2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Wisconsin
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Wisconsin
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Moraine Park Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools in Wisconsin. Set in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, while out-of-state students pay about $7,084. Students borrow a median of $17,025 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,776. Set against $17,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Milwaukee Area Technical College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,145. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,499 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $64,281 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nicolet Area Technical College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rhinelander. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,793, with out-of-state students paying around $7,066. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,837 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Nicolet Area Technical College earn a median of $65,071 early in their careers. Set against $16,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earned it the #5 place for registered nursing. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,876 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $61,633. Set against $17,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blackhawk Technical College landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,747 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,803. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $69,492. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeshore Technical College came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,144 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $61,635. Set against $14,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $63,958 early in their careers. 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 registered nursing schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,937. Registered Nursing graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $64,274 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid State Technical College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing value this year. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Students borrow a median of $17,447 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $64,716 early in their careers. Set against $17,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #11 position for value in registered 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,386 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $63,050 early in their careers. 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 registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,674 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $68,434. That is a strong return on a $23,674 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,151. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $64,532. That is a strong return on a $23,151 median debt.
Gateway Technical College came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, registered 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 registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,904, with out-of-state students paying around $7,147. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,329 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $61,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madison Area Technical College placed #16 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,235 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,446. That is a strong return on a $26,235 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. 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. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $28,045. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career registered 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 Stevens Point came in at #19 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,987 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $86,743 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #21 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered 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. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll University landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $74,323. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #23 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $87,284 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value 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. Students borrow a median of $37,278 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Viterbo University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,250 in tuition and fees. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $29,013 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Viterbo University generally make around $92,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
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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.
