Nursing in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s nursing education landscape is shaped by a concentration of programs in urban centers such as Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay. While the state has around 50 nursing schools, many are clustered near these metropolitan areas.

There are approximately 61,870 registered nurse positions statewide, with demand steady but not rapidly growing. Certain rural and long-term care sectors report shortages, but urban areas often have more competition for entry-level RN jobs. Salaries for RNs average about $87,220, ranging from $69,240 in smaller markets to over $105,000 in specialized or high-cost areas like Milwaukee. LPNs earn roughly $57,190 on average. Advanced practice nurses see notably higher pay, with nurse practitioners around $128,330 and CRNAs earning over $247,000. Despite these numbers, Wisconsin's cost of living is somewhat higher than the U.S. average, particularly in housing, which tempers the impact of nursing salaries.

Wisconsin participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, allowing nurses licensed in Wisconsin to practice in other compact states without obtaining additional licenses. This benefits nurses seeking mobility to states like Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. However, not all neighboring states are compact members, so cross-state work opportunities vary depending on location.

NCLEX pass rates in Wisconsin average about 87.6%, with individual program rates ranging between 81.2% and 92.5%. Public ADN and BSN programs tend to have stronger outcomes, while some private for-profit schools show lower pass rates. This variability highlights the importance of choosing programs carefully, especially since Wisconsin does not have widespread regulatory concerns but does flag lower-performing programs for improvement initiatives.

Tuition costs vary by program type and institution. LPN programs typically run between $6,000 and $10,000, mostly offered at technical colleges. ADN programs cost roughly $8,000 to $15,000 at community colleges, making them more affordable options compared to BSN programs, which at public universities often exceed $20,000 per year. Private colleges can charge significantly more, sometimes above $30,000 annually. When factoring in Wisconsin’s moderate to high living expenses, especially in urban areas, total costs for nursing education can be substantial.

Major healthcare employers in Wisconsin include Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee, the UW Health system in Madison, and Froedtert Health. These systems offer clinical training sites and are key recruiters, especially for BSN and advanced practice graduates. Rural counties face ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining nurses due to fewer educational resources and lower salaries.