Compare accredited BSN programs, tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and admissions requirements near Brookfield.
More than 21,000 registered nurses work in the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis metropolitan area, and demand is projected to rise as the region’s population ages. Brookfield’s location just west of Milwaukee puts major teaching hospitals, including Froedtert Hospital and the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, within a short commute.
Pre-licensure BSN tracks, accelerated second-degree programs, and flexible RN-to-BSN pathways are offered by many of the best nursing schools in Wisconsin within 75 miles of the city, with many delivering evening or online formats to accommodate working students.
The best choice often hinges on the balance between total cost, clinical placement reliability, and the licensure exam outcomes that state employers track closely.
Our ranking weighs affordability, program quality, and career outcomes to help you find the right fit. Schools are assessed on net price, graduation rates, and median earnings, with extra emphasis on clinical access and NCLEX performance for programs within commuting distance of Brookfield.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI | ~$31,000/yr (est.) | Aspiring RNs wanting Milwaukee clinicals | |
Marquette University offers a direct-admit BSN program on its Milwaukee campus, giving Brookfield students immediate access to a top-tier nursing education. With clinical placements at major Milwaukee health systems and a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate in recent years, it is a standout choice. In addition to the traditional four-year BSN, career changers can pursue a hybrid Direct Entry MSN, making this a premier option for aspiring RNs in southeast Wisconsin.
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| #2 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | Milwaukee, WI | ~$22,000/yr (est.) | Career changers needing accelerated path | |
Milwaukee School of Engineering delivers a technology-rich BSN experience just a short commute from Brookfield. The traditional track is full-time and campus-based, while an accelerated second-degree option compresses the curriculum into 16 months for career changers. Both emphasize clinical and simulation training, and graduates benefit from MSOE's strong ties to Milwaukee-area hospitals, reflected in a 100% NCLEX pass rate for the accelerated track.
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| #3 | Northwood Technical College | Rice Lake, WI | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | Wisconsin students prioritizing low tuition | |
Northwood Technical College provides an affordable path to RN licensure through its hybrid ADN program. With multiple campuses and a strong focus on holistic care, Northwood Tech offers full-time, part-time, and LPN-to-ADN options, all accredited by ACEN. The low net price and manageable graduate debt make it an excellent value for Wisconsin residents, though its northern Wisconsin location may require relocation or long commutes for Brookfield students.
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| #4 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | Fennimore, WI | $13,000/yr | ||
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College's ADN program is a hybrid, 65-credit pathway that prioritizes hands-on training with high-fidelity simulators. Located in Fennimore, it is one of the more distant options for Brookfield residents but stands out for its low graduate debt and solid NCLEX pass rates. The program emphasizes critical thinking and clinical judgment, aligning with rural and statewide workforce needs.
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| #5 | Moraine Park Technical College | Fond du Lac, WI | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | ||
Moraine Park Technical College offers a campus-based ADN program with a practical nursing exit point, allowing students to become LPNs partway through. With a 96% NCLEX pass rate and ACEN accreditation, it delivers strong outcomes for its east-central Wisconsin district. The program's affordability and median graduate debt under $9,000 make it a smart choice for those willing to commute from Brookfield.
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| #6 | Mid-State Technical College | Wisconsin Rapids, WI | $11,000/yr | ||
Mid-State Technical College's hybrid ADN blends science, social sciences, and nursing skills across multiple campuses including Wisconsin Rapids. Its ACEN accreditation and 100% recent NCLEX pass rate underscore program quality. With a net price under $11,000, it is accessible for budget-conscious students, though the central Wisconsin location may be less convenient for daily commuting from Brookfield.
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| #7 | Maranatha Baptist University | Watertown, WI | $26,000/yr | ||
Maranatha Baptist University's BSN is a faith-integrated, on-campus program in Watertown that requires over 1,000 clinical hours. With a 100% NCLEX pass rate in recent years and a commitment to a biblical worldview, it appeals to students seeking a Christian nursing education. The program's distance from Brookfield is manageable but not as proximate as Milwaukee-based schools.
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| #8 | Lakeshore Technical College | Cleveland, WI | $10,000/yr (net price) | ||
Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland offers a campus-based ADN with a strong track record: 100% of spring 2024 graduates passed the NCLEX. The program uses a state-of-the-art healthcare training center and maintains an affordable total cost under $14,000. While located north of Milwaukee along the Lake Michigan shoreline, it remains within reach for committed Brookfield students.
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| #9 | Bellin College | Green Bay, WI | ~$37,000/yr (est.) | ||
Bellin College in Green Bay provides a BSN with multiple completion paths including a 15-month fast-track for those with a prior degree. The program is tightly integrated with Bellin Health and emphasizes leadership and multiple nursing specialties. While highly regarded statewide, its northeast Wisconsin location makes it a less practical daily commute from Brookfield compared to Milwaukee-area options.
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| #10 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay, WI | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College's ADN program is campus-based in Green Bay and features ACEN accreditation with a high job placement rate. The program blends classroom, lab, and clinical work, and over 90% of graduates find employment within six months. Its distance from Brookfield limits commuting feasibility, but the program's outcomes are solid for those open to relocation.
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Brookfield-area students have access to several affordable technical college options that offer associate degree nursing programs, which can serve as an economical first step toward a BSN. The table below compares in-state and out-of-state tuition alongside the average net price after financial aid for each ranked school. Net price is an institution-wide average, so your individual cost may differ based on grant and scholarship eligibility.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Avg 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 | $4,747 | $6,803 | $9,330 |
| Lakeshore Technical College | $4,844 | $7,087 | $9,653 |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | $4,960 | $7,203 | $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 |
Choosing a nursing program means balancing exam readiness with the likelihood you’ll actually graduate. While NCLEX pass rates show how well a program prepares students for licensure, graduation rates reveal whether that preparation pays off with a diploma.
BSN programs in the Brookfield area deliver strong first-time NCLEX-RN results. Marquette University and Wisconsin Lutheran College each posted a perfect 100% pass rate (2024 and 2022, respectively). Carroll University, Marian University, and UW-Oshkosh all reported 96% or higher. UW-Madison reached 95%, while Herzing University’s Brookfield/Kenosha campus and Milwaukee School of Engineering both achieved 92%. Even programs below the state average, such as UW-Milwaukee (86%) and Mount Mary University (83%), exceed the national baseline.
The national first-time NCLEX pass rate for all RN candidates was 87.5% in 2025. Wisconsin’s average for BSN programs is 92 to 93 percent. A rate above 90% suggests a rigorous, effective curriculum. When a program’s rate sits below 85%, explore its remediation policies and clinical preparation.
Passing the NCLEX is only half the story. Overall graduation rates show whether students complete their degrees. Among four-year schools near Brookfield, Marquette reports an 83% graduation rate, MSOE around 67%, and Maranatha Baptist and Bellin College near 63%. These institution-wide figures give a rough proxy for student support and momentum. Ask programs for nursing-specific graduation rates to gauge their ability to move students from enrollment to practice.
Your choice between a pre-licensure BSN and an RN-to-BSN depends on where you are in your nursing career. If you are starting fresh, a pre-licensure BSN provides the full foundation and leads to initial licensure. Current RNs with an associate degree can accelerate their credentials through an RN-to-BSN completion, often while working.
| Comparison Point | Pre-Licensure BSN | RN-to-BSN |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Duration | 4 years (48 months) | 12-24 months |
| Credit Requirements | 120-128 credits | 30-45 credits |
| Clinical Hours | 600-900 hours | Minimal |
| Delivery Format | On-campus | Online or hybrid |
| Prerequisite Degree | High school diploma or equivalent | Associate degree or diploma in nursing |
| Minimum GPA | 2.75-3.0 | 2.5 |
| Best for | Students with no prior nursing education | Licensed RNs seeking a bachelor's for career advancement |
| Brookfield-Area Examples | Marquette University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Bellin College | Online RN-to-BSN programs are offered by many Wisconsin public universities, including several within commuting distance |
Nursing graduates in the Brookfield area enter a job market with strong demand and competitive wages. While program-level earnings data for individual BSN schools is not yet available, regional employment figures paint a clear picture of the opportunities awaiting newly licensed RNs.
According to federal labor data, registered nurses in the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis metropolitan area earned a median annual wage of $84,595 in 2023.1 Wages vary with experience and specialization: the lowest 10 percent of RNs earned around $62,000 to $63,000, while the top 10 percent exceeded $117,000, and the average annual wage was slightly higher at $88,230.2
Nationally, the outlook remains strong. The Bureau of Labor StatisticsBureau of Labor Statistics projects a 5 percent growth in RN positions from 2024 to 2034, translating to about 189,100 new openings each year. This sustained demand reinforces the value of a BSN, the degree most preferred by magnet hospitals and health systems across Wisconsin.
When set against the tuition and fees shown in the cost comparison table, these salary figures highlight a compelling return on investment. Even at private institutions where annual tuition may exceed $50,000, the region's high earning floor means BSN graduates can recoup costs relatively quickly. A nurse earning the metro median would match a four-year private tuition outlay in a little over two years of work, not accounting for financial aid or scholarships that significantly lower net price. For students attending public universities with lower in-state tuition, the ROI is even more immediate. Pairing a BSN from a Brookfield-area school with the local job market creates a financial pathway that rewards the upfront commitment well into the future.
Choosing the right BSN program near Brookfield is a big decision. Here we answer the most frequently asked questions about program quality, cost, and flexibility, drawing on information from earlier in this article.
Beyond the top 10 ranked programs, many other nursing schools in Wisconsin offer accredited pathways to registered nursing. This directory includes additional BSN, ADN, and direct-entry master's options within a broader radius of Brookfield, each with distinct strengths in format, cost, and clinical opportunities.
