Best Online Nursing Programs in Madison, WI (2026)
Madison, Wisconsin has a population of about 275,568. The city’s median household income is $76,983 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 59.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Madison. In Wisconsin, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $135,360 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Madison
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Madison city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Edgewood College | Madison, WI | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Madison Area Technical College | Madison, WI | 4.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Herzing University-Madison | Madison, WI | 6.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Blackhawk Technical College | Janesville, WI | 33.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Wisconsin schools on the Wisconsin nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Madison
Madison is part of the Madison, WI metro area (BLS area code 31540). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Wisconsin statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $89,980 | Madison, WI | $92,477 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,110 | Madison, WI | $64,861 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | WI statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $135,360 | WI statewide | $139,116 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,200 | Madison, WI | $137,924 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,620 | Madison, WI | $44,830 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Madison at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,983 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 59.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Dane County | 12,201 workers, 224 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Madison-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Fitchburg, WI – 6.8 mi away (28,875 pop)
- Sun Prairie, WI – 10.6 mi away (32,820 pop)
- Fort Atkinson, WI – 29.7 mi away (21,399 pop)
- Janesville, WI – 33.4 mi away (70,299 pop)
- Watertown, WI – 34.3 mi away (23,304 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Madison, WI?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Madison. The closest is University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, WI (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Blackhawk Technical College (33.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Madison?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Madison are: Nurse Midwife ($135,360), Nurse Practitioner ($134,200), Registered Nurse ($89,980). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Wisconsin statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Fitchburg instead of Madison?
Fitchburg, WI is 6.8 miles from Madison and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Madison an affordable place to study nursing?
Madison’s median household income of $76,983 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Madison while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Wisconsin public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.