[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Wisconsin employs about 63,000 registered nurses (RNs). Those interested in earning a nursing degree can choose from more than 30 nursing schools in Wisconsin that offer associate degree or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide can help you find the best nursing program in Wisconsin for your career goals and background. Read on for more about Wisconsin nursing schools, earning your RN license, and the salary and job outlook in Wisconsin.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Nursing Schools in Wisconsin[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The best nursing program in Wisconsin for you is the one that matches your needs. This guide provides data to help you identify the best fit for your career goals and budget.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Our Methodology[/hen-ui-text]: We use a [hen-ui-link href=”/methodology/”]data-driven methodology[/hen-ui-link] to rank the best nursing schools in Wisconsin, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Choose a Nursing Program in Wisconsin[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With so many nursing schools in Wisconsin, it can be hard to choose. Factors to consider include cost (tuition, expenses, and financial aid); program quality; admission requirements and acceptance rates; the clinical placement process; and program logistics. If you plan to attend online, see if you can get clinical placement in your community.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Because unaccredited schools can be a poor bargain, this guide only lists [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//what-is-accreditation/”]accredited nursing programs[/hen-ui-link] in Wisconsin.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Become a Nurse in Wisconsin[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Wisconsin is a [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-compact-states/”]Nurse Licensure Compact[/hen-ui-link] (NLC) state, which means that you can apply for a multistate license after you graduate from a nursing school in Wisconsin and pass the [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nclex/things-to-know-about-the-nclex-exam/”]National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses[/hen-ui-link] (NCLEX-RN). A multistate license is valid in any of the 37 participating states.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The pass rate for the NCLEX-RN exam [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/2019_NCLEXExamStats.pdf” target=”_blank”]in 2019[/hen-ui-link] for nursing programs in Wisconsin was 90.3%, slightly higher than the national average of 88%. The admission rate for BSN programs ranges from 50-70%.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Wisconsin has a slightly lower cost of living than the national average, and nursing salaries are below the national average.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Wisconsin[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]More than 63,000 RNs work in Wisconsin, mostly in hospitals. Wisconsin’s cost of living is below average (95.5 compared to the national index of 100), and the average RN salary is slightly below the national average.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The average RN salary in Wisconsin is $74,760 versus $80,010 nationally. However, the average nurse practitioner (NP) salary is $113,030, close to the national average of $114,510, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The [hen-ui-link href=”/state/washington/rn-salary/”]average annual salary[/hen-ui-link] for Wisconsin RNs is $91,310, considerably higher than the national average of $80,010.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Job growth for nurses is slower than in the nation as a whole. The BLS projects that between 2018 and 2028, [hen-ui-link href=”https://projectionscentral.org/” target=”_blank”]RN jobs could grow by 7.8%[/hen-ui-link] and [hen-ui-link href=”https://projectionscentral.org/” target=”_blank”]23% for NPs[/hen-ui-link] in Wisconsin, compared to a national growth of 12.1% for RNs and 28.2% for NPs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]By 2030, the U.S. Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) projects a surplus of 6,200 nurses for Wisconsin.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]HRSA developed these projections before the COVID-19 pandemic, so this figure does not account for nurses leaving during and after COVID-19.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Madison and Milwaukee are both homes to several prestigious hospitals and health systems, including academic medical centers. If you want to live in a smaller city, La Crosse, Racine, and Oshkosh all have midwestern charm with easy access to bigger cities and Wisconsin’s 15,000 lakes.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses in Wisconsin[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Top Paying Metropolitan Areas[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Salary for RNs[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Madison[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$82,330[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Milwaukee — Waukesha — West Allis[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$76,750[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]La Crosse — Onalaska[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$76,270[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Oshkosh — Neenah[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$72,400[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Racine[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$72,360[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]Source: BLS[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Wisconsin[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For a nursing license, you must complete an approved nursing program in Wisconsin or another state, pass the NCLEX-RN, and complete a criminal background check.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Wisconsin is one of the few states that does not require continuing education to renew your RN license. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), however, must submit proof of continuing education.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Wisconsin[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]How much money do nurses make in Wisconsin?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NPs earn an average salary of $113,030 in Wisconsin, according to the BLS. For RNs, the BLS reports an average of $74,760.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]How do I become a nurse in Wisconsin?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To earn a Wisconsin nursing license, you must earn an ADN or a BSN degree, pass the NCLEX-RN, and complete a criminal background check.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An associate degree typically takes two years and a BSN takes four years to complete, but the BSN is more valuable if you plan to earn a master’s degree. Many employers require or prefer a BSN for higher-level positions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]How long does it take to get a Wisconsin nursing license?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It takes about two years to earn an ADN and four years to earn a BSN. If you attend a participating nursing program in Wisconsin, you can apply online.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Once you apply for your license, it may take up to 30 days to process a completed application.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Is Wisconsin a nurse compact state?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Wisconsin participates in the nurse licensure compact. This means that when you graduate from nursing school in Wisconsin or another participating state, you can apply for a multistate nursing license. A multistate license is valid in any of the 37 NLC states.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Find Nursing Programs in Other States[/hen-ui-heading]