Online RN to BSN Programs in Wisconsin

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: No
• 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

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).