Compare tuition, NCLEX outcomes, and BSN pathways at Milwaukee's highest-ranked nursing programs.
Which Milwaukee BSN programs translate clinical rotations into job offers at Froedtert Health, Advocate Aurora Health, and Children's Wisconsin? The city's three anchor health systems collectively employ tens of thousands of nurses and increasingly expect a Bachelor of Science in Nursing for new hires.
Prospective students can pursue a traditional four-year BSN, an accelerated second-degree track, or an RN-to-BSN bridge for working nurses.
With registered nurses in the Milwaukee metro earning a median $85,181 annually, above the national figure, the return on a well-chosen program is substantial. But the best placements go to graduates whose schools provide sustained, hands-on exposure inside the region's busiest facilities.
Milwaukee's nursing education landscape is anchored by two standout BSN programs at Marquette University and the Milwaukee School of Engineering, both tightly integrated with the city's major health systems. Beyond the city center, a handful of Wisconsin technical colleges and private universities serve as strong feeders for the region's healthcare employers. This ranking compares BSN programs based on affordability, student outcomes, and clinical opportunities, helping you find the right fit for your nursing career.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI | ~$31,000/yr (est.) | Nursing students prioritizing urban health immersion | |
Marquette University's College of Nursing offers a direct-admission BSN and a Direct Entry MSN, both integrated with Milwaukee's top health systems for clinical experiences. The program consistently posts NCLEX pass rates above state and national averages, and graduates enter the local workforce with strong earnings. With a focus on urban and underserved community health, Marquette anchors its curriculum in Milwaukee's healthcare landscape.
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| #2 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | Milwaukee, WI | ~$22,000/yr (est.) | Second-degree students seeking a fast, hands-on BSN | |
Milwaukee School of Engineering combines a technology-driven approach with extensive clinical placements at Milwaukee-area hospitals, including Froedtert and Children's Wisconsin. The BSN program offers traditional and accelerated tracks, both leading to consistently high NCLEX results and strong employment outcomes. MSOE's downtown campus provides direct access to city-center clinical experiences.
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| #3 | Moraine Park Technical College | Fond du Lac, WI | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | LPN hopefuls wanting a bridge to RN | |
Moraine Park Technical College, located within commuting range of the greater Milwaukee area, provides an Associate Degree in Nursing with a practical nursing exit option. The program boasts a 96% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate and prepares graduates for both LPN and RN licensure. Its small class sizes and focused curriculum make it a practical choice for students in southeastern Wisconsin.
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| #4 | Lakeshore Technical College | Cleveland, WI | $10,000/yr (net price) | ||
Lakeshore Technical College's Nursing-Associate Degree program demonstrates strong outcomes, with recent cohorts achieving 100% NCLEX-RN pass rates. Students train in the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Center for Healthcare Excellence, gaining hands-on skills applicable to regional health employers. The affordable program offers a direct path to RN licensure.
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| #5 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | Fennimore, WI | $13,000/yr | ||
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College offers a hybrid Associate Degree Nursing program with a strong record of NCLEX-RN success and employment outcomes. The program uses advanced simulation technology and requires 65 credits, blending online coursework with on-site clinicals. It serves students in the southwestern part of the state.
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| #6 | Northwood Technical College | Rice Lake, WI | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Northwood Technical College provides multiple pathways to an associate degree in nursing, including full-time, part-time, and LPN-to-ADN options. With low tuition and a strong NCLEX-RN record, the program is a cost-effective entry point into registered nursing for students in northwestern Wisconsin.
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| #7 | Mid-State Technical College | Wisconsin Rapids, WI | $11,000/yr | ||
Mid-State Technical College's Associate Degree Nursing program features a hybrid format and recently achieved a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate. The two-year curriculum integrates science, leadership, and clinical practice, preparing graduates for roles across the state's healthcare facilities.
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| #8 | Maranatha Baptist University | Watertown, WI | $26,000/yr | ||
Maranatha Baptist University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program integrates clinical excellence with a biblical worldview. Students complete over 1,000 hours of hands-on experience and graduate with strong NCLEX performance, often within a faith-based, close-knit community.
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| #9 | Bellin College | Green Bay, WI | ~$37,000/yr (est.) | ||
Bellin College in Green Bay offers a BSN program known for its deep clinical integration with Bellin Health and other northeast Wisconsin providers. The curriculum includes three distinct pathways to accommodate diverse student timelines, and graduates achieve high NCLEX pass rates and solid earnings.
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| #10 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay, WI | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College's ACEN-accredited Associate Degree Nursing program combines classroom, lab, and clinical experiences, yielding a job placement rate exceeding 90% within six months. The program is a strong option for students seeking immediate employment in the Green Bay area and beyond.
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BSN programs in Milwaukee come in three main formats: traditional four-year degrees, accelerated options for career changers, and RN-to-BSN completion programs for working nurses. The table below outlines the typical structure and requirements for each pathway. For current details, always confirm with the school you're considering.
The cost of earning a nursing degree in Milwaukee varies widely depending on whether you choose a public or private institution. While the table below provides a snapshot of in-state and out-of-state tuition and net price for associate degree programs at Wisconsin technical colleges, four-year BSN programs at public universities like UW-Milwaukee and private schools such as Marquette, Mount Mary, and Alverno typically carry higher sticker prices, though institutional aid can narrow the gap. Net price figures represent the average amount students pay after financial aid; your individual cost will depend on your financial circumstances and eligibility for scholarships and grants.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicolet Area Technical College | $4,793 | $7,066 | $8,255 |
| Northwood Technical College | $4,926 | $7,169 | $8,989 |
| Moraine Park Technical College | $4,819 | $7,084 | $9,268 |
| Blackhawk Technical College | $4,267 | $6,061 | $9,330 |
| Lakeshore Technical College | $4,844 | $7,087 | $9,653 |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | $4,960 | $7,233 | $9,918 |
| Northcentral Technical College | $4,889 | $7,132 | $10,303 |
| Mid-State Technical College | $5,002 | $7,171 | $10,873 |
| Waukesha County Technical College | $4,803 | $7,046 | $11,101 |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | $4,844 | $7,087 | $12,285 |
NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates provide the clearest window into a BSN program's educational quality. These rates measure the percentage of graduates who pass the national licensure exam on their first attempt, a standard that the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) re-sets periodically. In 2025, the first-time pass rate for U.S.-educated candidates was 86.7%, based on NCLEX pass rates from Kaplan. For Milwaukee students, comparing a program's rate against that national benchmark offers immediate insight into how well the curriculum aligns with real-world nursing competencies.
A program with consistently high pass rates demonstrates that its faculty, clinical placements, and exam preparation strategies work. Conversely, a program with rates that dip below the 85% threshold, especially over multiple years, may signal gaps in content coverage or student support. State boards of nursing monitor these metrics closely; a school that falls too far below the benchmark risks losing accreditation or program approval.
The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) compiles annual NCLEX pass-rate reports for all nursing schools in Wisconsin.1 These PDFs detail the number of graduates tested, the number who passed, and the first-time pass rate for each institution. However, the reporting cycle includes a processing lag: the 2024 rates have not yet been released as of this writing. The most recent full-year statistics available through DSPS are from 2023.
Because the NCLEX undergoes periodic difficulty adjustments, most notably the 2023 update to the Next Generation NCLEX, year-over-year comparisons require nuance. It is wise to examine two to three years of pass-rate data for any program you are considering. A single off-year could reflect a cohort-specific dip rather than a systemic problem, but a multi-year decline warrants caution.
For the 2023 testing cycle, several Milwaukee-area BSN programs reported pass rates that placed them comfortably above the national average. All five commonly cited programs, UW-Milwaukee, Marquette University, Alverno College, Mount Mary University, and Concordia University Wisconsin, have historically posted rates ranging from the mid-80s to the high 90s. Exact figures are accessible through the DSPS website, and the table below indicates data availability.
| Program | 2023 Pass Rate | 2024 Pass Rate | Long-term Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| UW-Milwaukee | Available from DSPS | Pending | Historically above national average |
| Marquette University | Available from DSPS | Pending | Historically strong |
| Alverno College | Available from DSPS | Pending | Check DSPS for details |
| Mount Mary University | Available from DSPS | Pending | Check DSPS for details |
| Concordia University Wisconsin | Available from DSPS | Pending | Check DSPS for details |
Prospective students should verify the latest pass rates directly on the Wisconsin DSPS website before making enrollment decisions. Even among historically high-performing schools, the licensing exam evolves, and a program's most recent outcomes matter most.
Nursing education in Milwaukee continues to adapt, with programs expanding flexible pathways and strengthening ties to the region’s major healthcare employers.
Accreditation is non-negotiable. All reputable BSN programs in Milwaukee hold national accreditation, typically from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). UW-Milwaukee, Marquette University, and Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) are CCNE-accredited, ensuring that graduates meet high standards for licensure and employment. While ACEN accreditation is more common for associate-degree programs, CCNE is the benchmark for BSN-level preparation.
Prerequisite requirements vary. UW-Milwaukee requires a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 2.75 in science courses, with no individual prerequisite grade below a C. Applicants must complete specific courses in biology, anatomy & physiology, chemistry, microbiology, psychology, sociology, and English composition before admission. More competitive programs like Marquette and MSOE may expect higher GPAs; MSOE’s 58.9% admissions rate signals a selective process, while Marquette’s 81.3% rate reflects its direct-entry model with strong support systems.
Timelines matter. UW-Milwaukee has fixed deadlines: January 2 for fall entry and July 24 for spring entry. Missing these means a year’s delay. MSOE and Marquette typically use rolling admissions but fill quickly, early application is wise. Selective programs like Marquette (83.2% graduation rate) and MSOE report strong outcomes; their high retention rates suggest that admitted students are well-prepared and well-supported.
UW-Milwaukee’s BSN program is a solid choice, particularly for Wisconsin residents seeking an affordable public option. It is CCNE-accredited and offered through a consortium with UW-Parkside, which expands resources and clinical placement options. While program-level earnings data for UWM’s nursing graduates is not yet published, the university’s overall reputation and location in Wisconsin’s largest healthcare hub give grads direct access to RN job pipelines. Admissions are moderately selective, meeting the minimum GPA and prerequisite requirements does not guarantee entry, but the clear criteria help applicants self-assess.
Where you train often influences where you work. Major Milwaukee health systems, Froedtert, Aurora Health Care, Ascension Wisconsin, and Children’s Wisconsin, partner with area nursing schools for clinical rotations. These relationships matter: hands-on experience at a recognized hospital builds skills and frequently leads to job offers after graduation. UW-Milwaukee, Marquette, and MSOE all emphasize extensive clinical hours, and their Milwaukee locations ensure that students can rotate through multiple high-acuity settings. When comparing programs, ask about the variety and timing of clinical placements, they are the launchpad for your nursing career.
Registered nurses in the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis metro area earn a competitive median annual salary of $85,181, roughly $4,000 above the national median of $81,220. The BLS projects 5% job growth for RNs nationally between 2024 and 2034, and with over 22,000 RN jobs already in the metro, Milwaukee offers a strong market for new BSN graduates. Program-specific earnings data for nursing graduates is not yet available, but these occupation-wide figures provide a reliable benchmark.
Still have questions about nursing programs in Milwaukee? Below, we answer the most common inquiries from prospective students, drawing on the data and insights explored throughout this guide.
Milwaukee’s nursing programs combine access to major health systems with a range of public and private degree options. From research-embedded BSN pathways at Marquette and MSOE to affordable ADN-to-BSN bridge programs at area technical colleges, students can find a route that fits their timeline and budget.
Use the rankings, NCLEX pass rates, tuition comparisons, and earnings data above to build a shortlist aligned with your career goals, whether you’re pursuing an accelerated BSN, a traditional four-year degree, or an RN-to-BSN. The right program is the one that matches your situation and where Milwaukee healthcare employers are already looking for talent.
