Most Affordable Nursing Programs in Wisconsin (2026)
12 nursing programs at Wisconsin schools and campuses list tuition — the lowest is Herzing University's RN to BSN at $15,000 total. Online programs from 42 more out-of-state schools also enroll Wisconsin residents, from $8,100.
Key takeaways for Wisconsin tuition
- Tuition at Wisconsin schools and campuses ranges from $15,000 to $160,000 total.
- Compare tuition against the school's board-reported NCLEX pass rate — the cheapest program is not always the best value.
Compare tuition and financial aid for Wisconsin nursing programs
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herzing UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $15,000 |
| Marquette UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $18,000 |
| Rasmussen UniversityLPNOn Campus · 12 months | On Campus | 12 mo | $21,000 |
| Herzing UniversityMSN — Nursing AdministrationOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $21,000 |
| Herzing UniversityMSN — Nursing EducationOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $21,000 |
Partner programs in Wisconsin.
Directory totals below remain the source. These listings are sponsored.
Sponsored · Disclosure
More Wisconsin nursing programs by tuition
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen UniversityADNOn Campus · 24 months | On Campus | 24 mo | $36,000 |
| Herzing UniversityOnline MSN – Family Nurse PractitionerOnline · 20 months | Online | 20 mo | $36,960 |
| Marquette UniversityMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 30 months | Hybrid | 30 mo | $46,000 |
| Arizona College of NursingAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 28 months | On Campus | 28 mo | $56,000 |
| Herzing UniversityBSN (Pre-Licensure)On Campus · 36 months | On Campus | 36 mo | $60,000 |
| Marquette UniversityDNPHybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $64,000 |
| Marquette UniversityBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $160,000 |
Source: MyNursingSchools program directory totals as of 2026-08-21. Programs without published tuition are omitted. Net price after aid may differ — confirm with each school.
Cheapest online programs open to Wisconsin residents
These schools are based outside Wisconsin but enroll residents online. Clinical hours are still completed locally, and some programs charge out-of-state rates — confirm with the school.
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University SystemRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $8,100 |
| Florida State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,000 |
| University of Alabama at BirminghamRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,600 |
| University of South FloridaRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $9,600 |
| American Public University SystemMSN — Nursing LeadershipOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $9,720 |
| Ohio State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,900 |
| University of Illinois ChicagoRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,200 |
| Capella UniversityRN to BSN (FlexPath)Online · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $10,400 |
| Arizona State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,570 |
| University of CincinnatiRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $10,800 |
Getting the Best Value from Nursing School in Wisconsin
Affordable is not the same as cheapest. The best-value program in Wisconsin is the one with the lowest cost per outcome — weigh tuition against the NCLEX first-time pass rate and job placement, not sticker price alone. A public in-state BSN or a community-college ADN with a strong pass rate often beats a rock-bottom program that graduates fewer of its students.
Net price is what matters, so stack aid against the sticker. Pell Grants, Wisconsin state nursing scholarships, and hospital tuition reimbursement (RN-to-BSN is frequently employer-funded) move the real cost far more than a small difference in listed tuition. File the FAFSA before you enroll to see your true out-of-pocket number.
Measure payback, not price. At Wisconsin’s average RN wage a well-chosen program typically pays for itself within a few years — so a mid-priced degree that gets you licensed and hired quickly can be the better financial decision than the cheapest option on the page.
Career Outlook for Wisconsin Nurses
Affordability is only half the equation — demand and earning ceiling determine how quickly a program pays for itself.
At or near the 6% national average. Demand remains stable across most specialties.
Per hour (BLS). Overtime and travel nursing contracts pay a significant premium above this base.
Wisconsin requires a collaborative agreement for at least one practice element. NPs can still practice broadly but cannot fully prescribe independently.
Job growth and hourly rate: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. NP practice authority: AANP 2024.
Already licensed? Next credentials for Wisconsin nurses
Pass rates and sticker price are for the first license. Working RNs in Wisconsin often stack an online RN-to-BSN, then an NP specialty. Online RN-to-BSN options serving Wisconsin include Walden University at $27,710 listed total tuition in our directory. Wisconsin is a reduced-practice state: nurse practitioners must maintain a career-long collaborative agreement with another health provider for at least one element of practice (often prescriptive authority), which limits fully independent practice.
- Bridge for working RNsRN-to-BSN programs in Wisconsin
Employer-funded bridges are common. Directory listed totals include Walden University at $27,710.
- Nurse practitionerFNP programs in Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a reduced-practice NP state (AANP). Family NP is the mainstream primary-care specialty.
- NP specialtyPMHNP programs in Wisconsin
Psychiatric-mental health NP tracks for BSN-prepared nurses planning advanced practice in Wisconsin.
Related Pages
How much does nursing school cost in Wisconsin?
What are the cheapest nursing schools in Wisconsin with financial aid?
Are affordable nursing programs in Wisconsin as good as expensive ones?
How strong is the nursing job market in Wisconsin?
What are the prerequisite requirements for nursing programs in Wisconsin?
Compare nursing programs in Wisconsin
- All nursing programs in Wisconsin
- Online nursing programs in WisconsinPrograms delivered primarily online for students who can't relocate.
- No-waitlist nursing schools in WisconsinPrograms reporting open seats rather than a waitlist queue.
- Accelerated BSN programs in WisconsinSecond-degree tracks for applicants who already hold a bachelor's.
- Fastest programs in Wisconsin
- ADN programs in WisconsinAssociate-degree and community-college routes to RN licensure.
- BSN programs in WisconsinFour-year pre-licensure bachelor's degrees for first-time RNs.