RN programs in Wisconsin
20 RN (registered nurse) programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free
17 schools offer these RN programs, and Wisconsin has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.
Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care and teach patients and their families about health conditions. To work as one, you graduate from an approved nursing program (a bachelor's or associate degree in nursing, or a hospital diploma) and pass a licensing exam for your state nursing license.1 The exam is the NCLEX-RN from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, which the nursing boards of every state, DC and four US territories use in deciding who gets a license.2
In Wisconsin, 1 of the 20 programs takes students without a high school diploma, 15 ask for a diploma or equivalent, 3 ask for earlier courses first and 1 asks for a bachelor's degree.
By kind, the 20 programs here are RN associate degree (ADN, 15 programs), LPN to RN bridge (associate degree, 3 programs), RN bachelor's degree (BSN, 1 program) and accelerated RN bachelor's degree (for graduates, 1 program).
See the 20 programsHow much do RN programs cost in Wisconsin?
- Two-year degrees (18 programs)
- $10,106 to $12,736most of them, usually 64 to 80 weeks long
- Bachelor's degrees (2 programs)
- $52,280 to $82,200all 2 with a price
What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.
In the typical program
- Finished the program
- 49%
- Working 6 months later
- 79%
- Earned a year, estimated
- about $44,200
- Length
- 64 to 85 weeks
Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Wisconsin may also offer RN programs. How these figures are made
All 20 RN programs in Wisconsin approved for WIOA funding
Filters
20 programs
Registered Nursing
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$34,800Price if you pay yourself$9,15217 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Registered Nursing at Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeMore details about Registered Nursing at Milwaukee Area Technical College
- Finished
- 15%
- Working at 6 months
- 80%
- Earned in a quarter
- $8,692
- Length
- 64 weeks, 19 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $5,010
- Students counted
- 5,727
- Earned a year, estimated
- $34,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $9,152
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 17
Nursing - Associate Degree
Gateway Technical College
Kenosha
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$44,200Price if you pay yourself$12,07833 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Nursing - Associate Degree at Gateway Technical CollegeMore details about Nursing - Associate Degree at Gateway Technical College
- Finished
- 40%
- Working at 6 months
- 79%
- Earned in a quarter
- $11,042
- Length
- 70 weeks, 35 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 3,137
- Earned a year, estimated
- $44,200
- Price if you pay yourself
- $12,078
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 33
Associate Degree Nursing (R.N.)
Madison Area Technical College
Madison
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$57,400Price if you pay yourself$12,791126 students trained with WIOA funding
School website, Associate Degree Nursing (R.N.) at Madison Area Technical CollegeMore details about Associate Degree Nursing (R.N.) at Madison Area Technical College
- Finished
- 56%
- Working at 6 months
- 83%
- Earned in a quarter
- $14,338
- Length
- 64 weeks, 20 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 2,384
- Earned a year, estimated
- $57,400
- Price if you pay yourself
- $12,791
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 126
Nursing Associate Degree
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$50,700Price if you pay yourself$12,56986 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Nursing Associate Degree at Northeast Wisconsin Technical CollegeMore details about Nursing Associate Degree at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
- Finished
- 48%
- Working at 6 months
- 87%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,684
- Length
- 101 weeks, 16 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,500
- Students counted
- 2,366
- Earned a year, estimated
- $50,700
- Price if you pay yourself
- $12,569
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 86
Nursing
Western Technical College
La Crosse
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$40,100Price if you pay yourself$10,83442 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Nursing at Western Technical CollegeMore details about Nursing at Western Technical College
- Finished
- 39%
- Working at 6 months
- 75%
- Earned in a quarter
- $10,021
- Length
- 60 weeks, 27 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 1,864
- Earned a year, estimated
- $40,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $10,834
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 42
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Herzing University
Menomonee Falls
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$10,400Price if you pay yourself$82,2004 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Herzing UniversityMore details about Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Herzing University
- Finished
- 68%
- Working at 6 months
- 69%
- Earned in a quarter
- $2,610
- Length
- 144 weeks, 36 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $3,960
- Students counted
- 1,757
- Earned a year, estimated
- $10,400
- Price if you pay yourself
- $82,200
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 4
Nursing
Moraine Park Technical College
Fond du Lac
Accredited school
Education and courses
Earned a year, estimated$44,200Price if you pay yourself$9,94141 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Nursing at Moraine Park Technical CollegeMore details about Nursing at Moraine Park Technical College
- Finished
- 46%
- Working at 6 months
- 88%
- Earned in a quarter
- $11,053
- Length
- Not reported
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 1,619
- Earned a year, estimated
- $44,200
- Price if you pay yourself
- $9,941
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 41
Nursing Associate Degree
Mid-State Technical College
Wisconsin Rapids
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$40,600Price if you pay yourself$12,98229 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Nursing Associate Degree at Mid-State Technical CollegeMore details about Nursing Associate Degree at Mid-State Technical College
- Finished
- 28%
- Working at 6 months
- 81%
- Earned in a quarter
- $10,142
- Length
- 80 weeks, 14 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $3,359
- Students counted
- 1,535
- Earned a year, estimated
- $40,600
- Price if you pay yourself
- $12,982
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 29
Nursing
Blackhawk Technical College
Janesville
Accredited school
Education and courses
Earned a year, estimated$36,500Price if you pay yourself$10,90219 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Nursing at Blackhawk Technical CollegeMore details about Nursing at Blackhawk Technical College
- Finished
- 31%
- Working at 6 months
- 71%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,117
- Length
- 64 weeks, 20 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 1,382
- Earned a year, estimated
- $36,500
- Price if you pay yourself
- $10,902
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 19
Nursing
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Eau Claire
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$64,700Price if you pay yourself$13,84733 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Nursing at Chippewa Valley Technical CollegeMore details about Nursing at Chippewa Valley Technical College
- Finished
- 85%
- Working at 6 months
- 77%
- Earned in a quarter
- $16,176
- Length
- 64 weeks, 28 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,196
- Students counted
- 1,197
- Earned a year, estimated
- $64,700
- Price if you pay yourself
- $13,847
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 33
Nursing
Northcentral Technical College
Wausau
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$48,800Price if you pay yourself$11,56815 students trained with WIOA funding
More details about Nursing at Northcentral Technical College
- Finished
- 49%
- Working at 6 months
- 88%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,198
- Length
- 64 weeks, 27 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 1,116
- Earned a year, estimated
- $48,800
- Price if you pay yourself
- $11,568
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 15
Nursing
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Fennimore
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$55,900Price if you pay yourself$10,6008 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Nursing at Southwest Wisconsin Technical CollegeMore details about Nursing at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
- Finished
- 66%
- Working at 6 months
- 86%
- Earned in a quarter
- $13,973
- Length
- 64 weeks, 40 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 504
- Earned a year, estimated
- $55,900
- Price if you pay yourself
- $10,600
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 8
Nursing
Bay de Noc Community College
Escanaba, MI
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Classes are outside Wisconsin; Wisconsin approved the program for its funding.
Earned a year, estimated$15,000Price if you pay yourself$18,543Program website, Nursing at Bay de Noc Community CollegeMore details about Nursing at Bay de Noc Community College
- Finished
- 51%
- Working at 6 months
- 37%
- Earned in a quarter
- $3,757
- Length
- 64 weeks, 23 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $3,316
- Students counted
- 227
- Earned a year, estimated
- $15,000
- Price if you pay yourself
- $18,543
Associate Degree Nursing - RN Program
Gogebic Community College
Ironwood, MI
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Classes are outside Wisconsin; Wisconsin approved the program for its funding.
Earned a year, estimated$59,300Price if you pay yourself$20,460Program website, Associate Degree Nursing - RN Program at Gogebic Community CollegeMore details about Associate Degree Nursing - RN Program at Gogebic Community College
- Finished
- 69%
- Working at 6 months
- 15%
- Earned in a quarter
- $14,833
- Length
- 80 weeks, 13 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,509
- Students counted
- 131
- Earned a year, estimated
- $59,300
- Price if you pay yourself
- $20,460
Nursing Accelerated Bachelor of Science 2nd Degree
Concordia University Wisconsin
Mequon
Accredited school
Bachelor's degree
Earned a year, estimated$39,500Price if you pay yourself$52,280Program website, Nursing Accelerated Bachelor of Science 2nd Degree at Concordia University WisconsinMore details about Nursing Accelerated Bachelor of Science 2nd Degree at Concordia University Wisconsin
- Finished
- 93%
- Working at 6 months
- 29%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,869
- Length
- 56 weeks, 20 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 54
- Earned a year, estimated
- $39,500
- Price if you pay yourself
- $52,280
Nursing - Associate Degree
Northwood Technical College
Rice Lake
Accredited school
Education and courses
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$12,56829 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Nursing - Associate Degree at Northwood Technical CollegeMore details about Nursing - Associate Degree at Northwood Technical College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 96 weeks, 28 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $925
- Students counted
- 29
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $12,568
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 29
Nursing Bridge from Licensed Practical Nursing
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$5,76113 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Nursing Bridge from Licensed Practical Nursing at Northeast Wisconsin Technical CollegeMore details about Nursing Bridge from Licensed Practical Nursing at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 90 weeks, 8 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,900
- Students counted
- 13
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $5,761
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 13
Nursing Bridge from Paramedic
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$7,208Program website, Nursing Bridge from Paramedic at Northeast Wisconsin Technical CollegeMore details about Nursing Bridge from Paramedic at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 64 weeks, 10 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $925
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $7,208
Practical Nursing - LPN-RN Educational Progression
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$9,152Program website, Practical Nursing - LPN-RN Educational Progression at Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeMore details about Practical Nursing - LPN-RN Educational Progression at Milwaukee Area Technical College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 64 weeks, 19 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $5,010
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $9,152
Associate Degree in Nursing
Carroll University
Waukesha
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$12,540Program website, Associate Degree in Nursing at Carroll UniversityMore details about Associate Degree in Nursing at Carroll University
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 104 weeks, 30 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,000
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $12,540
No programs match these filters.
How to pay for RN programs in Wisconsin
WIOA funding can pay for RN programs in Wisconsin
Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?
Financial aid and grants for RN programs
Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78
GI Bill for RN programs
Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9
The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.
LPN or RN in Wisconsin?
The programs Wisconsin approved for workforce funding in each, side by side. The figures are the typical program's, as on the two pages.
| LPN | RNthis page | |
|---|---|---|
| Programs | 9 at 8 schools | 20 at 17 schools |
| Most cost, if you pay yourself | $4,576 to $6,602 | $10,435 to $13,198 |
| Length | 44 to 64 weeks | 64 to 85 weeks |
| Finished the program | 60% | 49% |
| Working 6 months later | 81% | 79% |
| Earned a year, estimated | about $30,600 | about $44,200 |
| Trained with WIOA funding | at least 53 people | at least 495 people |
Already working as an LPN? 3 of the 20 RN programs in Wisconsin are LPN-to-RN bridge programs, which lead to a two-year degree.
LPN vs RN nationwide: what each job does, the license exams and how to get from one to the other
Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024. Earnings are the second quarter after leaving the program, times four.
Quick facts: RN programs in Wisconsin
- programs with a price cost under $10,000
- 5 of 20
- lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
- 13th of 39
- other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
- 3 of 31
- RN programs here, against the typical state's 17
- 20 vs 17
State comparisons use the same figures as the RN programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).
RN programs in Milwaukee, Green Bay, Kenosha and other Wisconsin cities
Choosing an area filters the program list above. 6 more programs are in 6 other areas, 2 in smaller cities and towns.
Other training in Wisconsin
How RN programs compare with the rest of nursing and patient care: Nursing and patient care programs in Wisconsin
- CDL training35 programs
- CNA classes36 programs
- Medical assistant training33 programs
- Phlebotomy training18 programs
- Welding classes53 programs
- HVAC training25 programs
- Medical billing and coding training28 programs
- LPN programs9 programs
- EMT classes53 programs
- Electrician training17 programs
- Dental assistant programs18 programs
- Auto mechanic classes43 programs
- Pharmacy technician training12 programs
- Plumbing school9 programs
- CNC machinist training40 programs
- Carpentry classes17 programs
- Heavy equipment operator training4 programs
- Diesel mechanic training20 programs
- Cybersecurity training21 programs
- IT training70 programs
- Cosmetology school13 programs
- Barber school6 programs
- Esthetician school7 programs
- Nail tech school9 programs
- EKG technician programs2 programs
- Massage therapy school7 programs
- Paralegal programs16 programs
- Fire academy14 programs
- Police academy13 programs
- Surgical tech programs14 programs
- Radiology tech programs8 programs
- Culinary school34 programs
- Home health aide training20 programs
- PTA programs5 programs
- Medical administrative assistant training26 programs
- Human resources training36 programs
- Medication aide training2 programs
- Industrial maintenance technician training63 programs
- Early childhood education programs51 programs
- Aircraft mechanic school2 programs
- Supply chain and logistics training27 programs
- Hospitality management programs20 programs
- Addiction counselor training15 programs
- Community health worker training3 programs
- Coding and software development courses30 programs
- Lineman school8 programs
- Sterile processing technician training2 programs
- Sonography school4 programs
- Data analytics courses12 programs
- Administrative assistant training53 programs
- Respiratory therapy programs7 programs
- Medical lab technician programs13 programs
- AutoCAD and drafting courses22 programs
- Digital marketing courses23 programs
- Web and graphic design courses29 programs
- Health information technology programs15 programs
- Vet tech programs9 programs
- Real estate school6 programs
- Security guard training3 programs
- OTA programs4 programs
- Crane operator training4 programs
- Interpreter and translator training2 programs
- Forklift certification1 program
- Personal trainer certification2 programs
- Healthcare administration programs8 programs
- Customer service training11 programs
- Flight school2 programs
- Cardiovascular technology programs1 program
- Human services programs10 programs
- Manufacturing technician training33 programs
- Electronics technician training19 programs
- Business administration programs79 programs
- Criminal justice programs22 programs
- Teacher assistant certification17 programs
- Auto body repair classes10 programs
- Solar and wind technician training6 programs
- Water treatment operator training2 programs
- OSHA safety training7 programs
- Dialysis technician training1 program
- Optician training3 programs
- Masonry training3 programs
- Insurance license courses1 program
- Construction training programs12 programs
- Dental hygiene programs7 programs
- Accounting and bookkeeping classes51 programs
- Project management certification21 programs
Where the Wisconsin RN program numbers come from
Which Wisconsin RN programs are on this list?
These are the RN programs Wisconsin approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Wisconsin offers.
How the prices and results of Wisconsin RN programs are measured
Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.
Sources for the facts about RN programs in Wisconsin
Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing: U.S. Members
- US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
- US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
- Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
- US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
- US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
- US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List