2026 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 43 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Wisconsin
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Gateway Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among registered nursing schools in Wisconsin. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $68,134 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Lakeshore Technical College one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,144 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lakeshore Technical College generally make around $61,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,926, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,499 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $64,281. Set against $17,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Park Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,819, while out-of-state students pay about $7,084. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,025 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,776. That is a strong return on a $17,025 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Milwaukee Area Technical College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 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. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,674 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,434. That is a strong return on a $23,674 median debt.
Nicolet Area Technical College landed the #7 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,793, while out-of-state students pay about $7,066. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,837 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Nicolet Area Technical College generally make around $65,071. Set against $16,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earned the #8 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,876. Registered Nursing graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $61,633 early in their careers. Set against $17,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earned the #9 position for value in registered nursing this year. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fennimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,904, compared with $7,147 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,329. Registered Nursing graduates of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $61,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,329 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #10 for value in registered nursing this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $18,386 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $63,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blackhawk Technical College came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Janesville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,747, 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. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt.
Mid State Technical College came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $64,716. Set against $17,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,151 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $64,532 early in their careers. Set against $23,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,750. 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 placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,937 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $64,274. Set against $19,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #16 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,235 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $66,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. 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 Green Bay ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,045 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,213. Set against $28,045 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #19 for value in registered nursing this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,987. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #20 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $92,233. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #21 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $86,743. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Wauwatosa, Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,469 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $37,278. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bryant And Stratton College Wauwatosa generally make around $70,342. That is a strong return on a $37,278 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #23 among the best values for registered nursing. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $87,284. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Alverno College earned the #24 position for value in registered nursing this year. Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $34,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Alverno College earn a median of $91,109 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,000 median debt. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.
Herzing University Kenosha placed #25 among the best values for registered nursing. Herzing University Kenosha is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $43,985. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $95,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for registered nursing this year:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
