Cheapest Registered Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Parkside delivers nursing education for just $10,044 net price, making it Wisconsin's most affordable option by a significant margin. The $14,318 gap between Parkside's costs and the next cheapest program at UW-Green Bay reflects how strategic campus selection can dramatically impact student debt loads. Wisconsin's healthcare sector, anchored by major employers like Epic Systems and GE Healthcare, creates strong demand for nursing graduates across all specializations from bedside care to administrative leadership roles. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with eight of the ten cheapest programs coming from the University of Wisconsin system. While Rasmussen University graduates earn the highest average salary at $73,870, students pay nearly double Parkside's net cost to attend. The state's manufacturing and agriculture industries also rely heavily on occupational health nurses, creating additional career pathways beyond traditional hospital settings. Wisconsin Grant funding helps keep in-state costs manageable, with most public options charging under $11,000 annually for residents.

Programs

$10,044 – $29,237

Net Price Range

$62,442

Avg. Program Earnings

57.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

26 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Wisconsin-Parkside Kenosha, Wisconsin	$10,044	$7,855	39.8%	72.8%
2	University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Green Bay, Wisconsin	$12,878	$8,342	53.1%	89.6%
3	University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, Wisconsin	$13,726	$8,834	56.0%	89.1%
4	University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, Wisconsin	$14,761	$8,212	57.9%	88.5%
5	Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa Wauwatosa, Wisconsin	$15,135	$19,944	23.5%
6	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,177	$10,020	51.2%	86.3%
7	Alverno College Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,722	$32,794	50.5%	89.9%
8	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
9	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, Wisconsin	$16,948	$9,277	67.6%	76.6%
10	Herzing University-Kenosha Kenosha, Wisconsin	$17,613	$13,420	50.0%	93.5%
11	Mount Mary University Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$18,295	$34,390	58.9%	69.5%
12	Herzing University-Brookfield Brookfield, Wisconsin	$18,796	$13,420	40.0%	95.1%
13	Rasmussen University-Wisconsin Green Bay, Wisconsin	$18,847	$11,982	62.5%
14	Herzing University-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$20,319	$13,420	27.6%	94.5%
15	Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$21,315	$35,080	62.7%	93.8%
16	Lakeland University Plymouth, Wisconsin	$22,092	$32,286	55.7%	99.5%
17	Viterbo University La Crosse, Wisconsin	$22,633	$32,350	65.2%	72.4%
18	Marian University Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin	$23,341	$33,000	41.2%	71.6%
19	Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$24,021	$48,421	71.5%	63.5%
20	Carroll University Waukesha, Wisconsin	$24,362	$37,230	69.6%	72.1%
21	Maranatha Baptist University Watertown, Wisconsin	$24,659	$20,280	65.7%	75.1%
22	Carthage College Kenosha, Wisconsin	$24,813	$36,500	60.5%	81.8%
23	Edgewood College Madison, Wisconsin	$25,634	$34,850	67.4%	98.6%
24	Concordia University-Wisconsin Mequon, Wisconsin	$26,067	$34,250	64.3%	70.4%
25	Bellin College Green Bay, Wisconsin	$27,313	$28,211	74.3%	92.9%
26	Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$29,237	$48,700	80.1%	87.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $14,318 cost difference between Wisconsin's cheapest and second-cheapest nursing programs?

University of Wisconsin-Parkside charges just $10,044 net price compared to UW-Green Bay's $12,878, largely due to Parkside's location in Kenosha and its focused program structure. Both schools maintain similar acceptance rates around 72-89%, but Parkside's lower overhead costs and streamlined operations translate directly to student savings. UW-Green Bay graduates earn $66,287 on average with $15,221 in debt, while Parkside students graduate with significantly less financial burden despite comparable career prospects.

How do private nursing schools compare to public options in Wisconsin's cost structure?

Private schools like Alverno College charge $32,794 in tuition versus public schools averaging under $11,000 for in-state students. However, private institutions often provide more financial aid, bringing Alverno's net price to $16,722 compared to public schools ranging from $10,044 to $16,948. Mount Mary University represents the most expensive option at $34,390 tuition, though its 58.9% graduation rate exceeds several cheaper alternatives. Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa offers the lowest graduation rate at just 23.5% despite charging $19,944 annually.

Where do Wisconsin nursing graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

Rasmussen University graduates command the highest average earnings at $73,870, significantly above the state range of $59,320 to $73,870. UW-Madison graduates earn $64,769 with the added benefit of attending Wisconsin's flagship institution and maintaining an 89.3% graduation rate. UW-Green Bay and UW-Eau Claire graduates earn $66,287 and $62,012 respectively, while their programs cost substantially less than private alternatives. These salary differences often reflect regional job markets and the specific nursing specializations each program emphasizes.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Wisconsin nursing education?

UW-Madison achieves the highest graduation rate at 89.3% while charging $16,928 net price, demonstrating that quality doesn't always require premium pricing. Conversely, Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa shows the lowest completion rate at 23.5% despite charging $15,135 annually. UW-Eau Claire maintains a strong 67.6% graduation rate at $16,948 net cost, while several Herzing University campuses show completion rates between 27.6% and 50% at higher price points. The data suggests that established public universities generally provide better value propositions than newer private institutions.

What makes University of Wisconsin-Parkside stand out as the most affordable nursing option?

Parkside's $10,044 net price represents strong value in nursing education, particularly given its 72.83% acceptance rate and location near major healthcare employers. The school's position in Kenosha provides access to both Milwaukee and Chicago job markets while maintaining lower operational costs than urban campuses. Students graduate with minimal debt compared to peers at more expensive institutions, though specific earning data isn't available for comparison. Parkside's 39.8% graduation rate, while lower than some competitors, still represents solid value given the dramatically reduced financial investment required.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.