Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and pathways for every BSN option accessible from Wausau
Northcentral Technical College’s associate degree nursing graduates routinely achieve NCLEX-RN pass rates above 95 percent; however, a growing number of Wausau health systems now expect new hires to hold a BSN or enroll in an RN-to-BSN program shortly after licensure. That credential tension makes identifying true baccalaureate pathways in a smaller metro like Wausau far harder than it sounds.
Confusion around Rasmussen University’s Wausau campus, where rumors of a nursing program shutdown circulated widely despite the BSN track remaining active, further muddies the picture. Students who relied on dated information may have discarded a viable local option or assumed no direct-entry BSN exists within commute distance.
In central Wisconsin, where clinical site capacity is tight and tuition differences between public and private programs can exceed $30,000, choosing a school without real cost and pipeline data carries measurable risk.
To identify nursing programs within realistic reach of Wausau, we searched a 75-mile radius that includes schools in Stevens Point, Marshfield, and beyond. The programs below are ranked on quality, affordability, and graduate outcomes, and many offer hybrid or online components to cut commute time. Even when a campus is a bit farther, flexible formats keep strong options open for central Wisconsin students.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Northwood Technical College | Rice Lake, WI | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | Affordable hybrid ADN for working adults | |
Northwood Technical College provides a versatile ADN program with full-time, part-time, and LPN-to-ADN pathways, all delivered in a hybrid format to accommodate working students. The college reports strong student-faculty engagement (8:1 ratio) and a net price just under $9,000, making it one of the most affordable options in the region. Graduates carry median debt of $8,250 and earn a median $43,406 ten years after enrollment.
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| #2 | Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI | ~$31,000/yr (est.) | Ambitious direct-admit BSN pathway | |
Marquette University's College of Nursing offers a direct-admit BSN that guarantees freshmen entry into the nursing major, alongside a Direct Entry MSN for career changers with a non-nursing bachelor's. The traditional BSN is a four-year campus-based program with clinical placements in top Milwaukee facilities, while the MSN pathway can be completed in as few as five semesters online or in person. Graduates boast high NCLEX pass rates and a median 10-year earnings of $78,257, among the highest in the state.
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| #3 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | Fennimore, WI | $13,000/yr | Rural-focused ADN with strong outcomes | |
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College's Associate Degree Nursing program blends campus and online learning with extensive simulation training using adult, pediatric, and obstetric manikins. The 65-credit program reports a high NCLEX-RN pass rate and strong job placement for graduates, who carry just $7,500 in median debt. Admission requires a chemistry course, Nursing Assistant certification, and the HESI exam, making it a selective but affordable entry point into nursing.
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| #4 | Moraine Park Technical College | Fond du Lac, WI | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | ||
Moraine Park Technical College offers a campus-based ADN that includes a practical nursing exit point, allowing students to test for LPN licensure after the first year. The program reports a 96% NCLEX pass rate and a strong median salary of $66,828 for nursing graduates in Wisconsin. With a net price under $9,300 and accreditation by ACEN, it provides a cost-effective, high-quality pathway, though it does not admit out-of-state residents.
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| #5 | Mid-State Technical College | Wisconsin Rapids, WI | $11,000/yr | ||
Mid-State Technical College's hybrid ADN emphasizes leadership and clinical practice, with a two-year curriculum that blends science and social sciences. Students complete prerequisite courses in anatomy and a Nursing Assistant course before entry, and the program is accredited by ACEN. With a net price around $10,873 and median debt of $8,000, it offers an accessible route to RN licensure, though completion rates can be challenging.
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| #6 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | Milwaukee, WI | ~$22,000/yr (est.) | ||
MSOE's School of Nursing offers a traditional four-year BSN that integrates technology and hands-on clinical training, plus an accelerated 16-month track for individuals already holding a bachelor's degree. Both programs are accredited by CCNE and report strong licensure exam results, with the accelerated option boasting a 100% NCLEX pass rate. Graduates from MSOE earn a median $89,070 ten years post-enrollment, reflecting the institution's emphasis on practical, high-demand skills.
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| #7 | Maranatha Baptist University | Watertown, WI | $26,000/yr | ||
Maranatha Baptist University's BSN program integrates a biblical worldview with over 1,000 hours of clinical experience, including opportunities for medical missions. The on-campus program is CCNE-accredited and emphasizes holistic care, critical thinking, and therapeutic communication. With a supportive faculty and a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, it offers a personalized educational environment for students seeking a faith-based nursing education.
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| #8 | Lakeshore Technical College | Cleveland, WI | $10,000/yr (net price) | ||
Lakeshore Technical College's ADN program stands out for its exceptional NCLEX-RN pass rates, including a 100% success rate in spring 2024. Students train in the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Center for Healthcare Excellence, gaining hands-on skills with modern equipment. The program's total estimated cost is about $13,739, and graduates leave with median debt of just $7,000, making it a strong return on investment in the Manitowoc/Sheboygan area.
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| #9 | Bellin College | Green Bay, WI | ~$37,000/yr (est.) | ||
Bellin College offers a flexible BSN with traditional three-year, transfer, and 15-month fast-track options, all immersed in clinical practice from the start. The college boasts a 95% retention rate and a 97% admission rate, making it accessible yet rigorous. Graduates, with median debt of $18,000, report strong median earnings of $76,222, reflecting the program's emphasis on leadership and multiple specialty exposures.
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| #10 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay, WI | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
NWTC's ADN program combines classroom, lab, and clinical instruction with a strong track record of graduate job placement, over 90% find employment within six months. The program is ACEN-accredited and offers financial aid to help offset the net price of $9,918. While completion rates are modest, those who finish enjoy median earnings of $44,553 and median debt of $11,719.
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Prospective nurses in Wausau can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through several distinct routes. The right choice depends on your starting point, career goals, and whether you need to work while enrolled.
Is Rasmussen University's Wausau campus actually closing its nursing program? The short answer is no. Despite any rumors or outdated information you might have seen, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the Wausau location is active and enrolling for its next start date in July 2026.1 The program is fully advertised, and there are no documented teach-out or transfer agreements because none are needed.
Current students can continue their program without interruption; no teach-out arrangements are required because the campus remains open. Prospective students can confidently apply for the July 2026 BSN cohort in Wausau. Should any future changes occur, the school would be obligated to notify enrolled students and provide formal transition options. For now, the Wausau campus remains a stable, local choice among nursing schools in Wisconsin for earning your BSN.
When weighing nursing program costs, net price after grants and scholarships is the most meaningful comparison metric, as it reflects what students actually pay. For Wausau-area learners, Northcentral Technical College's ADN-to-BSN pathway may be the most affordable overall, combining low two-year costs with a budget-friendly completion program. All figures below are annual averages except median graduate debt, which is cumulative federal loan debt at graduation.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price | Median Graduate Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicolet Area Technical College | $4,793 | $7,066 | $8,255 | $7,837 |
| Northwood Technical College | $4,926 | $7,169 | $8,989 | $8,250 |
| Moraine Park Technical College | $4,819 | $7,084 | $9,268 | $8,225 |
| Blackhawk Technical College | $4,747 | $6,803 | $9,330 | $9,550 |
| Lakeshore Technical College | $4,844 | $7,087 | $9,653 | $7,000 |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | $4,960 | $7,203 | $9,918 | $11,719 |
| Northcentral Technical College | $4,889 | $7,132 | $10,303 | $7,500 |
| Mid-State Technical College | $5,002 | $7,171 | $10,873 | $8,000 |
| Waukesha County Technical College | $4,803 | $7,046 | $11,101 | $12,000 |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | $4,844 | $7,087 | $12,285 | $11,432 |
How well do Wausau-area nursing graduates perform on the NCLEX, and what can they expect to earn?
Northcentral Technical College’s nursing program consistently posts strong licensure exam results. According to NTC’s official student achievement reports, first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for the associate degree program have hovered between 92% and 93% in recent cycles1, with an overall pass rate (including repeat test-takers) reaching 99%2. These numbers align with or exceed state and national averages, indicating that NTC graduates are well-prepared for entry-level practice. UW-Stevens Point, the closest public university offering a BSN, also maintains a robust NCLEX track record, though the university releases its pass rates on an institutional dashboard rather than a program-specific public report.
While program-specific nursing earnings for most Wisconsin schools are not yet available through federal consumer data tools, we can examine the overall median earnings of graduates from institutions that offer nursing programs in the region. For example, Milwaukee School of Engineering, a private university known for its direct-admit BSN, reports median earnings of $89,070 for all alumni ten years after entry. Similarly, Marquette University’s overall median is $78,257. These figures apply to all graduates, not just nursing majors, but they suggest that students from these schools enjoy strong earning potential in Wisconsin’s healthcare and technical labor markets.
To put these numbers in perspective, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual wage for registered nurses in the Wausau-Stevens Point metropolitan area was approximately $78,000 as of 2025. That means local RNs earn roughly in line with, and sometimes above, the regional median for all occupations. For Wausau-area students who complete a BSN and work locally, starting salaries often fall between $65,000 and $75,000, with opportunities for overtime and shift differentials. Those who pursue advanced roles or move to larger healthcare systems can push into the six-figure range. Because program-level earnings data remain sparse for individual nursing schools, the regional occupation wage serves as the most reliable benchmark for planning your career path.
For nursing students in Wausau, the difference between a seamless path to licensure and a prolonged search often comes down to clinical placement access. Not every program guarantees a spot, which makes the strength of a school’s healthcare relationships a decisive factor.
Two names dominate the clinical landscape: Aspirus Wausau Hospital and Marshfield Clinic Health System. Aspirus Wausau, the flagship tertiary center for the region, regularly hosts nursing students from Northcentral Technical College and other nearby programs for rotations and preceptorships. Marshfield Clinic’s facilities provide similar opportunities, particularly for students pursuing advanced or specialized experiences. Community health centers and long-term care sites also host students, though specific agreements shift with program needs and capacity.
Strong partnerships compress the timeline to graduation by eliminating placement delays and, critically, create direct hiring pipelines. Both Aspirus and Marshfield operate structured 12-month nurse residency programs that offer new graduates, including ADN-prepared nurses, a formal transition-to-practice curriculum with unit-specific preceptorship. At Marshfield, incoming staff RNs are automatically enrolled in the residency, meaning a clinical rotation can evolve into an immediate job offer. Because the NTC ADN program does not publish a static list of affiliated clinical sites, prospective students should ask about current partnerships, but the regional footprint of Aspirus and Marshfield ensures that most nursing students near Wausau will train in one or both systems.
Prospective nursing students in Wausau often have similar questions about educational pathways, costs, and program changes. Below we answer the most common inquiries to help you navigate your options in central Wisconsin.
While our top 10 list highlights the best nursing schools near Wausau, several other institutions in the region offer quality programs that may fit your needs. Below, you'll find additional options in Central Wisconsin and beyond, including online and hybrid formats. Browse by region to compare degree levels, program details, and costs.
