Nursing Degree in Madison, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Madison, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$73K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.1 yrs
in Madison
Cost of Living
89
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Madison, WI Overview
Madison, Wisconsin (pop. 269,840) has 11 colleges offering Nursing programs. The local cost of living index of 89 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $902/month. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Madison is approximately $60,520.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$10,725/yr
Private Tuition
$33,350/yr
Room & Board
$11,942/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,815/yr
Unemployment
5.7%
Graduation Rate
73%
Nursing Salary in Madison (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Madison's cost of living index of 89 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Madison adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Madison
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing degree using local Madison tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,725 | Private avg: $33,350
Madison avg aid: $15,815/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$90,668
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$29,370
vs HS diploma in Madison
ROI Payback Period
3.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Madison
$532,332
Lifetime earnings premium ($623,000) minus total education cost ($90,668)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Madison
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Madison for Nursing
University of Wisconsin-Madison
public
$10,725/yr
$42,900 total
Edgewood College
private
$33,350/yr
$133,400 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Madison Area Technical College
$4,632/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Madison
Madison offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Madison Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Nursing in Nearby Wisconsin Cities
Milwaukee, WI
$64K starting · COL 94
33 colleges
Green Bay, WI
$58K starting · COL 86
6 colleges
Kenosha, WI
$72K starting · COL 106
8 colleges
Racine, WI
$58K starting · COL 85.8
4 colleges
Appleton, WI
$54K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Waukesha, WI
$62K starting · COL 90.5
3 colleges
Eau Claire, WI
$58K starting · COL 86
2 colleges
Oshkosh, WI
$73K starting · COL 107
3 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Madison
Pharmacy
$45K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$45K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$45K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$45K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Nursing degree outcomes in Madison, WI: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Nursing programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Wisconsin.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Madison using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for Nursing graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Nursing career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Nursing grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Madison Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Wisconsin students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Wisconsin programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "wisconsin higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Nursing Degree in Madison — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Nursing ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Madison.