Public colleges and universities are state-supported institutions of higher learning. State (or county) residents enjoy lower tuition fees at public schools, which can drive considerable cost savings for students. Since public schools reserve a significant number of seats for local residents, the admissions process is often more accessible. Public colleges and universities also have diverse student bodies and large class sizes, providing a range of opportunities for students to pursue their interests.

Wisconsin public nursing programs
Wisconsin has two types of public schools with accredited nursing programs. The state’s network of community and technical colleges provides shorter vocational nursing programs, including the associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) and the certificate in licensed practical nursing (LPN). The University of Wisconsin system, one of the largest public university systems in the country, offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees in registered nursing (RN) at its campuses in Eau Claire, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, and Oshkosh. All of Wisconsin’s public schools offer significant resources and amenities for student use. Several of the universities also host affiliated hospitals on campus that provide students clinical nursing experience.

Career outlook
Graduates of Wisconsin’s public schools can earn attractive nursing pay in several roles. The state’s 10,000 LPNs typically earn $37,000-47,000 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wisconsin’s 56,000 RNs receive average compensation of $63,000 per year, although nurses with baccalaureate education often earn $73,000 or more annually. Newly minted nurses can seek employment with major local healthcare networks like Maxim Healthcare Services and Aurora Healthcare.

To help prospective nurses make an informed choice, we have identified Wisconsin’s best public nursing programs. You’ll find them listed below by major metropolitan area.

Green Bay

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
  • Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Leadership and Management
  • Nurse 1-2-1 Partnership
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
School City Programs offered
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
  • Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Green Bay
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Leadership and Management
  • Nurse 1-2-1 Partnership
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion

Madison

Madison Area Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
  • Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing
University of Wisconsin - Madison
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Baccalaureate PhD
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
School City Programs offered
Madison Area Technical College Madison
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
  • Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing
University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Baccalaureate PhD
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion

Milwaukee

Milwaukee Area Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
  • Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Direct Entry MN
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • MN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Master of Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Baccalaureate PhD
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MN Degree Completion
Waukesha County Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
School City Programs offered
Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
  • Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Direct Entry MN
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • MN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Master of Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Baccalaureate PhD
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MN Degree Completion
Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma

Other Wisconsin cities

Blackhawk Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Chippewa Valley Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Fox Valley Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
  • Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing
Gateway Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Lakeshore Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
  • Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing
Mid-State Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Moraine Park Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Nicolet College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Northcentral Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Nurse Anesthetist
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
  • 1+2+1 Nursing Partnership
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Western Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
School City Programs offered
Blackhawk Technical College Janesville
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Fox Valley Technical College Appleton
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
  • Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing
Gateway Technical College Kenosha
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College Hayward
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Lakeshore Technical College Cleveland
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
  • Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing
Mid-State Technical College Wisconsin Rapids
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Nicolet College Rhinelander
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Northcentral Technical College Wausau
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Fennimore
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Nurse Anesthetist
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point
  • 1+2+1 Nursing Partnership
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Western Technical College La Crosse
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Shell Lake
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate of Completion for Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Technical Diploma
Category: 
Wisconsin