2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Wisconsin
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Moraine Park Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools in Wisconsin. Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fond du Lac. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,025 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Moraine Park Technical College earn a median of $66,776 early in their careers. Set against $17,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Milwaukee Area Technical College one of the best values for nursing. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $69,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,499 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,281. That is a strong return on a $17,499 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nicolet Area Technical College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Located in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,793, with out-of-state students paying around $7,066. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,837 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Nicolet Area Technical College earn a median of $65,071 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,837 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Students borrow a median of $17,876 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $61,633. That is a strong return on a $17,876 median debt.
Blackhawk Technical College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Janesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,747, while out-of-state students pay about $6,803. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $69,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeshore Technical College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,144 in student loans. 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.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $63,958. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Western Technical College La Cross is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $64,274. Set against $19,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College placed #10 among the best values for nursing. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,171 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,447 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,716. That is a strong return on a $17,447 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,386 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,050. Set against $18,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,674 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $68,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,151 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,532. Set against $23,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $68,134. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,904, compared with $7,147 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,329 to complete the nursing program here. 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.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #16 spot for nursing value this year. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Students borrow a median of $26,235 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,045. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $70,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,000. Nursing graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $91,263 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,987 in student loans. Nursing graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $68,395 early in their careers. Set against $18,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $92,233. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Carroll University came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $74,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carroll University admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #23 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $87,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Wauwatosa, Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,469. Nursing graduates carry a median of $37,278 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa earn a median of $70,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,278 median debt.
Viterbo University came in at #25 for value in nursing this year. Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Crosse. Students from in state pay about $34,250 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,013 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Viterbo University earn a median of $92,297 early in their careers. Set against $29,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
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), 2027 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
