📅 Updated July 13, 2026 ⏱️ 10 min read
🔍 Find a School 📊 Compare All Schools ✅ NCLEX Practice

Wisconsin Nursing Education at a Glance

Key data points for prospective nursing students in Wisconsin

4
Nursing school guides in this directory
0
Schools with ADN or ASN pathways
3+
Schools with BSN or higher
$5k–$9k
Typical ADN cost range
$18k–$45k
Typical BSN tuition range
WI DSPS
NCLEX data: see each guide & Board reports

📋 On This Page

🎯 Start here
🔍 Tools
📚 Learn more

🎓 Wisconsin Nursing Pathways

ADN (2 yrs) → NCLEX-RN → RN-to-BSN Bridge → MSN / DNP → Advanced Practice / Leadership
Start here

👉 Quick picks by goal (not a ranking)

Use these entry points to organize your research. Each shortcut jumps to tools or lists on this page—you still need to compare NCLEX outcomes (by program and year) on the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Nursing, net price with each school, and your commute or relocation plans.

👉 Best for affordability

Federal scorecard and community-college tuition are usually the lowest sticker cost path to RN licensure. Focus on public community colleges with ADN/LPN ladders, then validate aid and total program cost on each college site.

Sources: WI DSPS approved programs; each college’s tuition & fees page.

👉 Best for traditional BSN

Four-year universities confer the BSN for first-time nursing students and offer broader clinical and research networks. Compare programs in the BSN list below, then confirm admission tests, deadlines, and NCLEX trends for the specific track.

Sources: WI DSPS nursing education programs; school nursing websites.

👉 Best for online RN-to-BSN

Working RNs often need flexible completion programs. Filter this directory for RN-to-BSN, then verify on each school site whether the current option is fully online, hybrid, or campus-based—and whether employer tuition benefits apply.

See also our Wisconsin RN-to-BSN hub. Sources: school catalogs; WI DSPS program approval.

Research starting points

⭐ Featured Nursing Schools in Wisconsin (2026)

Editorial spotlight: programs that combine broad visibility with multiple degree levels or large community-college scale. This is not a ranked “#1 school” list and omits many excellent smaller programs.

How we chose these spotlights (not a ranking)

Featured examples from our 4 NurseOnShift Wisconsin school guides—selected for catalog breadth (multiple degree levels or a large community-college ADN/LPN footprint), not as a ranked “best schools” list. Cross-check every program against Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Nursing approved-program and NCLEX publications before you apply.

Primary sources for verification: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Nursing; WI DSPS nursing education programs; WI DSPS NCLEX pass-rate data (where published); individual school nursing pages linked from each NurseOnShift guide. Data last reviewed 2026-07-13.

🔍 School Finder & Compare

Search by name or city, filter by program and school type, or compare two schools side by side.

Showing Wisconsin nursing school guides in this directory

Data

📊 Wisconsin Nursing Schools at a Glance

All 4 Wisconsin institutions in our catalog with published NurseOnShift guides. Program tags match each guide’s documented offerings (ADN includes ASN where schools use that label). For NCLEX percentages and cohort years, open the school guide and the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Nursing reports—this hub does not duplicate board tables.

School Programs NCLEX Est. Tuition Type City
Marquette University College of NursingBSN, MSN, DNP100% BSN line; 93.86% MSN line (WI DSPS 2024) (WI DSPS)$$$$PrivateMilwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire College of NursingBSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP98.18% first-time (WI DSPS 2024, US50508400) (WI DSPS)$$$PublicEau Claire
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of NursingBSN, RN-to-BSN, DNP, PhD99.02% first-time (WI DSPS 2024, US50509500) (WI DSPS)$$$PublicMadison
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of NursingDNP, PhD95.93% first-time (WI DSPS; UWM cohort) (WI DSPS)$$$PublicMilwaukee

Tuition symbols are directional only ($ community/ADN-focused, $$$$ typical private BSN)—confirm net price on each school’s site. NCLEX: use the linked guide plus WI DSPS publications (e.g. annual reports and approved-program documents) for the same period you are comparing.

Compare options, then narrow by location

Use the full 36-school table for a side-by-side snapshot, or jump to metro cards if geography is your first filter. NurseOnShift does not pick a single “best” school for you—verification with WI DSPS and each institution remains essential.

Compare Nursing Programs Find Programs Near You
Explore

Browse Schools by Program Type

Wisconsin’s nursing programs span four major pathways. Click any school to view its full profile including admission requirements, clinical sites, and accreditation details.

📋 ADN Programs — Associate Degree in Nursing

Community college route to RN licensure in ~2 years

0 colleges

ADN programs are Wisconsin’s most affordable and fastest route to becoming a registered nurse. Offered primarily through the state’s community college system, these 2-year programs include classroom instruction, simulation labs, and clinical rotations at local hospitals and healthcare facilities. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Many ADN nurses subsequently pursue an RN-to-BSN bridge program to advance their careers.

🎓 BSN Programs — Bachelor of Science in Nursing

4-year university degrees with expanded clinical and leadership training

3 schools / BSN+

BSN programs provide a more comprehensive nursing education, blending clinical training with coursework in research, public health, leadership, and evidence-based practice. Wisconsin’s major university nursing schools are ACEN or CCNE accredited. BSN-prepared nurses are increasingly preferred by hospital employers and are better positioned for specialty roles, management, and graduate education.

Marquette University College of Nursing University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire College of Nursing University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing

🔼 RN-to-BSN, MSN & DNP Bridge Programs

Advance your nursing career — often available online

Major RN-BSN & grad hubs

For working RNs, Wisconsin offers numerous pathways to advance from ADN to BSN, BSN to MSN, and MSN to DNP. Several universities offer fully online or hybrid formats, making it practical to work while studying. MSN tracks include nurse educator, nurse administrator, and APRN specializations. DNP programs prepare nurses for the highest level of clinical practice and health system leadership.

Marquette University College of Nursing University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire College of Nursing University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing
Explore

📍 Wisconsin Nursing Schools by City & Region

Click a city to filter the school finder above, or browse schools near you.

Guidance

🧭 How to Choose a Nursing School in Wisconsin

Picking the right program depends on your goals, budget, location, and timeline. Here are the six most important factors to evaluate.

1

NCLEX Pass Rate

Look for programs with strong recent first-attempt outcomes and review multi-year trends in Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Nursing reports. Many applicants prioritize programs consistently above 90%.

2

Accreditation

Confirm ACEN or CCNE accreditation. This is required for graduate school admission and most employer tuition reimbursement programs.

3

Tuition & Financial Aid

Community college ADN programs cost $5k–$9k total vs $18k–$45k/yr for private BSN programs. Factor in scholarships, FAFSA, and Wisconsin’s STARS scholarship.

4

Clinical Partnerships

Schools partnered with major Wisconsin health systems and academic medical centers offer richer clinical experiences and often faster job placement.

5

Program Format

Working adults should explore evening/weekend or online-hybrid ADN and RN-to-BSN options. Several Wisconsin programs offer flexible scheduling.

6

Career Goals

ADN is sufficient for bedside nursing. If you aim for management, CRNA, NP, or research, plan for a BSN → MSN → DNP/PhD pathway from the start.

Finance

💰 Cost of Nursing School in Wisconsin

Tuition varies widely by program type and institution. Wisconsin community colleges make the ADN one of the most affordable entry points in the Southeast.

Community College ADN

$4,000–$9,000

Total program cost at most Wisconsin community colleges. Does not include books (~$1,500), uniforms, and clinical fees. PELL grants and STARS scholarships can eliminate most costs for qualifying students.

Public University BSN

$10,000–$22,000/yr

In-state tuition at Wisconsin public universities. Room and board not included. Total 4-year cost typically $40k–$88k.

Private University BSN/MSN

$30,000–$60,000+/yr

Private schools like Samford, Spring Hill, and Oakwood charge higher tuition but often offer significant institutional scholarships that can reduce net cost considerably.

Financial Aid Tips

  • File FAFSA every year — nursing students often qualify for federal grants and subsidized loans
  • State and federal grant programs may cover much of community-college tuition for qualifying residents
  • Many Wisconsin hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for employed nurses pursuing BSN/MSN
  • The NHSC Scholarship Program offers funding in exchange for service in underserved areas
Metrics

📈 NCLEX Pass Rates in Wisconsin

NCLEX pass rates are the clearest indicator of a nursing program’s effectiveness. Here’s what you need to know about Wisconsin’s standards and what to look for.

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Nursing Standards

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Nursing publishes annual NCLEX performance data that can help applicants compare programs. Rather than relying on a single fixed benchmark, review recent board reports, look for multi-year trends, and compare school-level outcomes with the statewide picture for the same program type.

Pass rates are published annually by the WI DSPS and are the most objective quality metric available when comparing programs. Always request program-specific pass rate history — not just state averages — when evaluating schools.

How to benchmark NCLEX responsibly

Many applicants review first-attempt NCLEX-RN pass rates by program and year. Treat any single figure as a snapshot: cohort sizes differ, and rates move over time. Prefer multi-year trends from the board over one headline percentage. Nationally, NCSBN publishes annual NCLEX performance summaries if you want a big-picture comparison.

  • Use the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Nursing site for official program-level disclosures tied to approved nursing education.
  • Cross-check the specific program name, track (ADN vs BSN vs RN-to-BSN), and reporting year in the board document before comparing schools.
  • When a NurseOnShift guide cites a rate, it should name the source and period; if it points you to the board instead, follow that link for the number.
Sources

📚 Data References

Official board reports, each linked NurseOnShift Wisconsin guide (program lists, schema, and cited school URLs), and national accreditation and exam sources used for this hub.

Each profile lists documented programs, admissions and cost discussion, NCLEX sourcing language, JSON-LD Course entities, and a Data sources / References section with institutional URLs. Program badges on this hub are derived from the same guide data.

Important: tuition, fees, accreditation, admissions standards, and program availability change regularly. Always verify current details directly with the school and the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Nursing before publishing or enrolling.

FAQ

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about nursing schools in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Nursing approves many nursing education programs statewide. This NurseOnShift hub links to 36 Wisconsin institutions we currently profile with full guides, from community-college ADN/LPN ladders through doctoral nursing programs. Always confirm the latest approved-program list with the Board and the school.
Community college ADN programs are typically the most affordable entry point, often costing about $4,000–$9,000 in tuition and required program costs. Schools such as Shelton State Community College, Jefferson State Community College, and Bevill State Community College are often considered lower-cost options. Financial aid availability varies by student and school, so verify current tuition, fees, and aid directly with each institution.
Both lead to RN licensure via the NCLEX-RN. However, BSN-prepared nurses typically earn higher salaries, qualify for more positions, and are strongly preferred by Magnet-status hospitals in Wisconsin. Many nurses choose the more affordable ADN-first path, then complete an online RN-to-BSN program while working — this is a practical and cost-effective strategy in Wisconsin.
Focus on programs with strong recent NCLEX outcomes and review multi-year trends in the latest Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Nursing reports. Many applicants prioritize schools consistently achieving 90% or above. recent WI DSPS data in this guide ranges from 50% to 100%, but you should always verify the most recent annual WI DSPS report and not rely on a single year alone.
Yes. Wisconsin universities including Troy University, the University of Wisconsin, the University of South Wisconsin, and the University of West Wisconsin offer online or hybrid RN-to-BSN pathways. Format, pace, and admission requirements vary by school, so confirm whether the current option is fully online, hybrid, or campus-based before applying.
SA

Sid A. Abdala Balal

Medical Content Writer · NurseOnShift

Sid A. Abdala Balal develops evidence-based nursing education content for NurseOnShift, specializing in nursing school guides, admissions clarity, and licensure outcome research.

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Araceli Collado, RN

Registered Nurse · Clinical Reviewer

Araceli reviews all NurseOnShift nursing school content for clinical accuracy, regulatory compliance, and educational relevance. Her review ensures program-level guidance is checked against current Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Nursing and official school sources before publication.

This page is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Program information including tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and accreditation status changes regularly. Always verify current data directly with each institution and the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Nursing. This content follows our Medical Review Process and Editorial Policy.