2022 - Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota

Overview of Nursing Schools in Minnesota

About Nursing Schools in Minnesota

In our Minnesota RN program guide, find rankings for both ADN and BSN Degree programs, tuition costs, NCLEX passing rates, and more. Research key Minnesota RN Program information to help you compare program metrics and to apply to best RN program for your career in nursing.

In the State of Minnesota, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate's degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.

Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.

BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Minnesota RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN

Best Ranked RN Programs in Minnesota

To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Minnesota and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.

To create our rankings, we evaluated 24 ADN degree programs and 18 BSN degree programs in Minnesota. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Minnesota to provide our state rankings. View our methodology. 

Best Nursing Schools (BSN) in Minnesota

The eligibility for acceptance into a Minnesota BSN program has the same general requirements and they include:

• Current Minnesota RN license
• Official transcript
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 and a 3.0 in previous nursing courses
• Completed prerequisite courses
• Personal reference forms
• Official degree plan completed with an academic advisor

Programs can be completed online or at a campus but the programs are very similar. There is usually a transition course that must be completed before other nurse courses. A typical program requires the following courses:

• Theoretical Foundation for Nursing Practice
• Nursing Research
• Care of Diverse Populations
• Public Health Nursing
• Gerontological Nursing to Promote Successful Aging
• Leadership and Professional Development

Best BSN Nursing Schools in Minnesota

Bethel University

Department of Nursing

94.85% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  3900 Bethel Dr, Saint Paul, MN - 55112
• 
  (651) 638-6400

Nurse Admin: Diane L. Dahl, PhD, RN

Title: Dean

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.85%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor, MSN

It is exciting to study in a major city in the UX and Saint Paul, Minnesota is certainly one of them. It home to Bethel University’s Department of Nursing. Students will enjoy being surrounded by the east bank of the Mississippi River at its confluence with the Minnesota River. Proximity

View More

University Information

• Total Faculty: 191
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,290
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 99%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $21,169
• Percent Admitted: 87%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 33%
• Graduation Rate: 74%

Concordia College at Moorhead

Department of Nursing

94.85% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  901 S 8th St, Moorhead, MN - 56562
• 
  (218) 299-4200

Nurse Admin: Stephen Stapleton, PhD, RN, CEN, FAEN

Title: Department Chair

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.85%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor

Concordia College at Moorhead was founded in 1891 by Norwegian settlers who valued education and their religious heritage. Of note, it opened its doors with 12 students and three instructors. According to its handbook, Concordia College at Moorhead is a four-year liberal arts college focused on preparing students to be

View More

University Information

• Total Faculty: 149
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $800
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 100%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $28,323
• Percent Admitted: 58%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 21%
• Graduation Rate: 68%

Winona State University

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

93.15% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  175 West Mark Street, Winona, MN - 55987-5838
• 
  (507) 457-5000

Nurse Admin: Julie M. Anderson, PhD, RN

Title: Dean

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 93.15%
• Programs: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate, RN to MSN

Founded in 1858, Winona State University is the oldest member of the Minnesota State System of colleges and universities. Founded in 1858 as a teacher training school, it now serves students on two campuses in Winona and Rochester, Minnesota. Nursing is a standout among the over 80 majors. Students enjoy small class sizes and expert, caring

View More

University Information

• Total Faculty: 303
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $10,184
• Book and Supplies: $900
• Percent Received Aid: 99%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $3,891
• Percent Admitted: 75%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 25%
• Graduation Rate: 61%

College of St Benedict/St John's University

Nursing Department

91.45% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  37 S. College Ave., Saint Joseph, MN - 56374
• 
  (320) 363-5011

Nurse Admin: Carie Braun, PhD, RN

Title: Chair

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.45%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor

University Information

• Total Faculty: 132
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,000
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 100%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $31,396
• Percent Admitted: 84%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 26%
• Graduation Rate: 85%

Saint Cloud State University

Department of Nursing Science

91.27% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  720 Fourth Ave. South, Saint Cloud, MN - 56301-4498
• 
  (320) 308-0121

Nurse Admin: Jane Bagley, PhD, RN

Title: Chair

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.27%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor

St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota.  They offer both a BSN and an RN to BSN program.  St. Cloud State University is proud to note that they offer education to over 700 student veterans and active military servicemen and servicewomen.

University Information

• Total Faculty: 381
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $9,170
• Book and Supplies: $1,200
• Percent Received Aid: 93%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,019
• Percent Admitted: 73%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 27%
• Graduation Rate: 45%

Rasmussen College

School of Nursing

88.88% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  226 Park Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN - 56301-3713
• 
  (320) 251-5600

Nurse Admin: Joan K. Rich, DNP, RN, PHN, FCN

Title: Vice President

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 88.88%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor

University Information

• Total Faculty: 90
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $74
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 84%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,169
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 36%

Concordia - St. Paul’s

Department of Nursing

87.77% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  1282 Concordia Ave, Saint Paul, MN - 55104-5494
• 
  (651) 641-8278

Nurse Admin: Hollie K. Caldwell, PhD, RN

Title: Associate Dean Of Nursing & Professor Of Practice

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 87.77%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor

Concordia University is located in St. Paul, MN.  They have a BSN program.  Beginning in 2016, they began an accelerated BSN (ABSN) program, allowing students with prior college credits to earn their BSN in 16 months.  A CNA license is required prior to entrance into either BSN program. Concordia St.

View More

University Information

• Total Faculty: 99
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $2,000
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 100%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $10,447
• Percent Admitted: 69%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 23%
• Graduation Rate: 48%

Minnesota State University-Mankato

School of Nursing

86.83% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  South Rd and Ellis Ave, Mankato, MN - 56001
• 
  (507) 389-1866

Nurse Admin: Patricia Young, PhD, RN

Title: School Of Nursing Chair, Professor

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 86.83%
• Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor, BSN to DNP, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate

Minnesota State University Mankato was established as the second state normal school in 1858. Now a public university, Minnesota State is the second oldest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. In fact it is the second largest university in the state and referred to as the “flagship”

View More

University Information

• Total Faculty: 494
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $9,146
• Book and Supplies: $1,042
• Percent Received Aid: 99%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,062
• Percent Admitted: 67%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 33%
• Graduation Rate: 51%

Crown College

Nursing Department

86.11% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  8700 College View Drive, Saint Bonifacius, MN - 55375-9001
• 
  (952) 446-4100

Nurse Admin: Teresa Newby, DNP, RN

Title: Chair

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 86.11%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor

Crown College is located in Bonifacius, Minnesota.  It is a private Christian College offering a BSN degree.  The BSN program is a biblically-based nursing education, including a Christian core of classes, in addition to nursing classes and other core classes.

University Information

• Total Faculty: 28
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,316
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 99%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $13,655
• Percent Admitted: 47%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 36%
• Graduation Rate: 60%

St Catherine University

Department of Nursing, Mail# F-22

84.26% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  2004 Randolph Ave, Saint Paul, MN - 55105
• 
  (651) 690-6000

Nurse Admin: Laura Fero, PhD, MSN, RN

Title: Dean Of Nursing

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 84.26%
• Programs: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, MSN, Post Master's NP Certificate

University Information

• Total Faculty: 250
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,000
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 100%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $20,319
• Percent Admitted: 76%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 26%
• Graduation Rate: 64%

Bemidji State University

Department of Nursing

82.47% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  1500 Birchmont Dr, Bemidji, MN - 56601
• 
  (800) 475-2001

Nurse Admin: Diana Kostrzewski, PhD, RN

Title: Associate Dean

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 82.47%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor

Bemidji State University is located in Bemidji, Minnesota.  They offer a BSN program and an RN to BSN program.  They also offer a study abroad program in May, where students have the ability to travel to South Africa, in conjunction with Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

University Information

• Total Faculty: 162
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $890
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 97%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,859
• Percent Admitted: 69%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 24%
• Graduation Rate: 46%

St. Olaf College

Department of Nursing

81.97% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  1520 St Olaf Ave, Northfield, MN - 55057-1098
• 
  (507) 786-2222

Nurse Admin: Susan Huehn, PhD, MSN, RN

Title: Chair

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 81.97%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor

St. Olaf Colleges is one of the best educational institutions In Minnesota, located in Northfield. The private liberal arts college was founded in 1874 by Norwegian-American pastors and farmers. St. Olaf’s curriculum engages students in a multidisciplinary, multicultural exploration of human knowledge and experience. While they explore the liberal arts,

View More

University Information

• Total Faculty: 211
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,000
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 99%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $34,342
• Percent Admitted: 51%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 27%
• Graduation Rate: 85%

Best Nursing Schools (ADN) in Minnesota

Nursing students in Minnesota have the option of attending schools that have partnerships with universities under the Minnesota Alliance for Nursing Education (MANE).  MANE allows students to advance into BSN degrees post-graduation quickly and easily.  This allows students to begin their education at a community college and finish at the university-level, whether it is transferring when appropriate credits are earned or after the RN degree is earned.

Normandale Community College

92.00% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  9700 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN - 55431-4399
• 
  (952) 358-8200

Nurse Admin: Katherine Andersen,

Title: Director of Nursing

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.00%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

Normandale Community College is located in Bloomington, Minnesota.  They offer an ADN program.  While there is not a specific LPN to RN program, LPNs do take a separate transitions course in place of a 9 credit foundations course.  Normandale nursing students can also earn their BSN in conjunction with various

View More

University Information

• Total Faculty: 152
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,000
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 92%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $3,294
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 22%

Rochester Community and Technical College

91.70% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  851 30th Ave SE, Rochester, MN - 55904-4999
• 
  (507) 285-7210

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.70%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

Rochester Community and Technical College is located in Rochester, Minnesota.  They offer an ADN degree.  There is not a separate LPN to RN program, but LPNs are given advanced placement based on their past education and licensure.

University Information

• Total Faculty: 102
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,600
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 92%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $3,272
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 24%

Central Lakes College-Brainerd

91.70% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  501 West College Drive, Brainerd, MN - 56401-3900
• 
  (218) 855-8000

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.70%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

University Information

• Total Faculty: 78
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,000
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 96%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,036
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 42%

Additional Listings for Minnesota Nursing Schools

Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Minnesota

RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.

Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Minnesota

Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Minnesota offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)

Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.

Minnesota  RN Licensing Requirements

Minnesota State Board of Nursing
2829 University Avenue SE
Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: (612) 617-2270

Website: http://www.nursingboard.state.mn.us/

Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $115.50
License renewal (every two years), RN: $93.50

Continuing Education Requirements:
RNs: 24 contact hours every renewal period LPNs: 12 contact hours every renewal period

A candidate is required to complete a professional nursing program that has been approved in Minnesota or the board in one of the other 50 states. As of 2016, nursing programs in Minnesota will be required to hold programmatic accreditation or candidate status. There are several resources available to nurses who are looking for the best nursing program possible. One resource is the Minnesota Student Nurses Association and membership is not required.

RN Licensure by Exam

Before a candidate can apply for the NCLEX exam, he/she must submit a Registered Nurse Licensure by Examination Application and submit the necessary non-refundable fee. Candidates must also provide evidence that they have not engaged in conduct, which warranted disciplinary action. The school must submit a completed Confirmation of Program Completion from a nursing program. When these steps have been completed, register to take the NCLEX through the Pearson VUE website and schedule a test when an authorization to test has been received. This authorization is valid for 90 days.

RN Licensure by Endorsement

Registered nurses who have obtained licensure in one of the other 50 states may obtain licensure in the state of Minnesota by endorsement. In order to be granted licensure by endorsement, candidates must complete the following:

• Submit a Licensure by Endorsement Application form and fee
• Verification of Licensure
• Confirmation of Nursing Employment for Licensure by Endorsement

RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad

In some cases, nurses can gain licensure after being trained in a foreign country. In order to do so, the following tasks must be completed:

• Pass an approved English proficiency test such as TOEFL unless the candidate has graduated from a nursing education program in an English-speaking country
• Successfully pass the NCLEX exam
• Acceptable non-refundable application fee

RN Salaries in Minnesota

There are many options available to nurses who have obtained a bachelor’s degree. Some of the options include: long-term care facilities, hospice, occupational, public health departments, clinics, schools, and home health. This degree will prove to be worth the time and hard work that are used in obtaining a bachelor’s degree. There are currently more than 57,000 registered nurses working in Minnesota earning a mean average income of $67,930 annually. Salaries are dependent on years of experience, education, and specialization area. The management positions tend to pay a higher salary.

Minnesota Registered Nursing Salaries

The Minneapolis metropolitan area has the largest amount of registered nurses employed than any other area. However, the St. Cloud metropolitan area has the highest hourly mean wage and annual median wage.
Source: BLS, Department of Education, State Board of Nursing, Nursing School Websites.