Wisconsin NP Programs at a Glance
| State practice authority | Reduced Practice – NPs require collaborative agreement with a physician |
| Wisconsin Board of Nursing | Wisconsin Board of Nursing |
| Wisconsin median NP wage | ~$120,000 (Payscale/BLS, 2024). See Wisconsin state OES tables for current detail. |
| National median NP wage | $129,210/year (BLS, May 2024) |
| Projected NP job growth | 46% (2023–2033) nationally – one of the fastest-growing professions |
| Primary accreditors | CCNE · ACEN |
| Common NP specialty tracks | FNP, AGNP (Primary/Acute), PMHNP, PNP, WHNP, NNP |
| Typical program length | 2–3 years (MSN-NP) or 3–4 years (BSN-to-DNP), full-time post-BSN |
Our Editorial Process
This guide is written by a credentialed nurse and reviewed against source-of-truth references at least annually. Program accreditation is verified against the CCNE program directory and ACEN directory. Wisconsin licensure information is verified against the Wisconsin Board of Nursing. Salary and growth figures come directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Wisconsin data. Read our full editorial standards.
2026 Updates for Wisconsin NP Programs
- Wisconsin practice authority. Wisconsin is a Reduced Practice authority state. NPs can practice but require a collaborative agreement with a physician for certain functions (often including prescribing). Legislative efforts to expand NP scope toward full practice authority continue at the state level.
- BLS data refresh (May 2024 OES). National median NP wage is now $129,210; Wisconsin-specific data is published in the Wisconsin state OES tables.
- Projected NP job growth. 46% projected employment growth from 2023 to 2033 nationally – one of the fastest-growing occupations the BLS tracks.
- AACN 2025 Position Statement. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reaffirmed the DNP as the preferred terminal degree for advanced practice. BSN-to-DNP and post-master’s DNP pathways continue to be the dominant educational routes for new NPs in Wisconsin.
- Telehealth permanence. Federal and state telehealth flexibilities introduced during 2020 have largely been made permanent, expanding remote NP roles across primary care, behavioral health, and chronic disease management.
- PMHNP demand surge. Mental health workforce shortages are particularly acute nationwide; PMHNP-specific job postings have outpaced general NP postings consistently. See our PMHNP career guide.
By 2030, the United States is projected to be short 120,000 doctors. Over 2,000 of these are projected to be in Wisconsin, with primary care alone being short 942 providers. These shortages are likely to affect low-income citizens disproportionately. Currently, more than 1.7 million state residents live in a health professional shortage area, meaning there are 3,500 or more patients for every provider.
In Wisconsin, nurse practitioners (NPs) can help close these critical care gaps. NPs in this state must work under the supervision of a physician, assessing and diagnosing patients, ordering tests, prescribing medications, and developing treatment plans.
Wisconsin has multiple opportunities for those wishing to pursue this advanced practice role. Here are some of the NP programs offered by the colleges and universities in the Badger State.
Program Overview:
Alverno College is a liberal arts college in Milwaukee based in the Catholic Franciscan faith. It offers two options for nurses wishing to pursue a career as FNPs. The BSN to FNP MSN program is 39 credits with 600 in-person clinical hours in primary care settings. Classes are offered in four-hour blocks on Friday evenings or on Saturday mornings or afternoons with a mix of online, hybrid, and in-person courses. The Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to FNP option offers classes in the same timeframe and formats.
Program Overview:
Founded in 1909, Bellin College is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution that has been educating healthcare professionals for more than 115 years. It features a focused, extensive curriculum rooted in hands-on experience and prepares students to meet the changing demands of healthcare.
Bellin offers two FNP options. The 47-credit BSN to FNP MSN program requires 680 clinical hours and can be completed full or part-time. Note that a prerequisite statistics and health assessment course are required. The school provides clinical placements, but students can request a specific clinical site by contacting the program director. Bellin also offers a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to FNP that can be completed in 24 to 36 months. The exact requirements will depend on previous education and work experience.
Program Overview:
Concordia University is a Christian university that has been serving Wisconsin since 1881. The university’s School of Nursing offers multiple options for those seeking an NP. Nurses with a BSN can choose the BSN to FNP MSN program or the BSN to AGNP Primary care MSN program. Both are 41 credits and require 750 in-person clinical hours. Overall, these programs have a 96% to 100% pass rate on the national certification exams.
There are also two post-master’s options available: a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to FNP and a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP. At Concordia, these programs are called Certificate After Graduate Education in Nursing (CAGE) programs and allow those with non-clinical MSNs to get the skills and education they need to practice as NPs. These programs are both 31 credits taught primarily online, though a two-week on-campus residency and in-person clinical are required.
Program Overview:
At the Henry Predolin School at Edgewood College, nurses can complete the BSN to FNP MSN track with 45 credits, and the BSN to AGNP Primary Care track with 48 credits. Most of the coursework is presented online, though some classes will require on-campus meetings. Both programs also require 750 hours of hands-on clinical hours. Courses are generally offered in eight-week sessions, and most students finish the programs in three years.
Program Overview:
The Herzing University School of Nursing has campuses in Brookfield, Kenosha, and Madison and offers multiple tracks for those wishing to pursue a career as an NP. It also offers some of the few programs in the state that allow an RN with an associate’s or diploma to pursue an MSN without first completing a BSN. Plus, Herzing offers MSN, DNP, and post-graduate certificates, too.
There are 16 options at Herzing: RN to FNP, BSN to FNP, BSN to DNP FNP, RN to AGNP Acute, BSN to AGNP Acute, BSN to DNP AGNP Acute, RN to AGNP Primary, BSN to AGNP Primary, BSN to DNP AGNP Primary, RN to PNP, BSN to PNP, BSN to DNP PNP, Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to FNP, Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Acute, Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Primary, Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP. All of these programs offer courses primarily online, though in-person clinicals are required for each program and some may also have on-campus requirements.
Program Overview:
Marquette University in Milwaukee’s NP nursing programs offer a variety of in-person, hybrid, and online courses. There is an extensive list of programs to choose from in a variety of specialties: BSN to AGNP Acute Care, BSN to DNP AGNP Acute Care, BSN to AGNP Primary Care, BSN to DNP AGNP Primary Care, BSN to PNP Acute Care, BSN to DNP PNP Acute Care, BSN to PNP Primary Care, BSN to DNP PNP Primary Care, BSN to PNP Acute/Primary Care, BSN to DNP PNP Acute/Primary Care, Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Acute Care, Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Primary Care, Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP Acute Care, Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP Primary Care, Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP Acute/Primary Care.
Program Overview:
The College of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire offers two doctor-level programs, a 73-credit BSN to DNP FNP option and a 68-credit BSN to DNP AGNP Primary Care option. Each program includes 1,087 clinical hours. Classes are generally taught one day a week and have a combination of in-person learning as well as both synchronous and asynchronous online classes and immersion experiences.
Program Overview:
The School of Nursing in the College of Health Professions and Sciences has been educating nurses since 1965. Today, it offers four tracks for nurses who want to pursue practice as an NP. The BSN to DNP FNP MSN option and BSN to DNP AGNP Acute Care option are 65 credits. Classes are taught in a hybrid format, and in-person clinicals are required. There is also an 18-credit Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to FNP track offered on campus and an 18-credit Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Acute Care track with hybrid classes.
Program Overview:
The Oshkosh branch of the University of Wisconsin is about 52 miles southwest of Green Bay on the shore of Lake Winnebago. It offers two DNP options: a BSN to DNP FNP and a MSN to DNP FNP. Both programs are offered in a hybrid format with on-campus requirements and in-person clinicals and have a 96% to 100% pass rate on the national certification exams.
Program Overview:
Viterbo is a Catholic university founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. The College of Nursing and Health offers DNP options for students with either a BSN or MSN degree. The BSN to DNP FNP option is 64 credits with 1,020 clinical hours, and the MSN to DNP FNP option is 61 credits and 1,020 clinical hours. The BSN to DNP AGNP track is 62 credits with 1020 clinical hours, and the MSN to DNP AGNP is 71 credits with 1,080 clinical hours. There is also a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP track that is 21 credits with 540 clinical hours. All programs offer a mix of hybrid and blended classes with on-campus requirements, including an on-campus two day intensive.
Educational Routes to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner in Wisconsin
Five distinct routes appear across the NP schools listed on this page. Each suits a different starting credential and timeline. All five satisfy the Wisconsin Board of Nursing APRN-certification requirements when paired with national NP certification.
1. MSN-NP (Most Common Route)
The traditional Master of Science in Nursing with an NP specialty track. Designed for working RNs who already hold a BSN. Typical length: 2 to 3 years full-time or 3 to 4 years part-time, with 500 to 750 clinical hours. Wisconsin MSN-NP options span all 10 on-page schools. Marquette and UW-Madison anchor research-focused tracks; Concordia, Edgewood, and Viterbo run hybrid MSN-FNP coursework with regional clinical placements.
2. RN-to-MSN Bridge (No BSN Required)
For ADN-prepared RNs who want to skip a separate BSN program. The bridge adds 12 to 18 months of BSN-level coursework before the master’s component begins. In Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and Herzing University all offer RN-MSN bridges into NP tracks. Total time-to-degree typically lands at 3 to 4 years. See the broader top RN-to-NP programs ranking.
3. BSN-to-DNP (Doctoral-Entry NP)
Aligned with the AACN’s 2025 DNP position statement. Combines NP-specialty training with terminal-degree coursework over 3 to 4 years and roughly 1,000 clinical hours. 11 Wisconsin schools offer a DNP program — see the full Wisconsin DNP programs guide for state-specific detail, or online BSN-to-DNP programs for ranked national options.
4. Post-Master’s Certificate (Existing MSN Holders)
For nurses who already hold a master’s-level NP credential and want to add a second specialty — an FNP adding AGNP, an FNP adding PMHNP, etc. Typical length: 12 to 24 months and ~500 clinical hours. Wisconsin post-master’s certificate options include Marquette, UW-Madison, and UW-Milwaukee. The NP Certifications hub covers the certificate landscape in depth.
5. Accelerated & Direct-Entry (Non-Nursing Bachelor’s)
For career changers with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The student earns an accelerated BSN first (12 to 16 months), then enters an NP master’s or DNP track. Wisconsin’s flagship direct-entry options include Marquette’s Direct-Entry MSN pathway and UW-Madison’s Master’s for non-nurses program. Total time-to-NP-licensure: typically 4 to 5 years from start of accelerated BSN.
Fast & Affordable Wisconsin NP Programs (Editorial Picks)
These editorial picks balance time-to-degree, total program cost, and accreditation. All programs listed are CCNE or ACEN accredited and confirmed to currently enroll Wisconsin residents.
Fastest Wisconsin NP Programs
- Herzing University — Online MSN-FNP: Multiple intakes per year; accelerated track for working RNs across Wisconsin.
- Concordia University-Wisconsin — MSN-FNP: Mequon-based hybrid delivery; 5-semester compressed full-time option.
- Edgewood College — MSN-FNP: Madison-based with year-round cohort entry; 24 to 28-month completion path.
- Marquette University — Post-Master’s NP Certificate: 12 to 18 months for current MSN holders adding a Wisconsin specialty.
Most Affordable Wisconsin NP Programs (In-State Tuition)
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire — MSN-FNP: Public UW-system tuition at one of the lowest published per-credit rates in Wisconsin.
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee — MSN-NP: Public UW-system tuition with strong Milwaukee-metro clinical network.
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh — MSN-FNP: Public UW tuition with Fox Valley clinical placements.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — DNP: Public flagship tuition; nationally-ranked nursing school.
- Viterbo University — MSN-FNP: La Crosse-based private with competitive total cost; strong Western Wisconsin clinical pipeline.
Wisconsin Schools Offering Popular NP Specialties
The matrix below maps Wisconsin NP-track schools to the two most-published specialty paths in the state — FNP and DNP entry. Most Wisconsin schools lead with FNP at the master’s level; 11 schools offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice option. Each H3 links to the relevant child page.
Family NP (FNP)
The most common specialty in Wisconsin. All 10 schools listed on this page offer an FNP track in some format — MSN, BSN-to-DNP, or post-master’s certificate.
- Alverno College
- Bellin College
- Concordia University-Wisconsin
- Edgewood College
- Herzing University
- Marquette University
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
- Viterbo University
BSN-to-DNP and Post-Master’s DNP Programs in Wisconsin
Aligned with the AACN 2025 DNP position statement. The 11 Wisconsin schools below offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. See the dedicated Wisconsin DNP programs guide for admissions detail.
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Viterbo University
- Marquette University
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Herzing University
- Alverno College
- Bellin College
- Concordia University
- Edgewood College
- Rasmussen University
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Nurse Practitioner Programs in Wisconsin by City & Region
Wisconsin’s 10 featured NP schools cluster around five regions: Milwaukee Metro, Madison and South Central Wisconsin, Fox Valley/Green Bay, La Crosse and Western Wisconsin, and Eau Claire/Chippewa Valley. Rasmussen and Herzing also offer online-forward MSN-FNP programs from their Wisconsin headquarters.
Milwaukee Metro
- Marquette University — Milwaukee
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee — Milwaukee
- Alverno College — Milwaukee
- Concordia University-Wisconsin — Mequon
Madison / South Central
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison
- Edgewood College — Madison
- Herzing University — Madison HQ / online
Fox Valley / Green Bay
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh — Oshkosh
- Bellin College — Green Bay
Eau Claire / Chippewa Valley
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire — Eau Claire
La Crosse / Western Wisconsin
- Viterbo University — La Crosse
