2023 Best Nursing Schools in Wisconsin
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for nursing students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Nursing Schools in Wisconsin ranking. This report analyzed 39 schools in Wisconsin to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Schools in Wisconsin
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named University of Wisconsin - Madison the best school in Wisconsin for nursing students working on their degree. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, the large public school awarded 17,447 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UW - Madison accumulate an average of $31,074 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $400 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UW - Madison graduates make an average of $50,802 annually.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ottawa University - Milwaukee. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Wisconsin list. Ottawa University - Milwaukee is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Brookfield, Wisconsin that handed out 79 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,766 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Ottawa University - Milwaukee graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,885 during the early year of their career.
The excellent programs at Madison Area Technical College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Wisconsin. Madison Area Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 3,280 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,784 in student loans.After graduating from Madison College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,202 during the early years of their career.
The excellent programs at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Wisconsin. UWM Flexible Option is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 132 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $19,736 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $196. Once they receive their degree, UWM Flexible Option graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,102 during the early year of their career.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Moraine Park Technical College is a great place for nursing students. Moraine Park Technical College is a small public school situated in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. It awarded 1,719 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College accumulate an average of $10,552 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Moraine Park Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,031 during the early years of their career.
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #6 on the list. UW - Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,030 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $23,908 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UW - Eau Claire, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,330 during the early years of their career.
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Located in Appleton, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 3,648 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,430 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, FVTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,943 during the early year of their career.
With a ranking of #8, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. This medium-sized public school is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and it awarded 1,823 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $21,408 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $131 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UW - Green Bay graduates make an average of $36,510 annually.
Marquette University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Wisconsin list. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 3,757 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $58,434 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $579. During the early years of their career, Marquette graduates make an average of $52,581 annually.
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 2,576 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from CVTC accumulate an average of $13,817 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, CVTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,325 during the early year of their career.
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Wisconsin ranking. UW Oshkosh is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,708 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,011 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $175, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UW Oshkosh graduates make an average of $43,232 annually.
Blackhawk Technical College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Wisconsin list. BTC is located in Janesville, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 795 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $10,247 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, BTC graduates make an average of $38,255 annually.
Gateway Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list. Gateway Technical College is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,683 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,742 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Gateway Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,772 during the early year of their career.
Milwaukee School of Engineering ranked #14 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Wisconsin list. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 672 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,269 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $476. During the early years of their career, MSOE graduates make an average of $63,379 annually.
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Wisconsin list. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,894 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,151 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $226. During the early years of their career, UW - Stevens Point graduates make an average of $36,544 annually.
With a ranking of #16, Edgewood College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Edgewood is located in Madison, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 540 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Edgewood accumulate an average of $34,968 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $321. During the early years of their career, Edgewood graduates make an average of $51,601 annually.
Carroll University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and it awarded 893 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Carroll U accumulate an average of $34,085 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $404. During the early years of their career, Carroll U graduates make an average of $48,098 annually.
Rasmussen University - Wisconsin landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Rasmussen University - Wisconsin is a very small private for-profit school situated in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It awarded 303 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $22,566 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $168, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Rasmussen University - Wisconsin graduates make an average of $41,940 annually.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the large public school awarded 5,987 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,590 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $197, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UWM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,205 during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #20, Viterbo University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Viterbo is a private not-for-profit institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 951 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $26,605 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $332, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Viterbo graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,464 during the early year of their career.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. This fairly large public school is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and it awarded 3,012 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from NWTC accumulate an average of $13,554 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, NWTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,536 during the early year of their career.
Concordia University, Wisconsin ranked #22 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Wisconsin list. Concordia University, Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit institution located in Mequon, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,431 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Concordia University, Wisconsin accumulate an average of $41,792 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $472 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Concordia University, Wisconsin graduates make an average of $51,442 annually.
Herzing University - Madison came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,016 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,991 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $175.After graduating from Herzing University - Madison, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,556 during the early years of their career.
Waukesha County Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #24 on the list. WCTC is a public institution located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,019 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,038 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, WCTC graduates make an average of $38,058 annually.
Lakeland University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Lakeland is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Plymouth, Wisconsin. It awarded 710 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Lakeland accumulate an average of $30,465 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $311, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Lakeland, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,157 during the early years of their career.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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