Best Nursing Schools in Milwaukee: Programs, Tuition & Rankings for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
February 19, 2026
Compare 12 Milwaukee nursing programs with real tuition and graduate earnings data.
Why Study Nursing in Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is a growing healthcare market with strong demand for nurses across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care facilities. The metro area has 12 institutions offering nursing programs at various levels, from affordable ADN degrees to doctoral programs.
Top University Nursing Programs
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Milwaukee) — 88.4% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $10,020/year. Nursing graduates earn $93,377/year (First Professional Degree).
Marquette University (Milwaukee) — 87.4% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $48,700/year. Nursing graduates earn $106,523/year (Graduate Certificate).
Carthage College (Kenosha) — 84.2% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $36,500/year. Nursing graduates earn $74,265/year (Bachelor's Degree).
Milwaukee School of Engineering (Milwaukee) — 60.4% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $48,421/year. Nursing graduates earn $61,529/year (Bachelor's Degree).
Carroll University (Waukesha) — 58.4% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $37,230/year. Nursing graduates earn $64,501/year (Bachelor's Degree).
Wisconsin Lutheran College (Milwaukee) — 79.0% acceptance rate. In-state tuition: $35,080/year. Nursing graduates earn $67,626/year (Bachelor's Degree).
Community College & Affordable Nursing Programs
- Milwaukee Area Technical College (Milwaukee): $5,017/year, nursing graduates earn $60,210/year
- Gateway Technical College (Kenosha): $4,853/year, nursing graduates earn $61,211/year
How to Choose
Consider your budget, career goals, and timeline. Community college ADN programs offer the fastest and cheapest path to an RN license. University BSN and graduate programs lead to higher earnings and more career options. Many nurses start with an ADN and bridge to BSN while working.
Financial Aid
Check your state's grant programs, federal Pell Grants (up to $7,395/year), and HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarships for nursing-specific aid. Many hospitals also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing nursing degrees.
Next Steps
Compare Milwaukee nursing programs on GradeToGrad.
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