2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Wisconsin
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Wisconsin
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Schools
For return on investment in nursing, no school beat Gateway Technical College this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $68,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeshore Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Students borrow a median of $14,144 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Lakeshore Technical College earn a median of $61,635 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $64,281. Set against $17,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Moraine Park Technical College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,819, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,025 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,776. That is a strong return on a $17,025 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Milwaukee Area Technical College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $69,145. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College placed #6 among the best values for nursing. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,674 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of $68,434 early in their careers. Set against $23,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nicolet Area Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,793, while out-of-state students pay about $7,066. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,837 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,071. Set against $16,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Students borrow a median of $17,876 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $61,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,904, while out-of-state students pay about $7,147. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,329. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $61,748. That is a strong return on a $15,329 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #10 position for value in nursing this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,386. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,050. Set against $18,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blackhawk Technical College landed the #11 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,747, while out-of-state students pay about $6,803. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,492. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt.
Mid State Technical College landed the #12 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,447. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,716. That is a strong return on a $17,447 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,151 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,750. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,958. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross earned the #15 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Students borrow a median of $19,937 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,274. That is a strong return on a $19,937 median debt.
Madison Area Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Students borrow a median of $26,235 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $66,446 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $91,263. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Students borrow a median of $28,045 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $70,213 early in their careers. Set against $28,045 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Students borrow a median of $18,987 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $68,395. Set against $18,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $92,233. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #21 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $86,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wauwatosa. Students from in state pay about $20,469 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $37,278 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa generally make around $70,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $87,284. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Alverno College placed #24 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $34,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Alverno College earn a median of $91,109 early in their careers. Set against $34,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Herzing University Kenosha earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Herzing University Kenosha is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $43,985 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Herzing University Kenosha generally make around $95,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Herzing University Kenosha admits about 92% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
