Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College's nursing program produces some of Wisconsin's lowest-paid RN graduates, with first-year earnings of $61,748 falling short of both the state median ($65,071) and national median ($68,409). At the 40th percentile in Wisconsin, this program trails stronger in-state alternatives like Herzing Madison and Blackhawk Technical College by $7,600-$11,600 annually—differences that compound to six figures over a career. The essentially flat earnings trajectory (just 1% growth over four years) suggests limited advancement potential, which is unusual for an RN credential that typically opens doors to higher-paying specialties and leadership roles.

The one bright spot is manageable debt: $15,329 represents just a quarter of first-year earnings, well below the state median of $19,000. This low debt load means graduates can realistically pay off loans within 2-3 years even with below-average earnings. However, that advantage doesn't offset the long-term earnings gap—over a decade, the difference between this program and stronger Wisconsin nursing schools amounts to $76,000 to $116,000 in lost income.

If your child is committed to staying in southwestern Wisconsin, this program offers an affordable entry to nursing. But for families with geographic flexibility, applying to Milwaukee Area Technical College, Blackhawk, or other higher-performing Wisconsin technical colleges would deliver substantially better returns on the same time investment and similar tuition costs.