Best Online Nursing Programs in Milwaukee, WI (2026)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a population of about 569,756. The city’s median household income is $51,888 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 26.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Milwaukee. In Wisconsin, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Midwife at a median $135,360 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Milwaukee
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Milwaukee city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette University | Milwaukee, WI | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee, WI | 2.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Milwaukee School of Engineering | Milwaukee, WI | 3.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | 4.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa | Wauwatosa, WI | 4.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Wisconsin schools on the Wisconsin nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Milwaukee
Milwaukee is part of the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area (BLS area code 33340). 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 | $83,990 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $86,677 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,320 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $64,314 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | WI statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $135,360 | WI statewide | $139,690 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,760 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $133,911 |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,370 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $45,789 |
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.
Milwaukee at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,888 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 26.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Milwaukee County | 42,351 workers, 510 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Milwaukee-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Wauwatosa, WI – 3.4 mi away (47,945 pop)
- West Allis, WI – 5.1 mi away (60,087 pop)
- Greenfield, WI – 7.3 mi away (36,858 pop)
- Brookfield, WI – 7.9 mi away (38,016 pop)
- Menomonee Falls, WI – 9.8 mi away (36,769 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Milwaukee, WI?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Milwaukee. The closest is Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI (2.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa (4.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Milwaukee?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Milwaukee are: Nurse Midwife ($135,360), Nurse Practitioner ($129,760), Registered Nurse ($83,990). 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 Wauwatosa instead of Milwaukee?
Wauwatosa, WI is 3.4 miles from Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee an affordable place to study nursing?
Milwaukee’s median household income of $51,888 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Milwaukee 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.