Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota

16 Min Read Published May 23, 2024
St. Paul Minnesota bridge heading to downtown

Minnesota is an excellent place to work as a nurse, and there are plenty of great nursing schools to choose from. Nurse.org put together a list of the top nursing schools in Minnesota to help you choose the right program for you.

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Sponsored
Purdue Global

Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.

Grand Canyon University

GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Western Governors University

WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

The University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Liberty University

As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation. 

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Nurses Helping Nurses: Why You Can Trust Nurse.org

As the leading educational website for nurses by nurses, Nurse.org is committed to editorial integrity and data-driven analysis. We independently research schools and programs for nurses and strive to write recommendations that genuinely reflect our true opinion of the product or service. Where relevant, our recommendations may incorporate feedback from 500,000+ nurses in our social communities.

✔ Evaluated 1,100+ accredited nursing school programs using the latest U.S. government data sets. Learn more about our ranking methodology

✔ Content written by 80+ licensed, practicing nurses who are experts in their respective specialties. Learn more about our nurse contributors.

✔ Connected 1,500,000+ nurses to educational programs since 2020.

Top 10 Nursing Schools in Minnesota

This is a panel-reviewed selection based on a number of factors, including,

  • Reputation
  • NCLEX pass rate
  • Tuition
  • Acceptance rate, when available
  • Only ACEN or CCNE-accredited schools are eligible 

Our selection panel includes 4 Registered Nurses with over 55 years of combined nursing experience and 7 nursing degrees.

  • Tracy Everhart, MSN, RN, CNS
  • Tyler Faust, MSN, RN
  • Kathleen Gaines MSN, RN, BA, CBC
  • Leah Helmbrecht, BSN, RN

Because nursing careers take different forms, the top 10 Minnesota nursing schools are ranked in no particular order.

In-State Tuition
$8,811 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$18,695 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
No

St. Cloud State University has a state-of-the-art human patient simulation lab, including five simulated hospital rooms, a home care simulation room, and 22 hospital bed spaces. With an already low tuition, St. Cloud students were awarded over $106 million in scholarship loans and grants.

The university is a great place to study, especially if you are a current or former military member. More than 600 student veterans and active military are currently enrolled in the university. 

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Public
  • Acceptance Rate: 95%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 15%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $341
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $734
Contact Information:
  • Address: 720 Fourth Ave. South, Saint Cloud, MN
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 69%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $66,377

 

In-State Tuition
$11,820 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$11,820 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
No

With 9 campuses spread across multiple states, Herzing University is certainly unique. One of Herzing’s campuses is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the prime location is also home to Herzing’s innovative three-year BSN program.

Designed to prepare students for a career in any state, the BSN accelerates every part of nursing without skipping on-site clinicals. A 12-month online RN-BSN and 16-month accelerated second-degree option are also available. 

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Private
  • Acceptance Rate: 94%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 29%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $495
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $495
Contact Information:
  • Address: 435 Ford Road, St. Louis Park, MN
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 76%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $60,799

 

In-State Tuition
$38,750 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$38,750 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
No

Founded over 100 years ago in the Benedictine tradition, the College of Saint Scholastica nearly doubled its student body over the past decade – however, St. Scholastica currently has just under 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

St. Scholastica’s School of Nursing also offers an online RN-BSN and second-degree option, as well as a master’s of science in nursing (MSN), doctor of nursing practice (DNP), and BSN-DNP. Despite the relatively low number of students overall, 112 applicants are accepted into the nursing program each spring.

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Private
  • Acceptance Rate: 97%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 29%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,215
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,215
Contact Information:
  • Address: 1200 Kenwood Ave, Duluth, MN
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 79%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $66,536

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Sponsored
Purdue Global

Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.

Grand Canyon University

GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Western Governors University

WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

The University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Liberty University

As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation. 

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

In-State Tuition
$14,006 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$33,246 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
No

As one of the nation’s top research schools, the University of Minnesota is popular for graduate students. But in recent years, UMN has emphasized its undergraduate program, doubling the rate of students who graduate in four years or less.

The four-year BSN program recently graduated over 100 students, making it one of the larger nursing programs in Minnesota. 94% of students completed the BSN program in three years. Of course, the graduate program is also an area of emphasis for UMN, and they offer an MSN, DNP, and Ph.D. in nursing. The low in-state tuition and high NCLEX pass rate should attract plenty of Minnesota residents. 

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Public
  • Acceptance Rate: 75%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 4%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $539
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,279
Contact Information:
  • Address: 100 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 90%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $65,723

 

In-State Tuition
$28,400 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$28,400 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
No

Not to be confused with the Minnesota university of the same name, Concordia College is a four-year liberal arts school with over 120 areas of study, including nursing.

The two main programs offered through the nursing program, the traditional BSN and the accelerated second-degree program, have excellent outcomes. Nursing students also have the opportunity to partake in an internship and clinical experience abroad, both of which count toward credits and/or required clinical hours. 

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Private
  • Acceptance Rate: 66%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 2%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,060
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,060
Contact Information:
  • Address: 901 S 8th St, Moorhead, MN
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 84%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $61,941

 

In-State Tuition
$54,650 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$54,650 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
No

Saint Olaf College was founded by Lutherans nearly 150 years ago, just outside the Twin Cities area. Saint Olaf only offers a traditional BSN. However, BSN students have access to unique opportunities like studying abroad and the ability to double major, which is rare for nursing students. Students can also apply for direct admission, which guarantees acceptance to the BSN before they commit to Saint Olaf. 

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Private
  • Acceptance Rate: 56%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 0%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,709
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,709
Contact Information:
  • Address: 1520 St Olaf Ave, Northfield, MN
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 90%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $60,623

 

In-State Tuition
$52,490 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$52,490 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
No

With both Lutheran and Swedish heritage, Gustavus Adolphus College is representative of the settlers who came to Minnesota years ago. Before applying to Gustavus, applicants should note that Gustavus describes itself as a “highly selective” liberal arts college. Once accepted, students must then apply to the nursing program.

Gustavus offers only one nursing option – a traditional BSN — but the program's outcomes are great. Gustavus only graduated 30 nurses in 2021, so if this nursing school meets your standards, then you might have some competition when applying. 

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Private
  • Acceptance Rate: 74%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 0%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $8,900
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $8,900
Contact Information:
  • Address: 800 West College Avenue, Saint Peter, MN
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 86%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $63,005

 

In-State Tuition
$50,950 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$50,950 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
Yes

The College of Saint Benedict is a small, private college located in St. Joseph. As mentioned earlier, Sant Benedict and Saint John’s offer the BSN, though students can choose which school they attend.

On top of having different campuses for non-nursing courses, Saint Benedict also has a higher tuition rate than Saint John’s — albeit by a few hundred dollars. The program only admits 54 students annually, so you may have to compete with Saint Benedict and Saint John’s students. 

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Private
  • Acceptance Rate: 88%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 2%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $2,123
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $2,123
Contact Information:
  • Address: 37 S. College Ave., Saint Joseph, MN
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 89%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $63,005

 

In-State Tuition
$34,490 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$34,490 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
No

With a low student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1, the University of Northwestern should appeal to students interested in a small school. The campus is so close to downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul that students can take advantage of opportunities in Minnesota’s thriving healthcare industries.

Anyone interested in nursing should note that the only degree option available is a traditional four-year BSN. The nursing program has been growing, too — 76 nurses graduated in 2021, compared to just 20 in 2016. 

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Private
  • Acceptance Rate: 93%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 40%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,475
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,475
Contact Information:
  • Address: 3003 Snelling Ave N, Saint Paul, MN
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 81%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $60,771

 

In-State Tuition
$8,388 per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$15,120 per year
Accreditation
CCNE
Online?
Yes

In addition to in-state tuition for Minnesota residents, 94% of freshmen at Winona State University receive financial aid. While the in-state tuition is low, all nursing students are required to pay an additional fee per credit regardless of how many credits they take per semester. Nursing students have three main degree options: a traditional BSN, an RN-BSN, or a graduate degree. 

Graduate students can enroll in either an MSN or DNP program and specialize in several areas. Winona State also has a close relationship with the Mayo Clinic, which is considered to be the best hospital in the world. Students may be able to complete their clinical hours at the Mayo Clinic.

School Information:
  • Public or Private? Public
  • Acceptance Rate: 74%
  • Percent Enrolled Online: 14%
Tuition:
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $277
  • Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour:  $504
Contact Information:
  • Address: 175 West Mark Street, Winona, MN
  • Website
School Success:
  • Retention Rate: 76%
  • Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $65,101

Nurse Salary and Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

  • Minnesota nurses earn an annual mean wage of $84,030, higher than the national average. 

  • Minnesota employs 69,000 nurses. 

According to the BLS, Minnesota’s annual mean wage for nurses is higher than the national annual mean wage of $77,600. 

On top of the high pay, Minnesota does an excellent job of employing nurses. The BLS gives Minnesota a location quotient of 1.17, meaning Minnesota employs more nurses for every 1,000 workers than the national average.

With 69,000 nurses, Minnesota is also among the top employers for nurses in the region, outpacing neighbors Wisconsin and Iowa.

Next Steps

After looking at different nursing programs, it’s time to start the application process. Keep note of every school’s application deadline, and try to finish applications in time for early admissions if you can – it will save you from a lot of stress as the deadline draws near!

Here are the next steps:

Contact each school’s admissions offices. Every school has an admissions office that helps you understand the application process. They can answer any questions you have about the required materials, minimum test scores, and potential scholarships.

Check to see if you meet the nursing school requirements. In addition to the school application, nursing programs have their application requirements. Nursing programs often require more prerequisite classes, a higher GPA, and other additional materials. 

Submit your application(s). After you’ve gathered your materials, the final step is to apply to each school. To increase your chances of getting into a nursing program, be sure to apply to more than one school.

Common application requirements include:

  • High school transcript (GPA)

  • ACT and/or SAT scores

  • College entrance essay(s)

  • Letter(s) of recommendation

Important Considerations When Comparing Schools 

Once you start receiving acceptance letters, your next task is picking the school you want to attend. No pressure! To make the selection process easier, try picking the school that checks the most boxes on your list of wants and needs. 

Consider comparing things like:

  • Annual tuition/nursing program cost
  • Financial aid, scholarships, and grants offered
  • Cost of living on-campus or in the area
  • Distance from home
  • School and nursing program acceptance rate
  • Length and type of program
  • School accreditation (regional and national)

Why you should care about the nursing program’s accreditation  

Choosing an accredited school and nursing program guarantees that you’re earning a quality education. In addition to selecting a school with regional accreditation, make sure the nursing program is accredited, too. 

The two nursing accreditation organizations to look for are

If you earn a degree from an unaccredited school, you may have trouble securing federal financial aid and finding work as a nurse after graduation. Furthermore, if you plan on attending a graduate or doctoral program, a prerequisite is a BSN from an accredited nursing program. 

Getting a License in Minnesota

While Minnesota isn’t part of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC), the licensure process is straightforward and can be completed almost entirely online.  

To get a license in Minnesota, you’ll need to:

  • Study at a nursing school approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing
  • Take and pass the NCLEX-RN
  • Pay an application and criminal background check fee
  • Apply through the Minnesota Board of Nursing
  • Completing a BSN or similar program from an accredited program in Minnesota satisfies the prerequisites to sit for the NCLEX and apply for a license. 

Conclusion 

With a combination of above-average pay and above-average employment, Minnesota nurses enjoy a plethora of high-paying positions. Minnesota also has an excellent mix of private and public schools, many of which have great outcomes for nurses. After completing a BSN program, the process of becoming a nurse is straightforward, so you’ll be well on your way to a long, successful career as an RN!

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Sponsored
Purdue Global

Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.

Grand Canyon University

GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

The University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Western Governors University

WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Liberty University

As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation. 

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

References:

BLS

BestPlaces.net

Minnesota State Department of Public Health

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