Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

Are you looking for BSN programs in Minnesota or other nursing programs? You’re in luck. Nursing is one of the most rewarding careers, the ability to help fellow human beings during the lowest and highest points in their lifetime.

Nurses are a special breed of people, ones that can function in life and death situations, help patients and their loved ones through the final minutes of a life, being overwhelmed by the joy that comes with a new life all the while keeping it together themselves.

Employment Outlook

The demand for nurses is one of the fastest growing in the United States and that includes the state of Minnesota. According to the Bureau of Labor Statics research shows that between the years 2012 and 2022 there will be an increase of approximately 4. 1 million jobs in the healthcare field.

Registered nurses will be of the highest demand during this growth period. Within a hospital setting an estimated 262,000 will become available. Nursing homes follow closely behind at 200,000 and medical offices just over 100,000 jobs will need to be filled.

Employment Salary

Nursing salaries vary, while nurses generally make a very nice salary there are several factors that contribute to how nice of a salary the following things are taken into consideration by an employer:

• Type of degree (LPN/LVN (Licensed Practical Nurse), AND/ANS – 2-year nursing associates degree, BSN- 4-year bachelor’s nursing degree, MSN – 5-year master’s nursing degree)
• Amount of experience as a medical nurse
• Specialty experience (critical nurse, neonatal nurse, cardiac nurse, surgical nurse, etc.) Nurses who have spent a great deal of time in a specialty area of any kind, not just the ones listed above usually warrant a higher salary than a nurse just entering a specialty area.

According to the Nurse Salary Guide, nurses in the state of Minnesota make above the national average at $77,540 a year. Are you ready to get your nursing career started?

List of the best nursing schools in Minnesota in 2024

1. Bethel University – Minnesota

Bethel University is a small, private university that takes great pride in being a leader in Christian based higher education since 1871. The university is rated one of the best Christian colleges in the U.S.

• Tuition – $27,205/year
• Acceptance Rate – 82%
• Graduation Rate – 92%
• Nursing Programs – RN, BSN, RN to BSN

2. University of Northwestern – St. Paul

The University of Northwestern – St. Paul is a 107 acre Christian based university that is rich in history with original buildings and chapels from 1902 when it was founded by Dr. William B. Riley. The university has a student body of just under 4,000 students.

• Tuition – $30,260/year (100% of students receive financial aid)
• Acceptance Rate – 87%
• Graduation Rate – 98%
• Nursing Programs –BSN

3. Crown College

Crown College is a small Christ-centered college with about 1,300 students each year. The college sits on 215 acres of beautiful land, founded in 1916. Crown College has students from at least 20 different countries each year.

• Tuition – $25,730/year (98% of students receive financial aid)
• Acceptance Rate – 53%
• Graduation Rate – 95%
• Nursing Programs –BSN

4. Winona State University

Winona State University is a large public university founded in 1858. The student body consists of nearly 8,500 students each year. WSU students are community-focused and spend over one hundred thousand hours a year doing/providing community services in their free time.

• Tuition – $23,688.50/semester (financial aid available)
• Acceptance Rate – 62%
• Graduation Rate – 58%
• Nursing Programs – RN, BSN, RN to BSN

5. University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is made up of five campuses. The flagship campus is called the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. This campus is the state of MNs’ land-grant university and known as one of the most prestigious public research universities in the country. This campus has a student body of 43,107.

• Tuition – $14,693/year
• Acceptance Rate – 44.6 %
• Graduation Rate – 80%
• Nursing Programs – BSN, MSN

Additional nursing programs include the following:

• PhD in Nursing
• DNP – Doctor of Nursing

6. St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University was founded in 1869 has a student population of 15,253 spread over a 100-acre campus. They offer over 200 programs.

• Tuition – $18,264/year (Financial aid available plus over one million dollars in grants and scholarships)
• Acceptance Rate – 46%
• Graduation Rate – 86%
• Nursing Programs – BSN, RN to BSN

7. St. Catherine University

St. Catherine University St. Kate’s is a Christian college that welcomes students of all faiths, founded in 1905 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The majority of the student body is female, while 4% is male the total student population is 4,724. St. Kate’s offers several nursing degrees.

• Tuition – $23,000/year (All students receive financial aid, grants, or scholarships)
• Acceptance Rate – 67%
• Graduation Rate – 59%
• Nursing Programs – RN, BSN, RN to BSN, MSN

8. Concordia College

Concordia College is a community-focused college, the students spend their free time giving back to the community. The student body population is about 2,100 on the campus sits on 113 acres.

• Tuition – $23,529/year (97% of the student body receives financial aid)
• Acceptance Rate – 65%
• Graduation Rate – 72%
• Nursing Programs – AND, BSN, MSN RN to BSN, Accelerated BSN program

9.  Minnesota State University, Mankato

MSU – Mankato was founded in 1927 as a teacher’s school over the years the university changed hands and in 1988 it became the Minnesota State University, Mankato campus. The student population is roughly 12,782.

• Tuition – $22,487/year (Financial aid and scholarships are available to students)
• Acceptance Rate – 67%
• Graduation Rate – 51%
• Nursing Programs – BSN, MSN

Additional nursing programs include the following:

• DNP (Doctor of Nursing)
• FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner)

10. Metropolitan State University

The Metropolitan State University was founded in 1971. The campus’s student body population is 11,375 divided among the four campuses. The university is community-focused.

• Tuition – $20,149/year (Grants, scholarships and financial aid is available for all students)
• Acceptance Rate – 100%
• Graduation Rate – 55%
• Nursing Programs – BSN, RN to BSN, MSN

Additional nursing programs include the following:

• DNP (Doctor of Nursing)
• WebWOC GCERT (Wound, Ostomy, Continence Program

11. Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University is a medium-sized university with a student population of 4,988 students. The campus has a beautiful lake on-site and woods on the side. Students are reminded daily of the American Indian heritage that the students understand while preparing for the future. Founded in 1919 by Bemidji Normal.

• Tuition – $15,000/year (Financial aid and scholarships available)
• Acceptance Rate – 94%
• Graduation Rate – 57%
• Nursing Programs – BSN, Fast Track RN to BSN

12. Saint John’s University

Saint John’s University is a Roman Catholic university is a beautiful campus of 2,100 acres, that is made up of a forest, lakes and hiking trails, making it a quiet spiritual retreat for students to go. The student population is roughly 20,000.

• Tuition – $23,000/year (Grants, scholarships and financial aid is available for all students)
• Acceptance Rate – 74%
• Graduation Rate – 81%
• Nursing Programs – Rn, BSN, RN to BSN

13. Presentation College – PC Fairmont

PC Fairmont is a Catholic educational college, with a population of 1,600 students. PC Fairmont is part of a Catholic education institution with various other colleges in neighboring communities and states.

• Tuition – $19,995/year (98% of students receive financial aid)
• Acceptance Rate – 83%
• Graduation Rate – 52%
• Nursing Programs – LPN to BSN, RN to BSN, MSN

Additional nursing programs include the following:

• MSN to FNP
• MSN to NE

14. St. Olaf College

St. Olaf was founded in 1874 by a group of pastors, farmers, and businessmen who saw the need even back then for higher education. Since it opened in 1874 the student body has continued to grow rapidly. The current student population on campus is 3,040. The campus is 750 acres with 300 acres being the college and the rest is made up of wetlands, tall prairie grass, and woodlands, St. Olaf College is associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

• Tuition – $22,000/year (Grants, scholarships and financial aid is available for all students)
• Acceptance Rate – 36%
• Graduation Rate – 89%
• Nursing Programs – BSN

15. Augsburg University

Augsburg University the home of the Auggie, located in the heart of the city. The student population is 3,41. The university has three campuses and offers over 50 degrees and the average class size is 15 students. The nursing programs are offered on two campuses – Rochester and Minneapolis.

• Tuition – $19,647.50/year (financial aid is available for all students)
• Acceptance Rate – 59%
• Graduation Rate – 63%
• Nursing Programs – BSN, MSN, DNP

16. University of St. Thomas

The University of St. Thomas is the largest private university in Minnesota. The university is home to roughly 10,000 students from 63 countries. The university is Catholic and community-focused. The students perform numerous community services. The university was founded in 1855 by Archbishop John Ireland. Average class sizes are 14 students.

• Tuition – $21,000/year (Financial aid available as well as scholarships and grants)
• Acceptance Rate – 84%
• Graduation Rate – 72%
• Nursing Programs – BSN

17. Lake Superior College

Lake Superior College is a two-year community college in Duluth, Minnesota. LSC sits on 97 acres of land and overlooks the beautiful St. Louis River Bay and Lake Superior. They offer over 200 different types of certificates, diplomas, and associates degrees and a large variety of online courses.

• Tuition – $15,203/year (Grants, scholarships and financial aid is available for all students)
• Acceptance Rate – 85%%
• Graduation Rate – 79%
• Nursing Programs – RN

18. Lake Superior College

Lake Superior College is a two-year community college in Duluth, Minnesota. LSC sits on 97 acres of land and overlooks the beautiful St. Louis River Bay and Lake Superior. They offer over 200 different types of certificates, diplomas, and associates degrees and a large variety of online courses.

• Tuition – $15,203/year (Grants, scholarships and financial aid is available for all students)
• Acceptance Rate – 100%
• Graduation Rate – 79%
• Nursing Programs – RN

19. Hibbing Community College

Hibbing Community College is a two-year college located in Hibbing, MN, it is a part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. HCC offers students a wide range of two-year degree programs that they can transfer to a four-year college some of those programs include – nursing, cooking, dental assisting, veterinarian tech, law enforcement, automotive, and several other programs HCC is a great school to get your associates degree.

• Tuition – $15,310/year (Financial aid is available for all students)
• Acceptance Rate – 100%
• Graduation Rate – 74%
• Nursing Programs – RN, LPN to RN

20. Normandale Community College

Normandale Community College is a two-year college located in Bloomington, MN. This is a partner college just like Hibbing community college after students earn their two-year associate’s degree they can transfer to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. To continue their education if they decide too.

• Tuition – $15,000/year (Financial aid is available for all students)
• Acceptance Rate –100%
• Graduation Rate – 48%
• Nursing Programs – RN, LPN to RN

Our Ranking Methodology

To determine the ranking of each college/university, we researched and assessed certain factors. These factors included – NCLEX-RN pass rate, tuition, acceptance, and graduation rate. Ultimately, the NCLEX-RN pass rate was the highest determining factor, while the other factors played a part in the ranking of each institution the higher the NCLEX-RN rate determined the rank of each college/university. If you are interested in learning more about our ranking system please feel free to visit our methodology page.

If your college/university did not make our list of best second-degree nursing programs or you would like edits made to your school if it was reviewed please feel free to contact us.