Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, program length, and outcomes for Madison-area practical nursing schools.
Earning an LPN license in Wisconsin requires completing a board-approved practical nursing program, and in Madison, seven distinct programs compete for a seat in your schedule. While tuition gaps and NCLEX pass rates often dominate the decision, the recession-resistant nature of local healthcare hiring makes the upfront investment unusually predictable. Madison’s major health systems, including UW Health and SSM Health, draw heavily from these programs, though hiring patterns skew toward graduates of the highest-performing cohorts.
Selecting an LPN program is a significant decision. We evaluated schools within a reasonable radius of Madison that offer practical nursing credentials, focusing on factors like net price, graduation rates, and NCLEX-PN outcomes. The following programs stand out for their quality and accessibility to Wisconsin residents.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | Oshkosh, WI | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | Professionals planning a BSN progression | |
The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh provides a hybrid Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing through a distinctive 1+2+1 collaboration with Fox Valley Technical College. Students can earn a technical diploma, associate degree, and bachelor's degree in a streamlined pathway. The program serves Wisconsin residents with in-state tuition and offers multiple start dates, online options, and strong NCLEX performance.
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| #2 | Rasmussen University-Wisconsin | Green Bay, WI | Adults seeking an accelerated hybrid program | ||
Rasmussen University-Wisconsin offers an accelerated Practical Nursing Diploma that can be completed in as few as 12 months. The program blends online coursework with in-person clinical experiences, providing flexibility for adult learners. With eight start dates per year and no prerequisite coursework, it enables a quick entry into nursing. The Green Bay campus location connects students to healthcare employers across the state.
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| #3 | Lakeshore Technical College | Cleveland, WI | $10,000/yr (net price) | Working adults needing evening coursework | |
Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, Wisconsin, delivers a part-time evening Practical Nursing program tailored for working students. The campus-based curriculum spans five terms and 31 credits, with clinical training at the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Center for Health Care Excellence. The program boasts an NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate of 97.4%, among the highest in the state, and maintains ACEN accreditation.
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| #4 | Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa | Wauwatosa, WI | $15,000/yr (net price) | ||
Bryant & Stratton College in Wauwatosa provides a 12-month Practical Nursing Diploma with a 41-credit campus-based format. The program is approved by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing and features clinical partnerships with HCA Hospitals and Sentara Healthcare. Graduates can transfer credits toward an associate nursing degree, offering a clear RN pathway.
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| #5 | Western Technical College | La Crosse, WI | $5,000 – $7,000/yr | ||
Western Technical College in La Crosse offers a practical nursing program with a strong focus on evidence-based, patient-centered care. The program holds Wisconsin Board of Nursing approval and consistently reports high NCLEX-PN pass rates. Graduates benefit from the college's connections within the Wisconsin Technical College System for further education.
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| #6 | Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton, WI | $5,000 – $7,000/yr | ||
Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton provides an ACEN-accredited Practical Nursing technical diploma in a full-time, campus-based format. The 30-credit program is high-demand with limited spots, encouraging early application. It offers a clear pathway to LPN licensure and features a laptop requirement for core courses.
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| #7 | Chippewa Valley Technical College | Eau Claire, WI | $12,000/yr (net price) | ||
Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire offers a one-year face-to-face Practical Nursing program with exceptional outcomes. The 32-credit program reports a 100% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate and 86% job placement rate. Graduates earn an average starting salary of $56,550, and the program is ACEN accredited.
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What factors make one Madison LPN program rank higher than another? Our ranking weighs four data points that together signal affordability, student success, and earnings potential. Keep in mind that every student's situation is unique, but these benchmarks offer a consistent, side-by-side snapshot.
We start with the average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price. Because federal data reports this figure by income level and institution type, it is a sector-conditional average: your own cost will depend on your eligibility for aid. Still, a lower net price means less upfront burden and less debt down the road.
The graduation rate reflects full-time, first-time students across all programs at the school, not just the LPN track. While it does not isolate nursing completion, it signals whether the institution supports students to the finish line. A stronger overall graduation rate suggests better advising, resources, and teaching quality.
Where available, we incorporate specific earnings for LPN graduates from federal outcome data. These figures measure early-career pay for students who completed the program. High earnings relative to local cost of living suggest the program prepares graduates for well-paying roles.
We also consider the typical debt load of program completers. Pairing median debt with earnings lets us calculate a simple return-on-investment (ROI) ratio: essentially, how quickly a graduate could recoup their educational investment. Programs with lower debt and higher earnings rise to the top.
LPN students in Madison can tap Wisconsin-specific aid like the Nursing Student Loan Program, which offers loan forgiveness for service, along with scholarships from the Wisconsin League for Nursing. Federal Pell Grants and work-study are also available to those who file the FAFSA, though some large national scholarships like the HRSA Nurse Corps typically exclude entry-level LPN programs.
| Financial Aid Program | Maximum Annual Award | Eligibility | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Nursing Student Loan Program | $3,000 (2025-26) | Wisconsin resident, enrolled at least half-time in an eligible LPN or RN program | Forgivable loan: 25% forgiven per year up to 50% maximum; 5% interest on remaining balance; lifetime maximum $15,000 |
| Wisconsin League for Nursing Scholarships | Varies | Wisconsin residents enrolled in accredited nursing programs (including LPN) | Multiple scholarships available; amounts and criteria vary by award |
In a practical nursing program, the total time from enrollment to eligibility for the NCLEX-PN exam includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training. Most full-time students complete an LPN certificate in 12 to 18 months, though exact lengths depend on the institution and any LPN prerequisites you transfer.
Madison-area LPN programs typically pack 40 to 50 credit hours into three or four semesters. For instance, Madison College’s practical nursing diploma requires a full-time commitment of roughly 12 months, including summer sessions. Herzing University offers a similar fast-track approach, common among fastest LPN programs. Always verify current credit totals on the school’s nursing program page, as curricula change.
Wisconsin’s Board of Nursing sets minimum clinical hours, usually around 500 to 700 hours. These hours are built into the program and must be completed at approved partner sites. Clinical rotations expose you to direct patient care in real healthcare environments, which is essential for licensure.
If you need a more flexible pace, both Madison College and Herzing may offer part-time or evening tracks. These extend the total length, often to 24 months or longer, but allow you to work while enrolled. Contact the nursing admissions office directly to confirm current availability.
During clinical rotations, you’ll likely train at well-known Dane County facilities, including UW Health hospitals, UnityPoint Health, Meriter, and SSM Health St. Mary’s. Some programs also place students in long-term care settings such as Oakwood Village or Capitol Lakes. The exact rotation schedule is determined by your program coordinator.
Recent NCLEX-PN data from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) shows how Madison's LPN programs compare. While one MATC pathway achieved a 94% first-time pass rate in 2025, the standalone PN track posted an 89% rate, both above the national average for U.S.-educated first-time test-takers.
Deciding whether LPN programs make financial sense starts with understanding what you’ll actually earn. For aspiring nurses in Madison, the most useful salary benchmark comes from statewide average LPN salaries, since the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish a separate figure for the Madison metro area.2
Wisconsin’s median annual wage for LPNs is $55,3101. That puts typical earnings in the middle of the pack nationally, competitive but not at the very top. The range is wide: the lowest 10% of LPNs earn about $47,960, while the highest 10% pull in $74,880.1 Most fall between $50,560 (25th percentile) and $66,400 (75th percentile).1
In the Madison area, hospitals and continuing care retirement communities tend to offer the highest LPN wages, followed closely by skilled nursing facilities. Home health agencies and assisted living centers pay somewhat less on average but often provide more flexible schedules. The employer mix means you can often boost your income by gaining experience and specializing in high-demand clinical areas.
Direct earnings data for recent LPN program completers isn’t yet available from federal sources, but looking at all graduates of the schools on our list provides a helpful proxy. Institution-wide median earnings ten years after starting range from around $47,000 at some technical colleges to over $55,000 at others, closely tracking or exceeding the statewide LPN median. That suggests graduates from these programs are well positioned to earn at or above the typical LPN wage once established in their careers.
What comes after you earn your LPN license in Madison? The practical nursing credential opens doors to immediate employment and sets the stage for advanced nursing roles through bridge programs right here in the area.
Madison College offers an LPN to ADN completion track that totals 65 credits over roughly 24 months, delivered in a hybrid format at Truax, Reedsburg, and Watertown locations.1 Admission is competitive, with a January 15 deadline for spring entry and a waitlist in effect.2 Other Wisconsin Technical College System schools, including Fox Valley, Milwaukee Area, and Waukesha County Technical Colleges, also provide LPN-to-ADN progression paths.3 Herzing University’s Madison campus features a BSN Bridge for practical nurses, requiring 120 total credits.4 (The UW, Madison Accelerated BSN is designed for degree-holders without a nursing background and is not an LPN bridge.)5 For a statewide directory, explore LPN programs in Wisconsin.
New LPNs in the Madison area typically find positions in long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, hospital medical-surgical units, and home health agencies. These settings offer steady demand and flexible scheduling.
Wisconsin LPNs renew their license every two years through the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) and complete any continuing education requirements set by the board. Staying current ensures uninterrupted practice as you gain experience or work toward an RN bridge.
Choosing an LPN program raises many practical questions about cost, time, and career outcomes. Below we answer the most common questions from prospective nursing students in the Madison area, drawing on current program information and employment data.
