About Marquette University
Based in Wisconsin, Marquette University opened in 1881 as a small liberal arts college under the auspices of Most Reverend John Martin Henni, the first archbishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Today, there are 11 colleges and schools on our Milwaukee campus, with each one providing transformative learning experiences framed within the context of Catholic, Jesuit values.
Serving as extensions of our College of Nursing, we operate satellite locations in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, near Kenosha, that offer an accelerated Direct Entry MSN program for non-nursing professionals and an Indianapolis-based Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner programs for current RNs. (Note: Marquette also offers an on-campus Direct Entry MSN program and AGACNP post-master’s certificate at our Milwaukee campus.)
For information about other nursing programs offered at Marquette, including BSN, other MSN programs and PhD/DNP programs, click here.

Marquette College of Nursing
Established in 1936, our College of Nursing makes it possible for you to be part of something bigger than yourself. With more than 7,000 nursing alumni, we’ve graduated some of the most sought-after nurses in the health care industry, and we want you to join our ranks. In fact, we’re a top choice among nursing students for the following reasons:
- A long history of excellence in nursing education
- Expert, nationally recognized nursing faculty
- Small student-to-faculty ratios and close-knit cohorts
- Innovative teaching strategies using advanced technology
- Maximum clinical experience with supportive preceptors
Through our College of Nursing, we offer a wide variety of nursing degree programs that bring together knowledge, faith, and understanding.

FAQ's
If I enroll in the Pleasant Prairie location, will I have access to the resources available on the main Milwaukee campus?
You’ll have access to many of the resources available to students on the main Milwaukee campus, such as the library and career services. The Pleasant Prairie location has its own simulation center and classrooms.
What is the NCLEX?
The NLCEX is the licensure exam that students must pass to become a registered nurse. NCLEX pass rates indicate the percentage of students in specific programs that pass the licensure exam. In 2021, Marquette University’s MSN programs had a combined overall NCLEX-RN pass rate of 93% for first-time test takers.
How much does the program cost, and is financial aid available?
This program is a cohort model and with that comes a cohort-based tuition. Students are expected to complete the program in the designated 5-semester sequence. In this case, our students are offered a flat program fee, a portion of which is due at the beginning of each of the 5 semesters. This tuition does not include costs associated with housing, transportation, supplies or other requirements. Reach out to your Direct Entry MSN Graduate Program Advisor for more details.
Please contact Marquette Central at 414.288.4000 with any financial aid questions. We recommend discussing private outside scholarships, federal financial aid and graduate student loan eligibility.

Contact us to learn more about our nursing programs.