nursingadmissionscareersWisconsin

Best Nursing Schools in Wisconsin: Programs, Tuition & How to Apply

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

January 24, 2026

Wisconsin offers 15 nursing programs from $3,861 at Northcentral Tech to $48,700 at Marquette, with UW-Eau Claire graduates earning $117,029.

Overview of Nursing Education in Wisconsin

Wisconsin provides 15 nursing programs across 8 universities and 7 technical colleges. The state's technical college system offers some of the nation's most affordable nursing education — under $5,000/year — while UW System schools deliver strong university programs at reasonable in-state tuition.

Top University Nursing Programs

UW-Eau Claire produces the highest-earning nursing graduates at $117,029/year for doctoral programs. Tuition is $9,277 with a 76.1% acceptance rate and 66.4% graduation rate.

UW-Oshkosh offers doctoral nursing with graduates earning $110,893/year at $8,212 tuition — excellent value.

University of Wisconsin-Madison is the flagship with First Professional Degree nursing at $11,205/year. Graduates earn $108,953 with a 43.4% acceptance rate and 89.3% graduation rate.

Marquette University (Milwaukee) provides Graduate Certificate programs at $48,700/year with $106,523 nursing earnings.

UW-Milwaukee offers programs at $10,020/year with nursing graduates earning $93,377.

Technical College Nursing Programs

Wisconsin's technical colleges are exceptionally affordable:

Northcentral Technical College (Wausau): $3,861/year — the cheapest in the state, graduates earn $51,220
Chippewa Valley TC (Eau Claire): $4,724/year, $57,011 earnings
Waukesha County TC: $4,720/year, $56,722 earnings
Gateway TC (Kenosha): $4,853/year, $61,211 earnings
Northeast Wisconsin TC (Green Bay): $4,904/year, $52,460 earnings
Fox Valley TC (Appleton): $4,916/year, $54,300 earnings
Milwaukee Area TC: $5,017/year, $60,210 earnings

All 7 are under $5,100/year — remarkable affordability for nursing education.

How to Choose

Best value university: UW-Oshkosh ($8,212, $110K earnings) or UW-Eau Claire ($9,277, $117K)
Most affordable: Northcentral Tech at $3,861/year
Best CC earnings: Gateway TC in Kenosha ($61,211)
Flagship: UW-Madison ($11,205, $108K earnings, 89.3% graduation rate)

Nursing Job Market

Wisconsin's nursing demand is driven by major health systems including Advocate Aurora Health, Ascension Wisconsin, Froedtert & MCW, Marshfield Clinic Health System, and UW Health. Rural Wisconsin faces particular nursing shortages.

Next Steps

Compare Wisconsin nursing programs on GradeToGrad.