Accredited nursing programs in Wisconsin
41 schools in Wisconsin have at least one nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE: 24 BSN, 18 ADN, 8 LPN, 13 MSN programs. 1 holds both accreditors across their programs. For the bachelor’s degree, 24 of 24 listings are CCNE and 0 are ACEN.
- Bachelor's programs
- 24
- 0 ACEN, 24 CCNE
- Associate programs
- 18
- 18 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Practical programs
- 8
- 8 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Master's programs
- 13
- 0 ACEN, 13 CCNE
Accredited schools in Wisconsin
| School | City | Type | BSN | ADN | LPN | MSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alverno College | Milwaukee | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Bellin College | Green Bay | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Blackhawk Technical College | Janesville | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa | Wauwatosa | Private | CCNE | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Carroll University | Waukesha | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Carthage College | Kenosha | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | Eau Claire | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin | Mequon | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Edgewood University | Madison | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Gateway Technical College | Kenosha | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Herzing University-Brookfield | Brookfield | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Herzing University-Kenosha | Kenosha | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Herzing University-Madison | Madison | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University | Hayward | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Lakeland University | Plymouth | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Lakeshore Technical College | Cleveland | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Madison Area Technical College | Madison | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Maranatha Baptist University | Watertown | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Marian University | Fond Du Lac | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Marquette University | Milwaukee | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Mid-State Technical College | Wisconsin Rapids | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Milwaukee School of Engineering | Milwaukee | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Moraine Park Technical College | Fond du Lac | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Mount Mary University | Milwaukee | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Nicolet Area Technical College | Rhinelander | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Northcentral Technical College | Wausau | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Northwood Technical College | Rice Lake | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | Fennimore | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | Eau Claire | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | Green Bay | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Milwaukee | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | Oshkosh | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | Stevens Point | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Viterbo University | La Crosse | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Western Technical College | La Crosse | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Wisconsin Lutheran College | Milwaukee | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
Programs listed as accredited in the ACEN directory (opens in a new tab) and the CCNE directory (opens in a new tab), collected November 2026 and matched to schools by name and city. Programs in candidacy are not counted. A dash means no accredited program at that level was matched.
Programs with an ACEN note
ACEN publishes a note beside some listings. The wording below is ACEN’s own; open the listing for what it means for the program.
- Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, ADN: With Conditions. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
What accreditation means in Wisconsin
Two separate approvals apply to a nursing program. The Wisconsin board of nursing approves programs so their graduates can sit the NCLEX. Programmatic accreditation from ACEN or CCNE is voluntary and is judged by a national peer body.
Bachelor's programs are the most common accredited level here, with 24. For bachelor’s degrees, 24 of 27 schools reporting graduates to the federal government matched an accredited program (89%). Compare Wisconsin BSN programs by NCLEX pass rate, cost and pay.
Common questions
How many nursing schools in Wisconsin are accredited?
We matched 41 Wisconsin schools to at least one accredited nursing program in the ACEN and CCNE directories: 24 BSN, 18 ADN, 8 LPN, 13 MSN. Schools with several programs appear once.
What is the difference between ACEN and CCNE?
ACEN accredits nursing programs at every level, from practical nursing to doctorates. CCNE accredits bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Both are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Do I need an accredited program to become a nurse in Wisconsin?
Not always. The state board of nursing approves programs for licensure, and that is a separate approval from ACEN or CCNE accreditation. Accreditation still matters for transferring credits, federal and employer tuition benefits, and entry to graduate programs.
Are all Wisconsin bachelor’s programs accredited?
24 of the 27 Wisconsin schools that report nursing bachelor’s graduates to the federal government matched an accredited listing. A school that does not match may be new, may be listed under another name, or may lack accreditation, so check the accreditor’s own directory before you apply.