Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and admissions for every Madison-area nursing program.
UW Health, SSM Health, and a growing network of specialty clinics establish Madison as a central hub for nursing employment in southern Wisconsin. Demand for BSN-prepared nurses has intensified as hospitals seek Magnet designation and higher-acuity care demands more advanced clinical reasoning. Traditional four-year BSNs, accelerated tracks for career changers, and RN-to-BSN bridge programs each offer a distinct entry point, but cost, NCLEX pass rates, and clinical placement quality vary widely, influencing long-term career trajectory.
Finding the right nursing program near Madison often means looking beyond campus boundaries. Our ranking draws on institutional data and state nursing outcomes to identify the best options within a broad radius, balancing affordability, student success, and program quality. While no schools sit directly in the city, several top-performing programs are a short drive away in southern Wisconsin.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Maranatha Baptist University | Watertown, WI | $26,000/yr | Faith-based learners near Madison | |
Maranatha Baptist University in Watertown offers a BSN program in south-central Wisconsin, making it one of the closest four-year options to Madison. The curriculum integrates clinical practice with a biblical worldview, and students complete over 1,000 hours of hands-on training. Strong NCLEX performance and medical missions opportunities set it apart for students seeking faith-based nursing education.
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| #2 | Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI | ~$31,000/yr (est.) | High-achievers seeking top NCLEX results | |
Marquette University in Milwaukee is a top in-state private choice, known for direct freshman admission to its BSN and consistently high first-time NCLEX pass rates, often at 100%. Students gain diverse clinical experience in the Milwaukee metro area, with options for honors tracks and study abroad. A direct-entry MSN pathway is also available for career changers.
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| #3 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | Fennimore, WI | $13,000/yr | Rural students in southwest Wisconsin | |
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore serves the southwest region with an ADN program that combines classroom learning with simulation technology. The 65-credit program qualifies graduates for the NCLEX-RN and reports strong employment outcomes. Its rural location and affordability make it a practical choice for students west of Madison.
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| #4 | Northwood Technical College | Rice Lake, WI | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Northwood Technical College offers an ACEN-accredited ADN program across multiple campuses, including hybrid and part-time options. With low tuition and a median graduate debt of $8,250, it is among the most affordable routes to RN licensure in the state. Students benefit from a low 8:1 student-faculty ratio and a focus on holistic care.
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| #5 | Moraine Park Technical College | Fond du Lac, WI | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | ||
Moraine Park Technical College's ADN program in Fond du Lac includes a practical nursing exit point, allowing students to earn LPN credentials en route. The program boasts a 96% NCLEX pass rate and is ACEN-accredited. Its estimated total cost of about $12,152 offers strong value for in-state learners.
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| #6 | Mid-State Technical College | Wisconsin Rapids, WI | $11,000/yr | ||
Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids delivers a hybrid ADN program that emphasizes leadership and clinical practice. Graduates achieve top statewide NCLEX-RN pass rates, often at or near 100%. Admission requires anatomy and nursing assistant prerequisites, ensuring a solid foundation for entry.
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| #7 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | Milwaukee, WI | ~$22,000/yr (est.) | ||
Milwaukee School of Engineering provides a traditional BSN and an accelerated second-degree track, both campus-based and CCNE-accredited. The accelerated 16-month option boasts a 100% NCLEX pass rate and extensive clinical hours, ideal for career changers. Students benefit from a technology-rich environment and guaranteed progression for those meeting criteria.
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| #8 | Lakeshore Technical College | Cleveland, WI | $10,000/yr (net price) | ||
Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland offers an ACEN-accredited ADN with higher-than-average NCLEX-RN pass rates; its spring 2024 cohort achieved 100%. Hands-on training occurs at the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Center for Healthcare Excellence. The program's affordable tuition and 65-credit structure support accessibility.
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| #9 | Bellin College | Green Bay, WI | ~$37,000/yr (est.) | ||
Bellin College in Green Bay provides a CCNE-accredited BSN with three pathways: a traditional three-year, a transfer option, and an accelerated 15-month track. Strong clinical partnerships with Bellin Health and high NCLEX pass rates underscore its quality. Despite a higher net price, graduates see competitive median earnings of over $76,000.
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| #10 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay, WI | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay offers an ACEN-accredited ADN with a blended learning approach and high job placement rates over 90% within six months. The program is designed for immediate workforce entry, with financial aid available and a net price of about $9,918 after aid.
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Madison offers three distinct routes to the BSN, each tailored to a different entry point. The traditional four-year program serves first-time college students, the accelerated 12-month track is designed for career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree, and the RN-to-BSN pathway helps working registered nurses earn their bachelor's in as few as 18 months online.
The table below compares annual tuition and net price for nursing programs at technical colleges near Madison. Net price reflects the average amount paid after grants and scholarships across all undergraduates, not specifically nursing students, but it still offers a helpful affordability benchmark. Nicolet Area Technical College stands out as the most affordable option, with a net price of $8,255.
| 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 | $4,747 | $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 |
What does it take to get into a nursing program in Madison? The requirements vary by school, but all focus on a strong science foundation and competitive grades. Below, we break down the specifics for UW-Madison, Edgewood College, Herzing University, and an alternative pathway through Madison College.
At UW-Madison, admission to the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is competitive and has a fall-only start. Key prerequisites for the 2025-2026 cycle include:
The application deadline is January 15, and decisions are released by July 1. While the stated minimums are 2.75, admitted students often present higher GPAs given the program's selectivity.
Edgewood College and Herzing University-Madison also offer BSN pathways with their own prerequisite and admission standards. While exact cutoffs can change each year, both typically expect:
Because details shift, always verify current requirements directly on the respective school's nursing admissions page.
Despite differences, most Madison nursing schools require a similar set of prerequisites: anatomy and physiology with labs, microbiology, chemistry, and general psychology or sociology. GPA minimums hover between 2.5 and 2.75. Many programs also expect applicants to hold a CNA certification or to document paid or volunteer healthcare exposure, a factor that can strengthen an application even when not mandatory.
Madison College offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) as an entry point. Admission to that program typically requires a TEAS test, a valid CNA license, and specific prerequisite courses. Once licensed as an RN through the ADN route, graduates can smoothly transition into an RN-to-BSN program at UW-Madison, Edgewood, or Herzing. Those bridge programs often have more relaxed prerequisites, credit for prior nursing coursework, and flexible formats designed for working nurses.
NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates reveal how well a nursing program prepares students for the licensing exam, which is required to become a registered nurse. In Madison, pass rates vary across schools, but all four local programs exceed both Wisconsin and national averages.
The most recent data from the Wisconsin Board of Nursing shows the following first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for Madison-area programs. Madison College’s ADN program leads with 97.27%, followed by UW-Madison’s BSN at 95.22%. Edgewood College BSN graduates achieve 92.00%, and Herzing University-Madison’s BSN program reports 88.89%.1 These figures represent exam performance shortly after graduation, offering a concrete measure of each school’s curriculum strength.
Wisconsin’s average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate typically falls between 89% and 91%, while the national average for 2025 stood at 87.5%3. All four Madison schools clear the national benchmark. Madison College and UW-Madison comfortably surpass the state average, Edgewood College meets it, and Herzing University-Madison sits just below the Wisconsin trend, but still above the national figure. This means even the lowest-scoring Madison program performs above the broader U.S. baseline.
Long-term outcomes add crucial context. Edgewood College’s nursing graduates earn a median of $59,728 ten years after starting the program, with a median debt of $24,424. For UW-Madison, Madison College, and Herzing University-Madison, program-level earnings data are not yet available. While NCLEX rates are strong across the board, prospective students should weigh potential debt against expected salary gains, especially when federal scorecard data show that Wisconsin BSN holders can earn significantly more over time.
If NCLEX pass rates alone determined the answer, Madison College’s 97.27% would make it the top performer. However, that program awards an associate degree, which may limit long-term advancement compared to a BSN. Among BSN programs, UW-Madison’s 95.22% pass rate stands out, especially given its reputation as one of the best nursing schools in Wisconsin and its strong clinical partnerships. Edgewood College offers a strong balance of pass rate and known earnings data. Ultimately, the best choice depends on whether you prioritize immediate exam performance, degree level, or projected return on investment.
Not all clinical placements are equal; some programs offer direct, integrated partnerships with major teaching hospitals, while others arrange rotations through broader affiliations. In Madison, this distinction can shape everything from the complexity of patient cases you manage to the specialty units you access.
The University of Wisconsin, Madison School of Nursing holds a formal Academic-Practice Partnership with UW Health, anchored at University Hospital. This relationship goes beyond a simple rotation agreement: it integrates nursing education with clinical practice, giving students consistent exposure to a high-acuity academic medical center. Rotations often include access to American Family Children's Hospital for pediatrics and, depending on the semester, the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital for those interested in veteran care.
Edgewood College maintains an advanced practice affiliation with UW Health, primarily for NP and PA students.1 While Edgewood’s pre-licensure BSN students also secure placements across Madison, the college’s clinical network typically extends to SSM Health St. Mary’s and UnityPoint Health-Meriter, two other major hospital systems in the area. Herzing University and Madison College do not appear as listed affiliates of UW Health’s Academic-Practice Partnership,1 but both schools coordinate student rotations across multiple Madison hospitals. In practice, nursing students from all programs often train at a mix of sites, community hospitals, outpatient clinics, and long-term care facilities, giving them a well-rounded clinical foundation.
Training in a city with a major academic medical center means exposure to cutting-edge treatments, multidisciplinary teams, and research-driven care. Specialty rotations, such as pediatric intensive care at American Family Children’s Hospital or mental health services through the VA, are not always available in smaller markets. For nursing students, this depth of clinical opportunity can directly support NCLEX preparation and early career specialization.
Prospective nursing students often have questions about program quality, cost, and clinical training in Madison. Below, we address the most common inquiries to help you choose the right nursing school in Wisconsin's capital city.
