Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for every BSN program near Kenosha
Kenosha nursing students operate in a corridor defined more by proximity than program density. Wedged between Milwaukee and Chicago, the city hosts three BSN-granting institutions: Carthage College, Herzing University, and a collaborative UW-Parkside pathway. Each draws applicants from both sides of the Illinois-Wisconsin border, but seat availability rarely keeps pace with local demand.
The resulting competition forces prospective nurses to weigh not just cost and NCLEX performance but also each program’s clinical ties to regional employers like Froedtert South and Advocate Aurora. Students must choose between a residential liberal arts experience and a career-focused, flexible schedule. Among nursing schools in Wisconsin, the best BSN in Kenosha isn’t a ranking winner; it’s the one that matches a student’s timeline, budget, and learning style.
The Kenosha area offers a mix of public and private nursing programs, from community college ADN pathways to nationally ranked BSN and direct-entry MSN options. All schools listed maintain accreditation and provide hands-on clinical training at regional healthcare facilities. Graduation rates shown are institution-wide figures; program-specific outcomes may differ.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | Gateway Technical College | Kenosha, WI | Kenosha residents seeking affordable ADN | ||
Gateway Technical College, located right in Kenosha, offers an affordable Associate Degree in Nursing with no entry wait-lists and multiple start dates. The program combines high-fidelity simulation labs with clinical placements at local healthcare facilities, and it includes an LPN bridge option. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX and benefit from strong local employer connections.
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| #2 | Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI | ~$25,000/yr (est.) | Aspiring RNs wanting direct freshman admission | |
Marquette University in Milwaukee offers a direct-admission BSN that guarantees clinical hours and includes honors tracks with a capstone project. The school also provides a Direct Entry MSN for career changers, with hybrid online/in-person formats and a reported 93.86% NCLEX pass rate. Its nursing program is nationally ranked and emphasizes holistic care and leadership.
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| #3 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | Milwaukee, WI | ~$21,000/yr (est.) | Students wanting guaranteed clinical progression | |
Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) provides both a traditional campus BSN and a 16-month accelerated second-degree track for career changers. The programs feature a 100% job placement rate for recent graduates, state-of-the-art simulation labs in the Ruehlow Nursing Complex, and a curriculum blending technology with patient care. CCNE-accredited and approved by the Wisconsin DSPS.
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| #4 | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | $22,000/yr | ||
Loyola University Chicago, located just south of Kenosha, offers a nationally ranked BSN with guaranteed direct entry and rolling admissions. The curriculum blends ethics, holistic care, and clinical rotations at Chicago-area hospitals, and the program boasts a 96.36% first-time NCLEX pass rate. Its simulation lab and clinical role transition capstone prepare students for real-world practice.
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| #5 | Carroll University | Waukesha, WI | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
Carroll University in Waukesha provides a CCNE-accredited BSN with a 100% NCLEX pass rate for 2023 graduates, plus an ADN pathway. The BSN includes 120 hours of clinical capstone and partnerships with Mayo Clinic and other top systems. Carroll also offers a 20-month hybrid Direct Entry MSN for non-nursing bachelor's holders.
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| #6 | College of Lake County | Grayslake, IL | |||
College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois, offers an ACEN-accredited ADN program with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio in theory and 5:1 in clinicals. The affordable program reports a 92% NCLEX pass rate and strong job placement. A clear BSN pathway and credit for prior learning make it accessible.
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| #7 | Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee, WI | |||
Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) offers an ACEN-accredited ADN with an option to earn practical nurse licensure after the fourth term, allowing students to work as LPNs while continuing. The program includes high-tech simulation, 8-week terms, and transfer agreements to four-year schools for BSN completion.
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| #8 | McHenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL | |||
McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, Illinois, provides an ACEN-accredited ADN program recognized as a top performing Illinois nursing school. The program features a 100% NCLEX pass rate and 91% job placement, with in-district tuition under $16,000 for the full program.
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| #9 | Concordia University-Wisconsin | Mequon, WI | $13,000/yr | ||
Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon offers a Christ-centered BSN with direct admission into the nursing major and no waitlists. Small class sizes and a 12:1 student-faculty ratio provide personalized mentorship. The school also offers a hybrid Direct Entry MSN for career changers, with CCNE accreditation.
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| #10 | Wisconsin Lutheran College | Milwaukee, WI | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee provides a CCNE-accredited BSN with direct freshman admission and a 93% first-time NCLEX pass rate. Students train in state-of-the-art simulation labs before completing clinicals at facilities like Froedtert Hospital. A 120-hour preceptorship caps the program, and graduates typically find employment within four months.
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Our ranking of Kenosha nursing schools is built on transparent, publicly available data that reflects affordability, student outcomes, and program quality. We avoid subjective judgments, instead relying on concrete metrics that matter to prospective nurses.
We source these metrics primarily from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. NCLEX pass rates and clinical quality are analyzed separately because they come from state nursing boards and program self-reports, which require their own context. This separation ensures that each dimension of quality gets the right level of scrutiny.
| Carthage College | Herzing University Kenosha | UW-Parkside BSN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Duration | 48 months | Not specified | Not specified |
| Total Credits Required | 130 credits | Not specified | Not specified |
| Minimum GPA Requirement | 2.75 | Not specified | Not specified |
| Institution Type | Private | Private | Public |
Every nursing program in Kenosha structures its clinical rotations a little differently. The most reliable way to see exactly where you'll train is to visit each school's nursing program page. Carthage College, Herzing University Kenosha, and UW-Parkside all publish overviews of their clinical partnerships, often within an "experiential learning" or "clinical experiences" section. If the published list feels incomplete, reach out to the nursing department directly. Admissions staff and program coordinators can share the most up-to-date placements, including any new agreements that may not yet appear online.
While partnerships evolve over time, several large health systems have long served as training grounds for local nursing students. Froedtert South, which operates the Froedtert Kenosha Hospital and other sites, offers exposure to acute care, emergency medicine, and surgical services. Advocate Aurora Health, including Aurora Medical Center Kenosha, opens doors to community-based care and specialty units. Students often also rotate through Veterans Affairs clinics, federally qualified health centers, and long-term care facilities, ensuring a broad spectrum of patient populations.
Not all clinical experiences are equal. When comparing schools, ask about the number of clinical hours built into the curriculum, the typical student-to-instructor ratio during rotations, and how simulation labs supplement bedside training. The Wisconsin Board of Nursing sets minimum requirements, but top programs exceed them. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, a trustworthy resource, can help you understand the job market your hands-on training prepares you for. For nursing education standards, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) are the go-to references.
Employers in Kenosha and across Wisconsin consistently value graduates who have cared for real patients in a variety of settings. A strong clinical foundation not only sharpens your skills but also boosts confidence for the NCLEX and your first nursing job. When researching programs, treat the clinical site list as a window into the kinds of patients, technologies, and mentors you'll encounter long before you earn your license.
Nursing education continues to emphasize baccalaureate preparation, with many hospitals seeking BSN-holding RNs to meet Magnet standards and improve patient outcomes. In Kenosha, however, the landscape for RN-to-BSN and accelerated BSN programs is more concentrated in the traditional pre-licensure pathway.
As of 2025-2026, Carthage College offers a campus-based pre-licensure BSN that spans four years. It does not provide an RN-to-BSN completion track or an accelerated second-degree BSN for career changers. ADN-prepared nurses and graduates with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree must therefore explore other institutions in the region.
Herzing University-Kenosha and UW-Parkside are the other primary nursing schools in the immediate area. While their programs may evolve, prospective students should verify directly whether currently accepting applications for RN-to-BSN or accelerated BSN formats. Many Wisconsin programs have adopted online or hybrid models that make balancing work and study realistic.
Students graduating from an ADN program like Gateway Technical College often ask about articulation into a local BSN. Transfer policies vary by school and term. Contact the target BSN program’s admissions office to learn how your prior nursing credits will be applied and whether any additional prerequisites remain.
RN-to-BSN programs across the country are designed with full-time nurses in mind. When evaluating Kenosha-area options, prioritize these practical questions: - Format: Is the program entirely online, or are there on-campus requirements? - Scheduling: Can you attend part-time while working 12-hour shifts? - Clinicals: Can clinical experiences be completed at your current employer?
With careful planning, many Kenosha-area RNs finish their BSN without leaving the workforce.
Find quick answers to some of the most common questions about nursing programs in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Whether you’re comparing BSN costs, NCLEX pass rates, or clinical training, this FAQ covers key details to help you plan your nursing education.
