Best RN Programs in Wisconsin for 2026

The UW-Madison School of Nursing offers four distinct undergraduate paths under one roof: a two-year Traditional BSN for pre-nursing and transfer students, a fully online RN-to-BSN (BSN@Home) for working ADN-holders, a one-year Accelerated BSN for career-changers who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree, and a School Nurse Certificate built in collaboration with the School of Education. The program reports a 96% NCLEX first-attempt pass rate and a U.S. News ranking of 8th nationally among undergraduate nursing programs (5th among public universities) for 2026, according to the school.

With a Hakia Score of 96.4, UW-Madison ranks first among Wisconsin BSN programs in this analysis. Admission is selective at a 45% admit rate. In-state tuition runs $10,006 versus $40,506 out-of-state, making residency a significant financial factor. The 90% graduation rate is the highest of any Wisconsin program reviewed here. The school reports that 84% of 2025 graduates had a job secured before completing the program, and the median base salary for 2025 graduates was $82,170 according to the school's own First Destination Survey. For national wage context, BLS OEWS data puts the registered nurse median at $97,550 annually.

This program fits students who want flexibility in how they enter nursing, a research-university clinical network, and a proven pipeline to major health systems including Mayo Clinic, Northwestern Medicine, and UW Health. The ABSN track is a strong option for second-degree students who need the fastest possible path to licensure without sacrificing institutional reputation.

Milwaukee School of Engineering offers a single, focused track: a Traditional BSN designed for first-time college students and transfers who want direct admission into nursing without a competitive pre-nursing waitlist. Students are accepted into the nursing major at enrollment. The school guarantees progression through the clinical course sequence for students who maintain full-time status and meet academic criteria. The program is delivered fully on campus and backed by CCNE accreditation and approval from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, as stated on the program page. The Ruehlow Nursing Complex provides technology-rich simulation and experiential learning facilities on-site.

MSOE earns a Hakia Score of 84.3, ranking second in Wisconsin here. The admit rate is 59%, making it moderately selective. Tuition is $48,240 and applies equally to all students regardless of residency, the highest sticker price of any program in this set. The 67% graduation rate sits below the Wisconsin public-school benchmarks in this group. The school reports 100% of its 2024-25 nursing graduates are employed, enrolled in graduate school, or enlisted in the military. MSOE's licensure disclosure confirms the program satisfies educational requirements for RN licensure in Wisconsin and most U.S. states and territories.

The program fits students who want guaranteed nursing major admission, a small-enrollment environment (total university enrollment of 2,953), and direct-entry clinical sequences. The tradeoff is straightforward: the certainty of day-one nursing admission and a tight-knit campus come at a private-school tuition with no in-state discount. Budget accordingly or factor in MSOE's scholarship and financial aid options.

Viterbo University in La Crosse offers a full-time, face-to-face Traditional BSN with several admission pathways, including direct admission. The program is CCNE-accredited and carries a four-year graduation guarantee. What distinguishes the structure is timing: clinical rotations begin in the second semester of sophomore year, earlier than most comparable programs. The program also features study abroad nursing experiences in locations including Belize, Guatemala, Alaska, and Spain, plus clinical placements with Gundersen Health System and Mayo Clinic Health System. A degree completion track (RN-to-BSN), a Direct-Entry MSN, and a DNP are available for nurses continuing beyond the BSN.

The program earns a Hakia Score of 82.3. At a 72% admit rate, Viterbo is the most accessible of the four programs reviewed here. Tuition is $33,500 with no in-state/out-of-state split, common for private institutions. The school states that merit scholarships for first-year students range from $10,000 to $16,000 per year, with an average annual award exceeding $16,600 when additional scholarships are included. The 68% graduation rate is close to MSOE's and reflects the challenges typical of nursing programs at smaller private schools. Career placement rates are described on the program page as typically 100%, and the school states graduates consistently perform above the national average on the NCLEX.

This program is a good fit for students who want a structured, mentored path at a smaller school (enrollment 2,094), with a clear timeline to graduation and strong regional clinical partnerships. The early clinical start and low faculty-to-student ratio in clinical settings (one faculty per six to eight students, per the school) are concrete differentiators worth weighing against the higher tuition relative to Wisconsin's public options.

UW-Eau Claire's nursing program offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) available at two campuses: the main Eau Claire campus and a Marshfield site, the latter operating in direct proximity to Marshfield Clinic Health System. The program is CCNE-accredited through December 31, 2031, and holds Wisconsin State Board of Nursing approval. Clinical training spans hospitals, short-term rehab, home care, community agencies, ambulatory facilities, schools, and nursing homes. The program has an explicit emergency preparedness component built into simulation experiences, including mass-casualty and public health emergency scenarios. All nurse practitioner faculty members are described as currently practicing clinicians.

UW-Eau Claire earns a Hakia Score of 81.5. It is the most open of the four programs, with an 82% admit rate. In-state tuition of $7,931 is the lowest in this group by a wide margin; out-of-state tuition rises to $17,517. The 64% graduation rate is the lowest here and is worth factoring in alongside the open admissions profile. The program's formal partnerships with Mayo Clinic and Marshfield Clinic create structured research and clinical pathways; a research agreement with Mayo Clinic is highlighted as providing student access to physician-led research. For national wage context, BLS OEWS reports a $97,550 national median for registered nurses.

UW-Eau Claire is the strongest value pick for Wisconsin residents who want an accredited BSN with major health system access at public-school cost. The Marshfield Site option adds geographic flexibility rarely available in a single nursing program. Students willing to work as CNAs while enrolled can leverage the program's local employer connections early, the page notes many students find CNA positions while still in school.

Concordia University Wisconsin offers a traditional BSN in Mequon built around direct admission to the nursing major. No separate nursing application, no waitlist. Students accepted to the university are accepted into the program. During the first year, they complete foundational sciences and general education; those who meet a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 2.75 science GPA move directly into nursing courses and clinicals in the sophomore year. The 121-credit program runs in small sections at a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and includes hands-on training in a simulation and skills lab that features an Anatomage Table, a full-body digital anatomy system. The program also offers an online RN-to-BSN pathway for working ADN holders.

Concordia is a private nonprofit with a single tuition rate of $34,950 regardless of residency. The school reports an average undergraduate financial aid award of $23,395, which narrows the net cost gap considerably for many students. The graduation rate stands at 68% and the admit rate at 78%, reflecting a moderately selective environment where most applicants gain entry but not all persist to graduation. The Hakia Score of 80.6 reflects a program with strong structural supports (direct admit, guaranteed progression) balanced against those completion numbers. It fits students who want a faith-integrated, liberal-arts nursing education and want certainty about their path into clinicals from day one. BLS OEWS data puts the national median for registered nurses at $97,550 per year.

Edgewood College in Madison offers a 120-credit BSN through its Henry Predolin College of Health Sciences. Students complete roughly 62 credits of general education, electives, and prerequisites before entering the four-semester, 58-credit nursing sequence. That sequence covers professional nursing coursework, clinical experiences, and simulation labs. Edgewood sits in Madison, which gives students access to a large healthcare market; the program reports partnerships with 80-plus community clinical sites. An online pathway is also available, making the program accessible to students who need schedule flexibility. The Dominican values of the institution are woven into the curriculum, particularly in courses focused on social justice and culturally competent care.

Edgewood is a private nonprofit with a flat tuition of $35,860 regardless of residency. The graduation rate is 60% and the admit rate is 76%, meaning selectivity is moderate but persistence to graduation is a real variable to weigh. The program's standout data point, as reported on its program page, is a 100% NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for the fall 2024 cohort, well above the national average. The 7:1 clinical faculty-to-student ratio is unusually low, which translates to more direct clinical supervision. The Hakia Score of 78 reflects solid program outcomes tempered by the completion rate. This program fits students who prioritize NCLEX preparation and close clinical mentorship over cost minimization. The BLS national median wage for registered nurses is $97,550 per year.

Maranatha Baptist University in Watertown offers a four-year BSN grounded in a biblical worldview. The program is CCNE-accredited and structured across eight semesters that move from foundational sciences and general education in years one and two to intensive clinical nursing courses in years three and four. Students complete more than 1,000 hours of clinical experience across a range of settings including rural hospitals, city hospitals, critical care units, community clinics, home health care, and women's health clinics. Senior students can elect a medical missions practicum through Operation Renewed Hope, with recent destinations including Kosovo, Uganda, and Peru. Year one coursework can be taken online, giving incoming students some scheduling flexibility before clinical rotations begin.

Maranatha is the most affordable private option among Wisconsin's top-ranked BSN programs, with tuition at $20,040 for all students. With an enrollment of 960, it operates at a small scale that supports close faculty-student relationships. The admit rate is 72% and the graduation rate is 64%. The program page claims a #1 Wisconsin ranking and a 100% NCLEX ultimate pass rate; both are the school's own representations and should be evaluated alongside the Hakia Score of 75.8. It is the right fit for students who want a faith-centered education, an affordable private-school tuition, and a curriculum that explicitly prepares graduates for both domestic clinical work and international missions nursing. BLS OEWS data places the national registered nurse median at $97,550 per year.

Herzing University Kenosha offers a three-year, 120-credit pre-licensure BSN that is among the most affordable private BSN programs in Wisconsin. The program is CCNE-accredited and delivered in a hybrid format: on-campus instruction in Kenosha combined with some online coursework. The curriculum covers family nursing, medical-surgical nursing, nursing informatics, and health assessment, among other core areas. Herzing accepts transfers of up to 90 approved credits, which can shorten time to degree substantially for students with prior college work. Bridge pathways are available for licensed practical nurses, paramedics, military medics, cardiovascular techs, and respiratory techs. Rolling admissions means there are no hard application deadlines. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN in Wisconsin.

At $12,360 tuition for all students, Herzing Kenosha is the lowest-cost option among this group of top Wisconsin BSN programs. The tradeoff is selectivity: the admit rate is 92%, the highest in this cohort, and the school's small enrollment of 526 reflects a limited institutional footprint. The graduation rate is 72%, the strongest in this group, suggesting that students who enroll tend to finish. The Hakia Score of 74.7 is anchored primarily by cost accessibility and completion. Dual-credit graduate coursework toward an MSN is available for students planning to advance. The BLS national median for registered nurses is $97,550 per year.

Carthage College offers a traditional four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Its standout feature is freshman direct-entry admission: high school seniors who meet pre-established criteria are guaranteed a spot in the BSN program before they set foot on campus, skipping the competitive sophomore application that most nursing programs require. The curriculum is grounded in liberal arts and sciences, with clinical rotations beginning sophomore year, a full year earlier than most programs. Carthage works with more than 50 clinical partners including Advocate Aurora Health, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert South, and the Veterans' Administration Hospital of Milwaukee. Simulation training takes place across two dedicated facilities: the Lentz Hall Nursing Education Center, with high-fidelity patient rooms and VR simulation, and the Duncan Family Nursing Education Center, with 12 low-fidelity bays and debriefing rooms.

Carthage carries a Hakia Score of 74.4, placing it ninth among Wisconsin BSN programs in this ranking. The school admits 87% of applicants, making it one of the more accessible private programs in the state. Its 64% graduation rate is a real number to weigh: roughly one in three students who start do not finish. Tuition runs $38,750 per year for all students, private nonprofit, no in-state discount. One full-tuition nursing scholarship is available annually for an incoming BSN student. Total enrollment across the college is 2,844. The Aspire Program career development sequence supports job placement; the school reports 100% placement for 2024 nursing graduates, with hiring partners including Mayo Clinic, Lurie Children's Hospital, and Northwestern Medicine.

National BLS data puts the median annual wage for registered nurses at $97,550, context for evaluating whether Carthage's $38,750 annual tuition fits your return-on-investment math. The program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN. Prospective students should confirm current accreditation status directly with CCNE or ACEN, as the scraped page references accreditation resources without specifying the accrediting body. The direct-entry option and early clinical start make this program worth serious consideration for motivated high school seniors who want certainty.

Wisconsin Lutheran College offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at its Milwaukee campus, a small private nonprofit with total enrollment of 1,027 students. The 120-credit BSN program is structured as a traditional four-year degree with direct admission available to incoming first-year freshmen who meet the academic progression criteria, including a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA in the freshman year and a minimum C in all required nursing courses. Students must also complete a Certified Nursing Assistant certification before taking sophomore-level courses. The program's location is a concrete advantage: Froedtert Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center, and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin sit directly across the street from campus. Clinical experiences span adult health, mental health, pediatrics, obstetrics, inpatient rehab, assisted living, long-term care, and occupational health. A 120-hour preceptorship in the final semester bridges the transition from student to working nurse. An international or community-based population health immersion is also built into the curriculum.

WLC earns a Hakia Score of 74.0, ranking it tenth among Wisconsin BSN programs. The school admits 78% of applicants, slightly more selective than Carthage, and posts a 64% graduation rate. Tuition is $35,550 per year for all students, with no in-state or out-of-state distinction. The program is CCNE-accredited (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001), which the school states explicitly on its program page. The Sharon A. Schoeneck Nursing Lab, renovated in 2018, provides moderate- and high-fidelity human patient simulators across the lifespan, with VALT audiovisual capture for real-time observation and debriefs.

The 93% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over the past three years, as reported by WLC, is the strongest single data point separating this program from others at a similar Hakia Score tier. Graduates consistently hold positions in emergency rooms, ICUs, trauma units, OB-GYN, and oncology at facilities including Froedtert Hospital, Aurora St. Luke's, Aurora Sinai, and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. The BLS national median wage for registered nurses is $97,550 per year. At $35,550 annual tuition, WLC is $3,200 per year less expensive than Carthage, a real difference over four years, and the NCLEX data gives it an edge for students prioritizing licensure outcomes.