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.
This list highlights accredited nursing programs near Brookfield, focusing on net price, institution-wide graduation rates, and flexible campus and online options. The entries below compare traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, ADN, and RN-to-BSN pathways to help you find a practical fit.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI | ~$25,000/yr (est.) | Milwaukee clinical placement seekers | |
Marquette's Milwaukee campus is a practical choice for Brookfield-area students seeking direct admission to a four-year BSN and guaranteed clinical hours in major metro health systems. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 83 percent, and the estimated net price after aid is about $31,500. A hybrid Direct Entry MSN also serves career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree. CCNE accredited
ACEN accredited
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| #2 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | Milwaukee, WI | ~$22,000/yr (est.) | Technology-focused urban nursing students | |
Milwaukee School of Engineering offers two campus-based BSN tracks: a traditional four-year path with direct admission and an accelerated 16-month track for career changers. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 67 percent, and the estimated net price after aid is about $22,500. A technology-rich simulation center and guaranteed clinical progression support strong licensure outcomes. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #3 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | ~$17,000/yr (est.) | Traditional students seeking research university | |
UW-Madison combines a traditional campus BSN with an accelerated second-degree path and a fully online RN to BSN completion option. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 90 percent, and the estimated net price after aid is about $17,400. Students gain clinical exposure across hospitals, clinics, and community settings, with CCNE-accredited preparation for the NCLEX-RN.
No entrance exam
Fully online option
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| #4 | Bellin College | Green Bay, WI | ~$37,000/yr (est.) | ||
Bellin College in Green Bay provides a campus-based BSN with three track options, including a 15-month accelerated route. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 63 percent, and the estimated net price after aid is about $37,400. Extensive clinical experience and CCNE accreditation support preparation for the NCLEX-RN. CCNE accredited
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| #5 | Moraine Park Technical College | Fond du Lac, WI | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | ||
Moraine Park Technical College offers an affordable campus-based Associate Degree in Nursing with two career exits: LPN after the first year or RN after completing the program. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 58 percent, and the estimated net price after aid is about $9,300. The ACEN-accredited program includes lab simulation and clinical rotations.
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| #6 | Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton, WI | $5,000 – $7,000/yr (est.) | ||
Fox Valley Technical College provides a campus-based ADN that blends classroom theory with hands-on clinical training. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 65 percent, and the estimated net price after aid is about $11,400. Students should expect a high-demand program with a waitlist for core nursing courses.
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| #7 | Rasmussen University-Wisconsin | Green Bay, WI | |||
Rasmussen University-Wisconsin offers a hybrid ADN that combines online coursework with on-campus simulation labs and supervised clinicals. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 57 percent, and the program lists a total tuition near $55,700. Eight annual start dates and no waitlists at many campuses support flexible entry. Military benefitsEmployer tuition reimbursement
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| #8 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | Fennimore, WI | ~$13,000/yr (est.) | ||
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College offers a hybrid Associate Degree Nursing program with adult, pediatric, and obstetric simulation. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 66 percent, and the estimated net price after aid is about $12,900. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN, with hands-on clinical placements in area healthcare agencies. ACEN accredited
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| #9 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | Eau Claire, WI | ~$17,000/yr (est.) | ||
UW-Eau Claire's BSN Completion program is a hybrid online option designed for working RNs and ADN graduates. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 64 percent, and the estimated net price after aid is about $16,600. Courses are offered in 7- and 14-week sessions, with a 90-hour clinical project and CCNE accreditation. CCNE accredited
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| #10 | Maranatha Baptist University | Watertown, WI | ~$26,000/yr (est.) | ||
Maranatha Baptist University in Watertown offers a faith-based, campus BSN with over 1,000 clinical hours and a capstone practicum. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 64 percent, and the estimated net price after aid is about $26,000. The CCNE-accredited program integrates a Christian worldview with preparation for the NCLEX-RN. CCNE accredited
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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 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.
