Wisconsin RN-BSN Programs: Affordable & Fast Options for 2025

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Find an Online RN to BSN in Wisconsin that works for you! Use our state listings to explore private & public offerings. Skim through rankings of the best, cheapest, and fastest Wisconsin Online RN to BSN programs. Apply for RN to BSN scholarships from WI nursing organizations. And find answers to FAQs, including details on BSN@Home options.

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in Wisconsin

1. University of Wisconsin-Madison

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Length: 1.5-2.5 Years
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
NCLEX Pass Rates: 95.22%

UW Madison’s 100% Online RN to BSN is part of UW’s statewide BSN@Home program. That means it’s convenient, consistent, and coordinated. For example, General Education (GE) requirements may be taken at other UW System schools, including UW Colleges Online. The School of Nursing is part of the state’s only Academic Health Center, with strong ties to hospitals & medical research hubs. It’s working hard to collaborate with local communities. And it encourages professional development (e.g. health summits).

2. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Program: Online BSN Completion
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Length: ~2 Years
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Minnesota Only
NCLEX Pass Rates: 95.80%

Like UW Madison, UWEC’s Online BSN Completion is a BSN@Home program. You’ll be able to tackle your core RN to BSN courses online, in 7- and 14-week sessions. Once you reach UWEC, you can choose 6 credits of electives and complete your 90-hour clinical project in a range of agencies (e.g. local health department). Some can complete clinical hours virtually, making the RN-BSN 100% online. UWEC’s section of the degree program incorporates two remote synchronous courses, each convening four times per semester. The Department of Nursing in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences has a great track record, with low debt rates for BSN graduates and strong employment numbers for alumni.

3. University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Program: Online BSN Completion (BSN@Home)
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Length: 3 or 4 Semesters (Full-Time); 5 Semesters (Part-Time)
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
NCLEX Pass Rates: 96.34%

Want to compare BSN@Home programs? Check out UWO’s Online BSN Completion. This flexible degree requires no campus visits and it can be completed in pretty short order—core nursing courses are offered in spring, fall, and summer terms. Better yet, General Education (GE) requirements may be taken at other UW System schools, including UW Colleges Online. Student reviews for UWO’s College of Nursing tend to be positive and NCLEX & NP certification pass rates are excellent. If you’re considering graduate work, the College also offers an Online RN to BSN to MSN pathway and a Hybrid BSN to DNP for aspiring FNPs.

4. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Program: Online RN to BSN: UW Flexible Option
RN to BSN Credits: 30-64 (Depending on Credit Transfers)
Length: Self-Paced
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
NCLEX Pass Rates: 86.40%

UWM’s innovative 100% Online RN to BSN is a self-paced program with affordable subscription periods and a bundle of useful electives. Although it’s often playing catch up with UW Madison, the UWM College of Nursing at this public urban university has a sturdy reputation. The College has a large & well-funded research arm and plenty of local clinical connections, including a strong partnership with Advocate Aurora Health. It even runs its own nurse-led Community Health & Wellness Centers. UWM is a popular choice for working RNs—most students in UWM’s program are mid-career.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is an expensive state for Online RN to BSN students. Total tuition costs for BSN@Home programs at UW schools often fall between $13,000-$14,000; prices at private universities can be even higher. When we did the math, there was only one Wisconsin program that could qualify as “cheap.” But it’s an intriguing one!

1. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Program: Online RN to BSN: UW Flexible Option
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
NCLEX Pass Rates: 86.40%

UWM’s 100% Online RN to BSN can be affordable if you choose the UW Flex pathway. In the self-paced All-You-Can-Learn Option, you’re allowed to take as many courses as you’d like within a subscription period. Subscription periods start every month and last for ~12 weeks. Each period, you’ll pay a flat tuition rate with no additional fees. Finish your program in 3 periods (~36 weeks), and you’ll pay less than $7,000. Finish it in 4 periods (~48 weeks), and you’ll pay less than $10,000. UWM’s Flex Tuition Guarantee also means that your tuition will never increase as long as you are an active student.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in Wisconsin

To appear in our Fastest rankings, Online RN to BSN programs in Wisconsin had to be less than one year/3 semesters. You’ll notice that most BSN@Home programs exceed this time limit. However, you do have one unique option. If you’d like to compare UWM with other 100% online opportunities, check out our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Program: Online RN to BSN: UW Flexible Option
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Length: Self-Paced
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
NCLEX Pass Rates: 86.40%

With the UW Flex version of UWM’s 100% Online RN to BSN, you set the pace. You’re allowed to start a subscription period in any month of the year. And the more quickly you finish the BSN, the more affordable it will be. UWM has a pretty generous transfer policy, but you will be required to complete at least 30 credits at the university. All coursework is asynchronous, with no live classes. Keep in mind that BSN students are expected to find a qualified preceptor in their own workplace or community setting for the practicum component of their capstone course.

RN to BSN Scholarships in Wisconsin

Statewide Scholarships for Wisconsin RN to BSN Students

Wisconsin Nursing Organization Scholarships

After you’ve explored national scholarships for RN to BSN students, you can get stuck into applying for statewide awards. We recommend you start your search with WI nursing & healthcare associations:

Wisconsin Community Foundation Scholarships

Wisconsin Community Foundations will also offer scholarships for university education. Many awards are reserved for 4-year undergraduates, but some are open to non-traditional students & adult undergraduates! Here are just a couple of examples:

Find your local Community Foundation in Wisconsin and ask them about scholarship opportunities.

You might also wish to investigate options from community non-profits and altruistic organizations. For example, the Wisconsin American Legion Auxiliary offers a Past Presidents Parley Scholarship for Nursing Students, available to descendants of veterans who reside in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Healthcare System & University Partnerships

Are you currently working in a Wisconsin healthcare system or hospital? Be sure to ask your HR representative about education benefits. You may be eligible for tuition reimbursement, tuition discounts, fee waivers, and a whole lot more.

For instance, Advocate Aurora Health employees can get breaks from:

UWM: Advocate Aurora Health students enrolled in preferred partner programs (including RN to BS pathways) at UWM receive a higher tuition reimbursement rate than those enrolled in other education programs.
UWO: Thanks to the College of Nursing partnership, Advocate Aurora Health employees can take advantage of deferred billing, admissions counseling, and EdAssist benefits.
CUW: Advocate Aurora Health team members receive additional scholarships based on three credit courses in eligible programs (including BSN Completion).

This is just one example—there are plenty more partnerships out there!

CUW has education agreements with a large number of healthcare & hospital partners.
Marian University provides all kinds of benefits & tuition discounts to SSM Health employees, spouses & children.
Mount Mary offers Corporate Partner Tuition Discounts to employees of Aurora Health Care, Columbia St. Mary’s Health System, and other partners.

University Scholarships for Wisconsin RN to BSN Students

You’ll find a lot of institutional aid at UW schools, but you don’t have to choose a public university to find financial aid. CUW has tons of tuition breaks and Viterbo offers BSN Completion Scholarships. Ask the RN to BSN program coordinator for a list of potential awards.

Alverno College

Alverno Scholarships

Concordia University-Wisconsin

Herzing University

Herzing Scholarships & Grants

Marian University Wisconsin

Mount Mary University

Ottawa University

Online Tuition & Financial Aid

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Viterbo University

RN to BSN Requirements in Wisconsin

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. That means Wisconsin colleges & universities will expect you to have—or be in the process of earning—your RN license. If you’re currently finishing up an associate degree program, you may have a bit of leeway. For example, UW Madison allows students to earn their RN license within the first semester of its Online RN to BSN.

The Wisconsin Board of Nursing can answer any questions you may have about RN licensure within the state.
It also posts NCLEX Pass Rates for pre-licensure programs. Although pass rates don’t apply to RN to BSN degrees, we like to use them as a quality benchmark. Avoid any WI school with consistently poor results.

State Authorization: Do you live out-of-state? Be sure to check the Admissions requirements before you apply. Many Wisconsin schools have limitations on who they can accept. For example, Marian accepts RNs from a number of states, but there are exceptions. See the State Authorization Map.

Wisconsin Online RN to BSN Programs: FAQs

What is the University of Wisconsin’s BSN@Home?

BSN@Home is a joint effort of six nursing programs in the University of Wisconsin System: UW Eau Claire, UW Green Bay, UW Madison, UW Milwaukee, UW Oshkosh, and UW Stevens Point.

All of these UW schools have agreed to offer Online BSN Completion programs that have a similar framework and a shared core curriculum of upper-level nursing credits.
However, each UW school has the freedom to tailor their BSN@Home offering with electives, unique coursework, and additional admissions requirements. See the comparison chart for a helpful overview of the differences.

All BSN@Home choices are CCNE-accredited, so you can truly have your pick of schools. Some programs are hybrid; some are 100% online.

Can I Choose a “No Clinicals” Online RN to BSN in Wisconsin?

Thanks to CCNE and ACEN regulations regarding BSN programs, practicums are always included in RN to BSN degrees. Even 100% online degrees will contain on-the-ground elements. Fortunately, clinicals at the BSN-level are different to clinicals at the ADN or diploma level. For example:

In Marian’s Online RN to BSN, you’ll tackle a Population Health Experiential Learning course that requires 90 hours of direct community clinical contact in a site close to your home.
In Viterbo’s Online BSN Completion, you’ll complete 24 hours of clinical experience with a public health registered nurse. Your instructor will help you find a site near your location.
In UWM’s Online RN to BSN: UW Flexible Option, you’ll be expected to create a clinical project and find a qualified preceptor in your workplace or another setting for your capstone course.

Are There Any 100% Online RN to BSN Programs in Wisconsin?

Absolutely. Many Wisconsin universities & colleges in our state listings offer 100% programs, with no campus requirements.

Are you considering BSN@Home options? Check the program page and BSN@Home comparison chart to get a sense of your options:

Some UW programs are 100% online (e.g. UWO).
Some UW programs have hybrid coursework (e.g. UWEC & UW Stevens Point).

Do I Need Statistics to Apply for Wisconsin Online RN to BSN Programs?

Not necessarily. Some Wisconsin schools may allow you to take statistics as “co-requisite” while you are completing your RN to BSN. You’ll usually find a list of prerequisites under the Admissions requirements—we’ve included links in our state listings. Feel free to ask the RN to BSN program coordinator for help.

Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in Wisconsin?

Yes! Wisconsin has plenty of options for RNs who are interested in the MSN, but might need a BSN for employment purposes. Examples include:

Herzing’s Online RN to BSN to MSN
UWO’s RN to BSN to MSN

In fact, many of the University of Wisconsin’s BSN@Home programs will help you get a jump-start on graduate education. For example:

UWGB’s BSN-MSN Accelerated Leadership Option allows qualified undergraduate students to enroll in 3 specific graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate.
UWEC’s RN/BSN/MSN Option enables BSN students to take up to 9 credits of MSN-level courses (e.g. Nursing Research and Leadership in Nursing).