Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin
- 26
- Schools
- $56,899
- Avg. Earnings
- 59%
- Avg. Graduation
- $21,003
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,038
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $32,568 at the low end to $89,070 at the top. That 2.7× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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University of Wisconsin-Parkside offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $51,129 against $11,772 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is University of Wisconsin-Parkside, at $11,772 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates 89% of its students, well above the 59% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Bellin College: graduates owe only 0.24× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Viterbo University ($55,660 earnings), not the highest earner, Milwaukee School of Engineering ($89,070). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. University of Wisconsin-Parkside ($11,772/yr) and Bellin College ($37,408/yr) produce graduates earning $51,129 and $76,222 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $25,636 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, University of Wisconsin-Parkside outperforms Milwaukee School of Engineering: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with University of Wisconsin-Parkside and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $56K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Viterbo University #1 overall | $55,660 ▼ -2% vs avg | $21,260 | 67% | 80 |
| 2 Carroll University #2 overall | $58,009 ▲ +2% vs avg | $15,193 | 70% | 77 |
| 3 Edgewood University #3 overall | $59,728 ▲ +5% vs avg | $26,113 | 64% | 77 |
| $48,745 ▼ -14% vs avg | $20,144 | 50% | 75 | |
| $56,950 ▲ +0% vs avg | $26,565 | 62% | 75 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin
This analysis ranks 26 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $56,899 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 59% and an average net price of $21,003.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Wisconsin-Parkside — Net Price: $11,772 | Graduation Rate: 40%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Wisconsin-Madison — 89% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Milwaukee School of Engineering — Median alumni earnings: $89,070
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$55,269
Median earnings (10yr)
63%
Median graduation rate
$20,738
Median net price
1.2%
Avg. mobility rate
The healthcare workforce pipeline starts in classrooms and clinical rotations like the ones behind this list. An aging population, persistent nursing shortages, and rising demand for clinical services have made these programs essential infrastructure. The strongest ones stand out on clinical partnerships and licensure outcomes, the two factors that translate most directly into hiring.
Across the 26 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $55,269 ten years after they first enrolled, about $7,269 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 63%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $20,738 a year, with about $23,470 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 30% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.2%.
One pattern runs through this list: programs with deep clinical partnerships move their graduates into the workforce faster. Viterbo University tops the ranking, and the median graduate here earns $55,269 ten years after enrollment. Demand outruns supply in this field, so the bottleneck is training capacity and credential attainment rather than hiring.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Viterbo University lands at #1 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $55,660 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,260 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Carroll University lands at #2 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $58,009 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,193 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Edgewood University lands at #3 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $59,728 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,113 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Mount Mary University lands at #4 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $48,745 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,144 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Carthage College lands at #5 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $56,950 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,565 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Marquette University lands at #6 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $78,257 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,487 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Milwaukee School of Engineering lands at #7 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $89,070 a decade after enrolling, 57% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,453 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Wisconsin Lutheran College lands at #8 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $54,664 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,245 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Alverno College lands at #9 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $53,145 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,540 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
University of Wisconsin-Madison lands at #10 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $73,792 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,354 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Maranatha Baptist University lands at #11 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $45,593 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,005 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Marian University lands at #12 with a 69/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $53,501 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,937 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Ripon College lands at #13 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $54,902 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,216 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire lands at #14 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $58,561 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,550 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh lands at #15 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (69/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $55,548 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,305 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Concordia University-Wisconsin lands at #16 with a 67/100 composite, led by academic quality (76/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (29/100). Graduates earn a median $56,075 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $36,201 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay lands at #17 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $52,528 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,369 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse lands at #18 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $60,378 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,210 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Stevens Point, WI · 92% accepted · $14,559 net
Why it ranks #19
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point lands at #19 with a 64/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $52,021 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,559 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Lakeland University lands at #20 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $55,961 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,212 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee lands at #21 with a 62/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (66/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $54,990 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,014 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
University of Wisconsin-Parkside lands at #22 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $51,129 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,772 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
River Falls, WI · 82% accepted · $14,054 net
Why it ranks #23
University of Wisconsin-River Falls lands at #23 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $54,458 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,054 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Herzing University-Kenosha lands at #24 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (60/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $36,909 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,066 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa lands at #25 with a 57/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (52/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $32,568 a decade after enrolling, 43% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,858 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Bellin College lands at #26 with a 57/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (16/100). Graduates earn a median $76,222 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,408 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 26 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Nursing is a vital field that combines compassion with technical expertise, and choosing the right program is crucial for aspiring nurses. In Wisconsin, several colleges stand out for their nursing programs, offering students a combination of strong outcomes and dedicated training. For instance, graduates from these programs can expect to earn an average of $54,695 within a few years of completing their degrees.
The best nursing colleges in Wisconsin distinguish themselves through key metrics like graduation rates, earnings after graduation, debt levels, and overall program concentration. This list showcases schools that excel in these areas, reflecting their commitment to student success and career readiness. As you explore the rankings, consider how each institution balances these factors to support its students.
Take the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Bellin College, for example. UW-Madison graduates earn about $73,792 annually, with a graduation rate of 89%, while Bellin College's graduates earn slightly more at $76,222, but with a lower graduation rate of 68%. This highlights the tradeoff between potential earnings and program completion—an important consideration as you weigh your options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 12 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.2%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Alverno College leads the group at 2.7%, with Milwaukee School of Engineering (1.9%) and Ripon College (1.5%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 6.1% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Alverno College enrolls the most, at 15%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 23.6% across the list, peaking at 50.1% at Milwaukee School of Engineering.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Edgewood University is highest at 1.77.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When we look closely at the data, a clear pattern emerges: higher earnings often correlate with stronger graduation rates. For example, the University of Wisconsin-Madison not only leads in graduation rates at 89%, but also offers graduates a solid average earning of $73,792. In contrast, while Bellin College graduates earn slightly more at $76,222, their lower graduation rate of 68% suggests that not all students complete their program, which could affect long-term career outcomes.
As you sift through these 28 programs, it’s essential to align the data with your own priorities. Consider factors like location, campus environment, and financial implications. A school with a higher net price might seem daunting, but if it offers stronger outcomes and support, it could be worth the investment. Weigh these numbers against what you personally value in your education and career path.
Ultimately, the choice of a nursing program can significantly impact your future. These figures represent not just numbers, but real lives and careers. Investing in a college education can lay the foundation for a stable life, reflected in the earnings potential and employment prospects that come with a nursing degree. Your decision today shapes not only your future but also the quality of care you will provide to others.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin ranking? +
Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $55,660 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 67% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Milwaukee School of Engineering posts the highest median earnings on this list: $89,070 ten years after enrollment, well above the $56,899 average across the 26 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of Wisconsin-Parkside leads: graduates earn a median $51,129 against net price of about $11,772 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Wisconsin-Madison has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 89%, compared with a 59% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $21,003 a year across the 26 ranked schools with cost data. University of Wisconsin-Parkside is among the most affordable at roughly $11,772. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 26 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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