2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Wisconsin
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Our analysis looked at 17 schools in Wisconsin to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Wisconsin
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Madison Area Technical College to be the best value school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in Wisconsin. Madison College is located in Madison, Wisconsin and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 181 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Madison College are $6,769 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,947 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Madison College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.
Madison College also made our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Wisconsin list, coming in at #1.
The excellent associate degree programs at Northcentral Technical College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Wisconsin. Located in Wausau, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 92 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
North Central Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,415 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,435 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at North Central Technical College. In fact, around 54% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Chippewa Valley Technical College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Wisconsin list. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 168 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CVTC are $6,683 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,208 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that CVTC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, CVTC is ranked #3 for overall quality in Wisconsin.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Wisconsin list. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a small public school located in Fennimore, Wisconsin that handed out 54 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southwest Tech are $6,683 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,718 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Southwest Tech does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Southwest Tech is ranked #4 for overall quality in Wisconsin.
The excellent associate degree programs at Western Technical College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Wisconsin. Western Technical College is a small public school situated in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It awarded 75 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Western Technical College are $6,687 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,870 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Western Technical College. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Gateway Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Wisconsin list. Gateway Technical College is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 114 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Gateway Technical College are $6,803 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,525 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Gateway Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Gateway Technical College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Wisconsin list.
Blackhawk Technical College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Janesville, Wisconsin, the small public school handed out 57 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
BTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,683 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,392 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at BTC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 60% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Moraine Park Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Fond du Lac, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 84 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Moraine Park Technical College are $6,683 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,836 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Moraine Park Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 12% took at least some of their classes online.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 84 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WCTC are $6,603 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,402 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WCTC. In 2019-2020 about 17% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking. NWTC is a public institution located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 195 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
NWTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,849 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,312 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at NWTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #11, Fox Valley Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. FVTC is a fairly large public school situated in Appleton, Wisconsin. It awarded 72 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at FVTC are $6,861 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,318 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that FVTC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 42% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Lakeshore Technical College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Wisconsin list. LTC is a public institution located in Cleveland, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
LTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,056 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,752 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
LTC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking. WITC is a small public school situated in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. It awarded 69 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
WITC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,960 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,285 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WITC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 88% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Mid-State Technical College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Mid-State Technical College is a small public school located in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin that handed out 53 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Mid-State undergraduate students pay an average of $6,351 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,908 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Mid-State. In 2019-2020 about 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Milwaukee Area Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 126 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MATC are $6,908 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $21,921 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that MATC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 84% took at least some of their classes online.
Nicolet Area Technical College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, the small public school handed out 22 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Nicolet Area Technical College are $6,852 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,239 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Nicolet Area Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.
Rasmussen University - Wisconsin came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Rasmussen University - Wisconsin is a private for-profit institution located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 113 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Wisconsin undergraduate students pay an average of $12,860 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $27,566 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Rasmussen University - Wisconsin. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Rasmussen University - Wisconsin not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Wisconsin list.
Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 17 schools only.
References
- 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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