Wisconsin's middle half of registered nurses earn between $81,920 and $102,610, but the route to that paycheck splits early depending on the ADN vs BSN nursing school path: a two-year technical-college ADN, a four-year university BSN, or a 12-to-16-month accelerated BSN. First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates are the clearest public signal of whether a program teaches to licensing standards rather than just enrolling students.
The rankings below compare ADN and BSN options at UW campuses, private universities, and Wisconsin Technical College System schools, with cost, Milwaukee and Wauwatosa options, admissions, and licensure folded in. Hospital systems in Milwaukee and Madison increasingly expect BSN completion or enrollment soon after hire, which is why Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Wisconsin are central to transfer and tuition planning.
Top Nursing Programs in Wisconsin by NCLEX-RN Results (2027)
The NCLEX-RN is the licensing exam every Wisconsin nursing graduate has to pass before practicing, and first-time results are one of the clearest signals of how thoroughly a program prepares students for it. The schools below posted the strongest first-time outcomes among Wisconsin's associate and bachelor's degree nursing offerings, and several also hand graduates a clear next step, whether that is a BSN completion path or a faster second-career route into nursing.
How we ranked these
- Institution-wide graduation rates
- Student retention and completion trends
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass results
- Accreditation and program approval status
- Net price after financial aid
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- Program-level NCLEX pass rates from the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
University of Wisconsin-Madison
#1Madison, WI · ~$17,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.2% (2-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Academic high achievers seeking a flagship BSN
UW-Madison anchors the University of Wisconsin System's nursing offerings with a traditional BSN, a 12-month accelerated BSN for second-degree students, and a fully online RN to BSN. Traditional students spend their first two years on prerequisites and general education, then apply midway through sophomore year for the two-year nursing component, which mixes lectures, labs, and clinical rotations across hospitals, clinics, rehab centers, home health agencies, and community sites. The accelerated track is cohort-based and finishes in about a year, and the RN to BSN version runs asynchronously online in seven-week and 14-week sessions.
- CCNE accredited, four-year traditional BSN
- 124 total credit hours
- One start date per year, fall admission
- 2.8 GPA minimum with prerequisite courses
- Clinical placements can run up to 90 miles from campus
- Two-year nursing component after a sophomore application
- School registers students for the NCLEX exam
- BSN Honors in the Major available
- 12-month program for second-degree students
- Cohort-based with an October 1 application deadline
- No entrance exam required
- Prerequisite courses required
- Program reports a 96% licensure pass rate
- Advanced simulation and clinical training
- Clinical placements arranged for students
- Rotations in rural and urban hospitals
- Fully online, asynchronous coursework
- $452 per credit
- 31 total credit hours and 135 clinical hours
- Completes in 1.5 to 2.5 years, part-time available
- Two start dates per year, fall and spring
- Seven-week or 14-week course formats
- Statewide collaboration with seven UW campuses
- Capstone required
Maranatha Baptist University
#2Watertown, WI · ~$26,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 100% (2-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Christian students wanting a faith-based BSN
Maranatha Baptist University is a private Christian campus in Watertown whose four-year BSN is taught within a biblical worldview and backed by more than 1,000 hours of clinical experience. Students work through medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, maternity, pharmacology, and public health, then finish with a capstone practicum and a built-in NCLEX review course. The program is CCNE accredited and offers an optional medical missions trip for students who want international clinical exposure.
- CCNE accredited
- More than 1,000 hours of clinical experience
- Capstone practicum required
- NCLEX review course included
- Nursing taught within a biblical worldview
- Medical missions trip opportunity
- Prepares students for the NCLEX-RN
Moraine Park Technical College
#3Fond du Lac, WI · ~$9,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.4% (2-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Working adults eyeing an LPN stepping stone
Moraine Park Technical College is one of the Wisconsin technical colleges offering an associate degree in nursing with a built-in practical nursing exit point, so students can become an LPN after two semesters and keep going toward RN licensure. The ACEN-accredited, 68-credit program blends classroom theory with simulation and clinical rotations and runs at campuses in Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam, and West Bend. Graduates step into critical care, neonatal, mental health, and medical-surgical roles, and the program accepts prior learning credits and offers dual credit for high school students.
- ACEN accredited
- 68 total credit hours over two years
- Practical nursing exit point after two semesters
- Total program tuition around $12,152
- Campuses in Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam, and West Bend
- Starts fall and spring
- Prior learning credits and dual credit accepted
- Out-of-state residents not eligible
Lakeshore Technical College
#4Cleveland, WI · $10,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 100% (2-yr weighted avg)
Lakeshore Technical College delivers its nursing associate degree from a single Cleveland campus, with clinical and simulation training in the Froedtert and Medical College of Wisconsin Center for Health Care Excellence. The ACEN-accredited program spans 65 credits over seven terms and starts in fall or spring, with pathways for LPNs and EMT-Paramedics moving into the RN role. Graduates who want a bachelor's degree can continue through the FORWARD partnership with UW-Green Bay, and the college reports median earnings near $72,846 for program completers.
- ACEN accredited
- 65 total credit hours across seven terms
- $10,690 total program tuition
- Starts fall and spring
- Clinical training Monday through Friday
- Pathways for LPNs and EMT-Paramedics
- FORWARD partnership for BSN transfer to UW-Green Bay
- Median earnings reported around $72,846
Milwaukee School of Engineering
#5Milwaukee, WI · ~$22,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.1% (2-yr weighted avg)
Milwaukee School of Engineering runs a campus-based nursing school in downtown Milwaukee with two routes: a traditional BSN that admits students directly into the major and a 16-month accelerated track for career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree. Both tracks train in the Ruehlow Nursing Complex, a simulation center with high-fidelity patient scenarios, and both report full employment, graduate school, or military service placement for recent graduates. The accelerated option starts twice a year and holds full approval from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.
- CCNE accredited
- Direct admission into the nursing major
- Guaranteed progression through clinical courses
- Nursing Living Learning Community for first-year students
- Anatomy and Physiology JumpStart Program
- Training in the Ruehlow Nursing Complex simulation center
- Reported 100% job placement for recent graduates
- CCNE accredited
- 16-month program for career changers with a bachelor's degree
- Two start dates per year, fall and spring
- 660 clinical hours
- At least 15 simulation experiences
- Reported 100% licensure pass rate
- Full approval by Wisconsin DSPS
Mid-State Technical College
#6Wisconsin Rapids, WI · ~$11,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 99.4% (2-yr weighted avg)
Mid-State Technical College offers an associate degree in nursing across three Wisconsin locations, combining classroom instruction, simulation in the Healthcare Simulation Center, and clinical placements. The ACEN-accredited, 68-credit program takes about two years and includes LPN-to-ADN and paramedic-to-ADN entry pathways for students who already hold a license or certification. A partnership with UW-Stevens Point lets graduates continue to a BSN, and for 2026-27 the college says applicants can begin nursing onboarding while finishing prerequisites in the same semester.
- ACEN accredited
- 68 total credit hours over two years
- $15,318 total program tuition
- Starts fall and spring
- Hybrid and in-person delivery at three locations
- LPN-to-ADN and paramedic-to-ADN pathways
- BSN completion partnership with UW-Stevens Point
- Simulation training in the Healthcare Simulation Center
Fox Valley Technical College
#7Appleton, WI · $5,000 – $7,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.2% (2-yr weighted avg)
Fox Valley Technical College's RN associate degree is a 65-credit program in Appleton that mixes classroom theory with clinical practice in health assessment, medication administration, and patient care. The ACEN-accredited program is approved by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing and offers full-time and part-time options, with coursework covering drug classifications, healthy lifestyle promotion, and team-based care. Core nursing courses are in high demand and carry a one- to two-year wait, and a CNA credential is required before students enter the core sequence.
- ACEN accredited and approved by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing
- 65 total credit hours
- $12,300 total program tuition
- Full-time and part-time options
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- CNA required before core nursing courses
- One to two year wait for core courses
- Multiple admission pathways
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
#8Eau Claire, WI · ~$17,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98% (2-yr weighted avg)
UW-Eau Claire's BSN completion program is built for registered nurses and ADN graduates who want a bachelor's degree without stepping away from work, delivered in hybrid online formats with rolling admissions. Courses run in seven-week and 14-week sessions, and students complete a 90-hour clinical project at an agency in their own region. The program is CCNE accredited and leans on employer partnerships that include Mayo Clinic and Marshfield Clinic Health System, with graduates moving into nurse manager, public health nurse, and clinical coordinator roles.
- CCNE accredited
- Two-year completion program with rolling admissions
- Hybrid online with synchronous and asynchronous options
- Courses in seven-week and 14-week sessions
- 90 clinical hours through a clinical project
- Built for registered nurses and ADN graduates
- Clinical project at diverse community agencies
- Prepares graduates for nurse manager roles
Northcentral Technical College
#9Wausau, WI · $5,000 – $7,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 99.4% (2-yr weighted avg)
Northcentral Technical College's associate degree in nursing in Wausau covers 69 credits of fundamentals, pharmacology, health alterations, clinical care, and nursing management, with simulation labs that use adaptive patient scenarios to build clinical judgment. The ACEN-accredited program keeps several doors open: LPN and paramedic bridge pathways, plus concurrent enrollment with UW-Oshkosh for students who want to work toward a BSN at the same time. Through the Purple and Blue Advantage collaboration with UW-Stevens Point at Wausau, students can share labs, tutoring, and academic support without leaving central Wisconsin.
- ACEN accredited
- 69 total credit hours
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- $0 application fee
- LPN-to-ADN and paramedic-to-ADN bridge pathways
- Concurrent BSN option with UW-Oshkosh
- Simulation labs with AI-supported patient scenarios
- BLS CPR certification and background check required
Carroll University
#10Waukesha, WI · $15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.4% (2-yr weighted avg)
Carroll University in Waukesha offers two entry points into nursing: a traditional BSN that starts simulation and lab skill work in the first year and a two-year associate degree in nursing with a bilingual Spanish-English focus. BSN students finish with a 120-hour capstone they can target toward medical-surgical, pediatric, or intensive care, with clinical placements at sites including Mayo Clinic, the VA, and Agrace. The ADN track suits students who want a more direct route to licensure and offers a pathway into an RN-MSN program for those who plan to keep climbing.
- CCNE accredited
- 120 clinical hours plus a capstone
- INACSL endorsed simulation program
- Clinical placements at Mayo Clinic, the VA, and Agrace
- Cross-cultural experience requirement
- Pinning and White Coat ceremonies
- Sigma Theta Tau membership available
- Two-year program with roughly 120 clinical hours
- Bilingual Spanish-English focus
- Admission preference for bilingual applicants
- 2.5 GPA minimum with prerequisite courses
- Capstone and admissions interview required
- Pathway to an RN-MSN program
- Employer tuition reimbursement supported
Behind the List: Exam Results First, Then Completion and Accreditation
Why exam results lead
Today’s nursing hiring market rewards schools that prove their graduates can pass the licensing exam on the first attempt, not just schools with an appealing campus or familiar name. That is why first-time NCLEX-RN performance carries the most weight in the list below.
A program's first-time pass rate is the clearest public signal of how well it prepares students for the one test standing between them and RN practice. Passing on the first try matters because retakes delay licensure and can point to gaps in classroom or clinical preparation. A three-year first-time test-taker-weighted average smooths out outlier years and keeps a single unusually strong or weak cohort, or a very small one, from skewing a school's position. This approach favors steady, well-staffed programs over isolated spikes.
When programs land close together on exam performance, the ranking looks next at programmatic accreditation through CCNE or ACEN, which includes nursing clinical attendance accreditation requirements, and at institution-wide completion and retention. These measures confirm the program meets national standards and that students tend to finish what they start.
What the score does not measure
This score intentionally leaves out price, location, and admission difficulty, including Nursing School Entrance Exams. Those factors matter for fit, but they are treated separately in the cost and admissions sections so you can weigh them alongside exam results.
First-Time NCLEX-RN Pass Rates, Program by Program
A first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is the share of a program's graduates who pass the national nursing licensing exam on their first attempt. Below are the latest figures published by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Board of Nursing, for the 2026 reporting year, with the number of test-takers in parentheses.
Wisconsin Results
- Cardinal Stritch University (BS and ADN tracks): 100% (2 test-takers each)
- Blackhawk Technical College (ADN): 97.83% (46 test-takers)
- Bellin College (BS): 97.78% (90 test-takers)
- Bryant & Stratton College (ADN): 93.78% (112 test-takers)
- Alverno College (BS): 91.84% (49 test-takers)
The National Benchmark
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing reported a first-time pass rate of 86.7% for U.S.-educated candidates in its 2025 NCLEX examination statistics, covering 192,916 test-takers across all degree types.1 Every program above clears that figure, and each one also finishes above 90%.
What the Numbers Tell You
- ADN programs hold their own: Blackhawk Technical College's two-year program posted 97.83%, a hair above Bellin College's bachelor's program at 97.78%. When comparing bsn vs adn programs, degree type alone does not predict exam success here.
- Size matters for context: Bryant & Stratton tested the most graduates, 112, and still passed more than 93% of them. That is a more telling result than a perfect score from a very small group.
- Tiny cohorts swing hard: Cardinal Stritch's 100% NCLEX Pass Rate rests on just two test-takers. One failed attempt would have dropped it to 50%. Treat results from cohorts this small as a snapshot, not a trend.
When you compare programs, How to Read NCLEX-RN Pass Rate Data When Evaluating Nursing Schools advises looking at pass rates across several years where you can and weighing them against cohort size. A school with 90 test-takers and a rate near 98% has shown consistency that a two-person cohort cannot.
ADN, ASN, BSN, or Accelerated: Four Routes to an RN in Wisconsin
How long does it take to become an RN in Wisconsin? Plan on roughly 2 years of nursing coursework for an associate degree, 4 years for a traditional BSN, and about 12 to 16 months for an accelerated BSN if you already hold a bachelor's degree. ADN and BSN graduates sit for the same NCLEX-RN, but many Wisconsin hospital employers, particularly larger health systems, prefer or require a BSN, so many associate-degree nurses later bridge to a bachelor's.
| Route or Program | Typical Length | Where It's Offered | Credential Earned | Start Terms | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technical-college ADN or ASN | About 2 years of nursing courses, often longer once prerequisites are included | Wisconsin technical colleges and some private colleges | Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) | Varies by college; confirm with each school | Students who want the lowest-cost, fastest first-degree path to RN licensure and plan to work while they continue their education |
| Traditional four-year BSN | About 4 years | UW campuses, private universities, and private colleges | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | Usually fall; varies by school | First-time college students who want the credential many hospitals prefer and a direct path toward graduate nursing study |
| Three-year BSN | About 3 years on a year-round schedule | Some private colleges nationally; availability in Wisconsin should be confirmed directly with schools | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | Varies by school | Highly motivated first-degree students who can handle year-round coursework to finish sooner |
| UW-Madison Accelerated BSN | 12 months | UW-Madison School of Nursing, Madison | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | Summer only; starts in May | Students with a non-nursing bachelor's or graduate degree who want the quickest route to licensure through a full-time, intensive program |
| MSOE Accelerated Second-Degree BSN | 16 months | Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), CCNE-accredited | August/September and January | Career changers with a bachelor's degree who want a compressed, year-round curriculum and more than one start option |
| UW-Milwaukee Accelerated BSN | 12 months | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | Summer only; no fall or spring starts | Students with a bachelor's degree or higher making a career change through a fast-track program |
| UW-Oshkosh Accelerated BSN | Length not confirmed in our research; check with the school | UW-Oshkosh School of Nursing and Health Professions | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | Next available fall, spring, or summer term | Second-degree students who value flexible start dates throughout the year |
Starting at a Technical College and Finishing a BSN at a UW Campus
Can you earn an ADN at a Wisconsin technical college and then finish a BSN at a UW campus? Yes, and the state has built a formal ADN to BSN transfer path for it. A systemwide agreement links Wisconsin Technical College System institutions to the UW BSN@Home program, which is administered by UW-Madison, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, and UW-Stevens Point. BSN@Home is delivered online and generally requires an ADN, equivalent, or nursing diploma from an accredited program.
How Credits Transfer
Each campus handles credit differently, so check before you commit:
- UW-Eau Claire: 120 total credits, a 2.50 GPA, and nursing requirements that include statistics and biochemistry.1
- UW-Green Bay: Up to 90 transferred credits, with an advisor deciding what counts.2
- UW-Milwaukee: Up to 30 ADN nursing credits may apply for graduates from May 1996 onward, toward a 120-credit plan. An NCLEX pass and an unencumbered license come first.
- UW-Oshkosh: Articulation agreements with schools such as Chippewa Valley and Gateway Technical College.
UW-Milwaukee also runs a collaborative program with MATC that leads to both an ADN and a BSN. No named private-university agreements were confirmed, so ask those schools directly. Pre-licensure BSN options at UW campuses are also not fully documented. UW-Madison offers a 12-month intensive route for people who already have a bachelor's or graduate degree outside nursing.
Cost Versus Time
Starting at a technical college generally costs less than four years at a university, and you can work as an RN while you finish. The trade-off is an extra year or more of school.
A typical pathway looks like this: complete a WTCS ADN, pass the NCLEX-RN, then enroll part time in an online UW RN to BSN program while working. The ADN takes about two years. The BSN stretch varies with transferred credits and your course load, often one to two years. Total time is commonly three to four years from your first nursing course.
Wisconsin by City
Explore other Wisconsin related topics
Wisconsin RN Median Pay
Wisconsin RNs earn a solid living. The middle half of the state's registered nurses earn between $81,920 and $102,610 a year.
Registered Nurse Wages by Wisconsin Metro Area
Metro-level RN wage figures for areas such as Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Appleton are not available in our current data, so the table below shows statewide figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, comparing registered nurses with LPNs and postsecondary nursing faculty. Wisconsin's 68,060 RNs earn a median of $95,530 a year, about $31,770 more than the LPN median, which helps explain why so many LPNs pursue an RN bridge. Demand looks durable: Wisconsin's latest RN supply and demand forecast projects a shortage peaking in the 2040s at 9,500 to 13,800 nurses (a 13 to 20 percent gap) if current trends hold, and the Department of Workforce Development projects 10.7 percent growth and roughly 35,879 annual openings through 2032 for the broader health care practitioner and support group, a figure that covers more than RNs alone.
| Occupation | Wisconsin Employment | Median Annual Wage | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 68,060 | $95,530 | $81,920 | $102,610 | $94,690 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 7,390 | $63,760 | $59,620 | $75,010 | $65,870 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,760 | $84,700 | $76,960 | $100,330 | $87,000 |
What Wisconsin Nursing Programs Typically Ask of Applicants
Requirements vary by school, and meeting a minimum never guarantees a seat. Here is what to expect.
- Know the admission modelMost traditional BSN programs are upper-division. At UW–Madison and UW–Oshkosh, you complete prerequisites first, then compete for a nursing seat. UW–Madison requires 54 credits and four of seven prerequisites at application, and UW–Oshkosh requires 45 credits. Both schools' accelerated BSNs admit students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree directly.
- GPA minimumsBSN minimums generally fall between 2.5 and 3.0. Examples include 2.5 at UW–Stevens Point, 2.75 at UW–Madison, and 2.8 for UW–Oshkosh's traditional BSN. UW–Oshkosh's accelerated BSN asks for a 3.0 prerequisite GPA. Competitive applicants usually exceed these figures.
- Entrance examsUW–Madison and UW–Stevens Point do not require the TEAS or HESI. UW–Oshkosh's traditional BSN uses a standardized nursing entrance test with a 64.9% minimum. Its accelerated program accepts strong TEAS scores from applicants whose prior GPA falls below the 2.5 threshold.
- Common prerequisitesUW–Stevens Point lists general chemistry, two anatomy and physiology courses, human growth and development, statistics, and a nursing assistant course. Both UW–Oshkosh BSN tracks require CNA certification, while UW–Madison does not.
- WTCS ADN programsThe Wisconsin Technical College System publishes no systemwide prerequisite list. CNA certification is not a universal pre-admission requirement because first-semester coursework prepares students for the nursing assistant role. Confirm each college's current entry rules directly.
- Clinical clearancesBefore clinical placements, expect to complete a criminal background check and document required immunizations. Confirm each program's specific list early, since missing paperwork can delay your start.
Getting Licensed Through the Wisconsin Board of Nursing
How Long Does It Take to Go From Your First Prerequisite to an RN License in Wisconsin?
Every Wisconsin RN follows the same basic sequence, whether the path runs through a technical college or a UW campus. The biggest variable is the education stage: about 2 years for an ADN, about 4 years for a traditional BSN, and roughly 12-18 months for accelerated BSN students who already hold a bachelor's degree.
More Wisconsin Nursing Schools Worth a Look
The schools below are not ranked against one another. They are grouped by region so you can start with the part of Wisconsin where you plan to live and work, and each entry notes the city, degree level, program format, and the average net price reported for the institution.
Southeast Wisconsin
- Nursing - Associate Degree
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
South Central Wisconsin
- Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associate Degree in Nursing
Northeast Wisconsin
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Nursing - Associate Degree
- Traditional BSN
- BSN@Home
- Accelerated BSN
Western Wisconsin
- Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associate Degree Nursing
Northwoods
- Nursing - Associate Degree
- Nursing