Marquette University College of Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & What to Know (2026)
Jesuit-rooted nursing education in downtown Milwaukee: a direct-entry BSN, a Direct Entry MSN for career changers, and deep graduate/APRN offerings. NCLEX figures below cite Wisconsin DSPS; tuition cites Marquette Central 2025-26 tables—confirm both before you budget or compare cohorts.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
The Ascension Center for Clinical Simulation and Learning anchors high-fidelity practice inside David A. Straz, Jr. Hall, while Marquette’s BSN materials guarantee sequenced coursework and Milwaukee-area clinical rotations for students who stay on plan—useful if you want predictability in a private, urban Jesuit program.
Overview & Why Students Choose Marquette Nursing
Marquette University’s College of Nursing sits along West Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee, giving students a dense hospital market plus the university’s Ignatian emphasis on leadership and service. Undergraduate materials highlight direct freshman admission to nursing (rather than a competitive upper-division gate) and early integration into the college’s professional culture.
At the graduate level, Marquette stacks Direct Entry MSN programming for career changers beside traditional MSN APRN tracks, DNP routes including nurse anesthesia, and a research-focused PhD—often with hybrid or distance options and a Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, site noted for select programs.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) 2024 NCLEX pass rates table, Marquette’s BS (baccalaureate) program line shows 141 candidates with 141 passes (100%), while the MSN line shows 228 tested and 214 passed (93.86%). DSPS tables summarize tested-and-passed counts by program code; confirm the next annual publication for newer cohorts.
Reasons students choose Marquette
Urban clinical access
Milwaukee anchors major integrated delivery networks, academic medical centers, pediatric hospitals, and community agencies—useful for diverse junior- and senior-level rotations described in Marquette’s BSN FAQ.
Direct-entry BSN structure
Students admitted as freshmen receive a sequenced plan with clinical experiences typically beginning junior year, plus published guarantees about coursework and clinical placement when satisfactory progress continues.
Simulation-forward campus
The publicly named Ascension Center for Clinical Simulation and Learning pairs with skills labs to rehearse complex scenarios before live patient care.
Stacked graduate portfolio
From Direct Entry MSN through DNP nurse anesthesia and PhD research tracks, Marquette markets depth for nurses who want to climb from new graduate to APRN, educator, or scientist.
Nursing Programs Offered
Program names and descriptions below mirror Marquette’s undergraduate nursing, graduate nursing explorer, and bursar pages as of this review. Always cross-check the academic programs hub and graduate nursing portal before applying.
Pre-licensure & entry pathways
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Direct entry as a freshman into the College of Nursing, nursing coursework beginning the first year, clinical courses junior year, Honors/VANAP options, and laptop requirement by sophomore year per Marquette’s BSN FAQ.
Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing
For applicants who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree; Marquette cites ~18–21 months and 5- or 8-semester plans, Milwaukee and Pleasant Prairie locations, and hybrid/on-campus mixes depending on track.
Post-licensure graduate nursing (BSN or MSN as listed)
Master of Science in Nursing — APRN & midwifery
Includes adult-gerontology acute and primary care NP, pediatric acute, primary, and dual NP tracks, plus nurse-midwifery (MSN and post-master’s certificate) per the graduate program explorer.
Post-MSN certificates & nurse educator teaching certificate
Focused credentials for nurses who already hold (or are earning) graduate preparation; MSN prerequisites vary by certificate.
Doctoral
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Practice doctorate emphasizing population health and systems leadership; includes nurse anesthesia and NP pathways with BSN-to-DNP or post-MSN options on Marquette’s DNP pages.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Research doctorate preparing nurse scientists; Marquette lists BSN-to-PhD, MSN-to-PhD, and DNP-to-PhD entry points.
Marquette’s public nursing hubs emphasize the four-year BSN and graduate pathways above. A dedicated online RN-to-BSN completion program is not highlighted on the pages reviewed for this guide—ask the college if you need a completion route as a licensed RN.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) 2024 NCLEX pass rates workbook, Marquette University — BS (US50509000) reported 141 candidates and 141 passes (100%), while Marquette University — MSN (US50509700) reported 228 candidates, 214 passes, and a 93.86% rate. These rows aggregate testers the state assigns to each program code; they are not identical to “first-time only” extracts some schools publish separately.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate — BSN (DSPS BS line) | 100% (141 tested / 141 passed, 2024 table) |
| NCLEX-RN pass rate — MSN program line | 93.86% (228 tested / 214 passed, 2024 table) |
| Source | Wisconsin DSPS — 2024 Yearly NCLEX Pass Rates (PDF). Confirm the newest DSPS release and any school consumer disclosures. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting slice. Always confirm the latest pass rates with Wisconsin DSPS (Board of Nursing) and Marquette’s outcome reports.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
International applicants and internationally educated nurses must satisfy Marquette’s graduate or undergraduate admissions standards and Wisconsin’s RN licensure documentation rules. The checklist below is guidance only—not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm minimum TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo scores (if applicable) with Marquette’s Office of International Education and your specific program.
- Credential evaluation: Plan for transcript translation/evaluation vendors the university names for your country and pathway.
- Wisconsin nursing regulation: DSPS/Board of Nursing materials govern clinical clearance, background checks, and NCLEX eligibility for Wisconsin programs.
- Visa & clinical compliance: Clinical courses may require additional immunizations, liability coverage, and travel—ensure your visa status supports required in-person hours.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Marquette’s international office, the College of Nursing, and Wisconsin DSPS.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Undergraduate nursing applicants are evaluated holistically: Marquette lists academics alongside essays, recommendations, leadership/service, optional test scores, and contextual factors such as first-generation status or educational barriers (prospective students statement). Direct Entry MSN and graduate certificates require a prior bachelor’s (or MSN, for post-master’s work) plus program-specific prerequisites; follow the Graduate School application rather than freshman admission for those tracks.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BSN (freshman) | Not publicly disclosed on this page | Use Marquette Office of Undergraduate Admission deadlines for your entry term; nursing is direct-admit. |
| Direct Entry MSN / graduate nursing | Varies by cohort | Consult the Graduate School calendar; Direct Entry cohorts may start spring, summer, or fall. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Typical GPA / prerequisites | Confirm with Marquette admission and the College of Nursing for the cycle you target. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not stated on the Marquette BSN FAQ pages reviewed here; verify whether exams apply for your applicant type. |
| Clinical ratio (BSN coursework) | Marquette notes clinical courses aim for roughly a 1:8 instructor-to-student ratio once clinicals begin. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Marquette publishes detailed undergraduate and graduate tuition tables on its bursar site. Private universities typically charge the same base tuition regardless of Wisconsin residency, but total cost of attendance still includes mandatory fees, housing, food, books, and travel estimates listed in Marquette Central’s cost-of-attendance materials.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate nursing (full-time, ≥12 credits) | $26,035 per term / $52,070 per academic year (2025-26 table) |
| Undergraduate student fees (full-time) | $600 per term / $1,200 per year (health, activity, U-PASS, recreation, technology bundle) |
| Direct Entry MSN (second-degree) totals | Examples: $67,000 total for five-term starts in Spring/Summer/Fall 2025; $69,000 for Spring 2026 five-term starts; eight-term tracks show paired per-term amounts totaling the same program price on the bursar table. |
| Graduate per-credit (general) | Graduate School rate listed at $1,400 per credit (2025-26 table)—confirm whether your MSN/DNP plan uses this rate or a health-professions schedule. |
| Source | Marquette Central — 2025-26 Tuition and Housing Fees · Undergraduate cost of attendance |
Marquette notes rates are subject to correction or regulatory change—reconcile every figure with your official financial aid offer.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Marquette’s March 2025 news article highlights strong NCLEX performance tied to the same DSPS spreadsheet cited in this guide; for employment percentages or salary data, rely on Marquette’s consumer information or career outcomes pages rather than unsourced estimates.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate — BSN (DSPS BS line) | 100% (141/141, 2024 DSPS workbook) |
| NCLEX-RN pass rate — MSN line | 93.86% (214/228, 2024 DSPS workbook) |
| Source | Wisconsin DSPS 2024 NCLEX Pass Rates (PDF); contextual story: Marquette Today (Mar. 2025) |
| Job placement / salary | Not publicly disclosed on this page; see Marquette career services or consumer information disclosures. |
Is Marquette Nursing the Right Fit for You?
Choose Marquette if you want a private, mission-driven program embedded in Milwaukee’s teaching hospitals and if you value direct-entry sequencing. Consider alternatives if you need the lowest possible tuition, a fully online pre-licensure path, or a published RN-to-BSN completion option Marquette does not emphasize on its public nursing pages.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want freshman admission to nursing with junior-year clinicals and published placement guarantees when satisfactory progress continues.
- Plan to leverage Milwaukee’s Level I trauma centers, children’s hospitals, and safety-net clinics for broad exposure.
- Are exploring Direct Entry MSN acceleration or APRN/DNP training with optional Pleasant Prairie hybrid scheduling.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a clearly advertised online RN-to-BSN—Marquette’s hubs spotlight the four-year BSN and graduate degrees instead.
- Prefer large public-university pricing; Marquette’s 2025-26 nursing tuition is $52,070/year before fees.
- Want certainty about standardized testing requirements without contacting admissions (not spelled out on the BSN FAQ reviewed here).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Southeastern Wisconsin blends academic medical centers, faith-based systems, public health departments, and community clinics. Marquette references “designated health care settings” across the Milwaukee region for BSN clinical rotations; optional experiences include the Veteran Affairs Nursing Academic Partnership (VANAP) detailed on the college site.
| Anchor institution / concept | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee academic medicine & Level I care | Provides high-acuity med-surg, trauma, transplant, oncology, and specialty pediatric exposure typical of urban teaching hubs. |
| Community & public health | Neighborhood clinics, county health initiatives, and school-based nursing augment population-health learning objectives. |
| Regional VA partnership | Marquette advertises VANAP as an optional undergraduate pathway with focused VA clinical experiences. |
Clinical contracts rotate; confirm which agencies host your cohort with the College of Nursing’s placement team.
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing students are based in David A. Straz, Jr. Hall, a block from Marquette’s central campus and adjacent to the hospital district. Simulation occurs in the Ascension Center for Clinical Simulation and Learning, while the Helene Fuld Center for Nursing Student Success centralizes advising. Organizationally, the college promotes student groups and honor societies via its student-life pages; expect laptop ownership by sophomore year for digital coursework.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Milwaukee, WI
- Address
- David A. Straz, Jr. Hall, 1225 W. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233, US
- Telephone
- (414) 288-3800
- Contact email
- munursing@marquette.edu
- Website
- marquette.edu/nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download Marquette’s nursing viewbook PDF and skim the BSN curriculum map.
- Open the 2025-26 tuition table and model one year of tuition + fees + housing.
- Bookmark the Wisconsin DSPS NCLEX workbook to track future annual updates.
- Email julie.radfrod@marquette.edu or madeline.schmidt@marquette.edu for undergraduate questions (per Marquette’s contact page); use taylorrose.pamperin@marquette.edu for graduate program advising.
- If you are considering Direct Entry MSN, complete the request form on mastersnursing.marquette.edu for cohort-specific details.
- Shadow a nurse in Milwaukee or tour Straz Hall’s simulation labs during an admitted-student event.
- Add Marquette and DSPS deadlines to your calendar, including financial aid priority dates at Marquette Central.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Marquette University College of Nursing offer?
Marquette’s public graduate nursing hub lists a Direct Entry MSN for non-nursing bachelor graduates, MSN nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery tracks for BSN-prepared RNs, DNP options including nurse anesthesia, a PhD in Nursing, post-MSN certificates, and a teaching certificate for nurse educators. Undergraduate materials describe a direct-entry four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Confirm current tracks with the college catalog.
What NCLEX-RN pass rates does Wisconsin report for Marquette?
The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services 2024 NCLEX pass rates document lists Marquette University BS (BSN) with 141 candidates tested, 141 passed, and a 100% pass rate, and Marquette University MSN with 228 tested, 214 passed, and a 93.86% pass rate. DSPS tables summarize tested versus passed cohorts; confirm the latest year with DSPS.
How much is Marquette undergraduate nursing tuition for 2025-26?
Marquette Central’s 2025-26 tuition and housing fees page lists Nursing at $26,035 per term for students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours, totaling $52,070 per academic year, before required student fees such as the $600 per term bundle for full-time undergraduates.
How is Direct Entry MSN tuition billed at Marquette?
The bursar page includes a dedicated table for the Master of Science in Nursing second-degree direct entry program, with total program prices such as $67,000 for five-term cohorts starting Spring, Summer, or Fall 2025, and $69,000 for cohorts starting Spring 2026, alongside an eight-term layout. Use that table for the entry term you target.
Does Marquette College of Nursing offer an online RN-to-BSN program?
This guide focuses on pathways Marquette highlights on its nursing and graduate nursing pages: the traditional BSN, Direct Entry MSN, and graduate certificates and degrees. A dedicated RN-to-BSN completion track is not called out on those hubs; if you are already licensed, ask the college whether any completion option exists for your situation.
What is distinctive about Marquette’s undergraduate BSN structure?
Marquette emphasizes direct freshman admission to the College of Nursing, early nursing coursework, and junior-year clinicals, with published guarantees that students who stay on plan receive needed classes, clinical hours, and four-year graduation assuming satisfactory performance. Laptop ownership is required by sophomore year per the BSN FAQ.
Where do Marquette nursing students complete clinical experiences?
Undergraduate FAQ materials describe eight- to ten-hour clinical days one to two times weekly once clinical courses begin, with placements in designated health care settings across the Milwaukee region; students may also pursue options such as the Veteran Affairs Nursing Academic Partnership. Exact hospitals rotate; confirm with the clinical placement office.
Is Marquette nursing accredited?
Marquette’s prospective student pages state CCNE accreditation plus acknowledgment of Wisconsin State Board of Nursing oversight and ACME accreditation for midwifery-related programming. Verify current accreditation statements with the college and CCNE.
How selective is Marquette nursing admission?
The college describes holistic review weighing academics, essays, recommendations, leadership, and context factors rather than a single metric, but it does not publish a nursing-specific acceptance rate on this page. Treat the program as competitive and confirm testing requirements, if any, with undergraduate admissions and the College of Nursing.
References
- Marquette University College of Nursing — homehttps://www.marquette.edu/nursing/
- Marquette — academic programs & prospective studentshttps://www.marquette.edu/nursing/academic-programs.php
- Marquette — graduate nursing explorerhttps://www.marquette.edu/grad/nursing-msn-dnp-certificate-graduate-programs.php
- Marquette Central — 2025-26 tuition & housing feeshttps://www.marquette.edu/central/bursar/tuition-housing-fees-2025-26.php
- Wisconsin DSPS — 2024 yearly NCLEX pass rates (PDF)https://dsps.wi.gov/Documents/2024YearlyPass%20Rate_WI.pdf
- Marquette Today — NCLEX story (Mar. 2025)https://today.marquette.edu/2025/03/college-of-nursing-achieves-perfect-nclex-pass-rate-for-bsn-graduates/
- Marquette — BSN FAQ (clinicals, laptop)https://www.marquette.edu/nursing/faq-bachelor-science-bsn.php
- Wisconsin DSPS — Board of Nursing landinghttps://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/BoardsCouncils/BoardOfNursing/BoardOfNursing.aspx
- 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 alignment with Wisconsin DSPS publications, Marquette Central 2025-26 tuition tables, and separation of pre-licensure versus graduate nursing pathways.
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 Marquette University and Wisconsin DSPS (Board of Nursing).
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy