Wisconsin Online NP Programs

“The great thing about online programs is that we have been able to offer education to students in areas where travel to a university is not possible due to the long drive or weather. This is exciting to us, and we have been able to place NPs in areas where there may be only one or no physician available.”

Julie Parve, DNP, Associate Professor, Concordia University

Wisconsin offers a promising landscape for aspiring nurse practitioners (NPs), with a growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals across urban and rural areas. Online NP programs in the state provide a flexible and accessible pathway for registered nurses to advance their careers while balancing personal and professional responsibilities. These programs are designed to equip students with the clinical expertise and leadership skills needed to excel in the dynamic and rewarding field of advanced nursing practice. A unique aspect of being an NP in Wisconsin is the opportunity to address the diverse healthcare needs of underserved communities, particularly in rural regions, where NPs often serve as primary care providers, ensuring patients have access to essential services.

The state’s demand for nurse practitioners is projected to grow rapidly. According to data from CareerOneStop.org (2025), there were 4,950 nurse practitioners in Wisconsin in 2022, and this number is estimated to rise to 7,480 by 2032—a significant increase of 52 percent within just a decade.

NP Openings in Wisconsin (2022-2032)
Source : CareerOneStop (2025)

This surge highlights the importance of quality NP education and training programs, particularly online options that cater to a wide range of learners. Pursuing an NP credential in Wisconsin not only aligns with the state’s healthcare needs but also offers professionals the chance to secure fulfilling careers in a continually expanding field.

Meet the Expert: Julie Parve, DNP, FNP-BC, APNP

Dr. Julie Parve is the director of graduate nursing and an associate professor at Concordia University. A dedicated family nurse practitioner, she earned her master’s and doctor of nursing practice degrees at Concordia, inspiring her return to the university as faculty. She brings extensive clinical experience in family medicine, urgent care, surgery, labor and delivery, and outpatient care, alongside a passion for international mission work, having participated in over 15 medical missions across countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and Peru.

Dr. Parve is deeply committed to mentoring future nurse practitioners, often integrating them into her mission trips as part of their education. Her specialties in family medicine, dermatology, and infectious diseases reflect her broad clinical interests, while her supportive and flexible approach to online learning fosters success in her students. 

NPSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about online nurse practitioner programs in Wisconsin?

Dr. Parve: Not all online programs are created equal. There are many exceptional online programs where all testing is proctored, and they have very high standards. The profession itself is growing, and we can see that there is a great need for qualified NP providers in low-resource areas. With all the new technology and online simulations that are available, it is possible to assess student learning and knowledge. 

Our program requires 750 hours of in-person clinical teaching with a qualified preceptor; this is in addition to the hands-on skills they learned in their undergraduate nursing program and their experience as an RN. The great thing about online programs is that we have been able to offer education to students in areas where travel to a university is not possible due to the long drive or weather. This is exciting to us, and we have been able to place NPs in areas where there may be only one or no physician available. It is an exciting time for NPs in healthcare, working side by side with physicians and other healthcare providers.

NPSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online nurse practitioner program students?

Dr. Parve: Online programs, including ours at Concordia University, can be very rigorous programs. There is a lot of knowledge you need to learn in order to care for patients. You must prove you are competent to diagnose and treat patients. You need to understand the pathophysiology of diseases and the pharmacology of medications and how they treat these diseases. You must be prepared to spend a lot of time learning during the program. But once you graduate, it is our hope that you will love what you do.

Most Affordable Online NP Programs in Wisconsin (Ranked by In-State Tuition)

School Degrees Specializations Programs & Tuition Programs Tuition
(in-state)
Herzing University
  • MSN
  • PMC
  • AGNP
  • FNP
  • PMHNP
  • Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner – $24,915
  • Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – $24,915
  • MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – $36,240
  • Show More Programs (+)
  • MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner – $36,240
  • MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – $36,240
  • RN to MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – $48,320
  • RN to MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner – $48,320
  • RN to MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – $48,320
  • Show Fewer Programs (-)
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner $24,915
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $24,915
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $36,240
Show More Programs (+)
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $36,240
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $36,240
RN to MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $48,320
RN to MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $48,320
RN to MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $48,320
Show Fewer Programs (-)
Edgewood College
  • MSN
  • PMC
  • AG-PCNP
  • CNS
  • CNS-AG
  • FNP
  • PMHNP
  • Post-Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology CNS – $26,208
  • Post-Graduate Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – $26,208
  • Post-Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP – $29,484
  • Show More Programs (+)
  • MSN – Adult-Gerontology CNS – $49,140
  • MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner – $49,140
  • MSN – Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – $51,324
  • MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP – $52,416
  • MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP – $55,692
  • Show Fewer Programs (-)
Post-Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology CNS $26,208
Post-Graduate Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) $26,208
Post-Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP $29,484
Show More Programs (+)
MSN – Adult-Gerontology CNS $49,140
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $49,140
MSN – Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) $51,324
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP $52,416
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP $55,692
Show Fewer Programs (-)
Concordia University
  • DNP
  • MSN
  • PMC
  • AGNP
  • FNP
  • Post-Grad Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP – $30,450
  • Post-Grad Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner – $30,450
  • MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – $35,670
  • Show More Programs (+)
  • MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner – $35,670
  • BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – $60,900
  • BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner – $60,900
  • Show Fewer Programs (-)
Post-Grad Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP $30,450
Post-Grad Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner $30,450
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $35,670
Show More Programs (+)
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner $35,670
BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner $60,900
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner $60,900
Show Fewer Programs (-)

NP Practice Authority in Wisconsin

StateBoard of NursingPractice ActPrescriptive AuthorityDetails & Resources
WisconsinWisconsin Board of NursingWisconsin Nursing Laws & RegulationsMust have a collaborative practice with a supervising physicianNurse practitioners may only prescribe Schedule 2-5 controlled substances within areas of competence defined by education, training, or experience, and in collaboration with a supervising physician.

How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Make in Wisconsin?

United StatesWisconsin
Number of NPs Employed307,3904,950
Average Salary$132,000$130,490
10th Percentile$97,960$107,010
25th Percentile$109,940$117,630
50th Percentile (Median)$129,210$128,580
75th Percentile$149,570$137,150
90th Percentile$169,950$161,600
Source: BLS May (2024)—the latest data available as of May 2025
Kimmy Gustafson

Kimmy Gustafson

Writer

Among her many diverse writing endeavors, Kimmy Gustafson has also lent her expertise to NPSchools.com since 2020, providing insightful and engaging content about the significant role of education in shaping our future generations of nurse practitioners. Many of her pieces include interviewing experts on timely topics such as healthcare workplace violence and moral distress.

Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.