2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Wisconsin
Registered Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 43 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Wisconsin
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall registered nursing education in Wisconsin.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in registered nursing. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 211 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $92,233 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #2 makes Marquette University one of the top schools for registered nursing. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 392 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $86,752 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
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Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Gateway Technical College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. About 169 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Gateway Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $68,134. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Gateway Technical College
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Moraine Park Technical College awarded about 106 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $66,776 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,025 to complete this degree.
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University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 125 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn around $87,284 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Fox Valley Technical College placed #6 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. About 106 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $63,050 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,386 to complete this degree.
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University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #7 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 286 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $91,263. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #8 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Chippewa Valley Technical College awarded about 168 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College earn around $64,532 in the first couple years of their career. Chippewa Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $23,151 in student loans.
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Western Technical College La Cross earned the #9 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public institution. About 129 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Western Technical College La Cross in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Western Technical College La Cross earn around $64,274 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,937 to complete this degree.
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Carroll University earned the #10 position for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waukesha. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 130 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Carroll University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $74,323. Carroll University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Madison Area Technical College landed the #11 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. About 174 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $66,446. Madison Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $26,235 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Madison Area Technical College
Concordia University Wisconsin earned the #12 position for registered nursing this year. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. Concordia University Wisconsin graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 69 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Wisconsin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $87,324. Concordia University Wisconsin graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Concordia University Wisconsin
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. About 146 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $61,633 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,876 to complete this degree.
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Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #14 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Milwaukee Area Technical College awarded about 98 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College earn around $69,145 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Milwaukee Area Technical College
Carthage College came in at #15 for registered nursing this year. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 62 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Carthage College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Carthage College earn around $74,265 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,758 to complete this degree.
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University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #16 position for registered nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. About 53% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee awarded about 279 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $86,743 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Viterbo University earned the #17 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 171 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Viterbo University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Viterbo University generally make around $92,297. Typical student debt for the program is $29,013.
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Northcentral Technical College landed the #18 spot for registered nursing this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. There were roughly 68 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northcentral Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Northcentral Technical College earn around $63,958 in the first couple years of their career. Northcentral Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans.
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Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #19 for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College awarded about 61 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $64,281 early in their careers. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College graduates carry a median of $17,499 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College placed #20 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. About 41 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $61,748. Students borrow a median of $15,329 to complete this degree.
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Bellin College landed the #21 spot for registered nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Green Bay. Bellin College graduates 63% of students within six years. About 64 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Bellin College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bellin College generally make around $86,597. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Bellin College
Waukesha County Technical College placed #22 among the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Pewaukee. There were roughly 54 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Waukesha County Technical College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of $68,434 early in their careers. Waukesha County Technical College graduates carry a median of $23,674 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Waukesha County Technical College
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #23 among the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Stevens Point. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $68,395. Students borrow a median of $18,987 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Mid State Technical College came in at #24 for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 67 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Mid State Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $64,716 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,447 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Mid State Technical College
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay graduates 53% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay awarded about 97 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn around $70,213 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,045.
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Rest of the Top 41 Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong registered nursing education:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 43 schools evaluated.
- 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.
