Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Minnesota

When you think of Minnesota, you probably think of lakes and outdoor activities — after all, it’s known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes and the place where waterskiing was invented. But if you’re looking at attending nursing school in Minnesota, there are many more reasons to choose the state. Minnesota is home to many of the world’s Fortune 500 companies, a fact which has been attributed to the region’s top-notch schools, amazing outdoor recreational opportunities, and overall high quality of living. U.S. News & World Report ranks Minnesota #2 on its list of Best States in the Country.

For aspiring and current nurses, the attractions of Minnesota are enhanced by the fact that nurses in the state earn average salaries that are above the national average. The presence of top-notch nursing schools and remarkable medical facilities, including the state’s top employer and the nation’s #1 ranked hospital, The Mayo Clinic, makes Minnesota even more attractive.

Minnesota’s top nursing programs:

1. Winona State University
2. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
3. Bethel University
4. The College of St. Scholastica
5. College of St. Benedict
6. Minnesota State University-Mankato
7. Minnesota State University-Moorhead
8. Bemidji State University
9. St. Catherine University
10. Augsburg University

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1.  Winona State University – Score 79

NCLEX Pass Rate – 91.36%

Annual In-State Tuition: $8,100

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $14,600

Winona State University graduates nurses with baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees. The undergraduate program tied for #183 in U.S. News & World Report’s list of Top BSN Programs in the country and has achieved a 65% graduation rate and a 96% nursing job placement rate among its graduates. The school also offers an online, asynchronous RN-to-BSN program from its Rochester campus.

The school’s Department of Graduate Nurses offers Master of Science (MS) degrees for Nurse Educator and Organizational Leadership pathways, and six Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs and six post-graduate certificate programs. All are distance-learning accessible. Winona State University also offers nurses who’ve earned their BSN but who do not want to pursue an MSN degree the ability to apply for Degree Seeking Student status. This allows those admitted to take 12 graduate-level credits before being formally admitted to any of its DNP and post-graduate certificate programs.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• RN-to-BSN (Online)
• MS (Online)
• DNP (Online)

2.  University of Minnesota/Twin Cities – Score 71

 

NCLEX Pass Rate – 85.31%

Annual In-State Tuition: $15,626

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: 34,556

The University of Minnesota/Twin Cities has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for the quality of both its BSN and DNP programs. The school offers those two programs as well as a 16-month Master of Nursing program specifically designed for aspiring nurses who have earned a bachelor’s degree in another field of study, and a PhD program that is offered in person as well as via video link.

The school is a center for nursing research, ranking 15^th in the nation for NIH funding to nursing schools. Its informatics program and its midwifery program were each recognized as #2 in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PhD

3.  Bethel University – Score 66

 

NCLEX Pass Rate – 85.31%

Annual Tuition: $41,110        

Bethel University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program tied for #251 in U.S. News & World Reports’ ranking of Best BSN Programs in the country and has a 71% graduation rate.  The program combines its nursing education with an emphasis on a Christian worldview, encouraging community engagement and offering unique study abroad opportunities.

The school also offers a fully online RN-to-BSN program that can be completed in as few as ten months. The school indicates that 95% of the program’s alumni are in leadership roles within five years of graduation. There is also a fully online MS in Nurse-Midwifery program that can be completed in two-to-three years.

Bethel offers credits for professional, life, military, and past educational experience.

CCNE-accredited program offered:

• BSN
• RN-BSN (Online)
• Accelerated BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PhD

4.  The College of St. Scholastica – Score 63

 

 

NCLEX Pass Rate – 80.49%

Annual Tuition: $38,750

A U.S. News & World Report ranked Best Nursing School, The College of St. Scholastica offers multiple pathways to the nursing degree of your choice. If you’re pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, the school offers both Direct Entry as a freshman and its ENTER program that allows undergraduate students to declare a nursing major at the end of their first semester. The school also offers an accelerated BSN degree that combines online coursework with in-person labs and clinicals, which is completed in twelve months.

The College of St. Scholastica also offers a dedicated Veteran to BS in Nursing program that recognizes the skills and qualities gained in the military with educational credits. Students are matched with a faculty member who is also a military veteran and who offers personal advisement, academic support and clinical instruction.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• RN-to-BSN
• Accelerated BSN
• Veteran to BSN
• BSN-to-DNP (Online)
• MSN-to-DNP (Online)

 

5.  College of St. Benedict – Score 54

 

 

NCLEX Pass Rate – 94.34%

Annual Tuition: $52,108

Undergraduate nursing students enrolled at the College of St. Benedict are provided a liberal arts education in combination with their nursing curriculum. Leadership and service are encouraged, and all nursing students complete a cultural immersion experience either locally or internationally in places such as Belize, South Africa, or the Dominican Republic. The school has an 80% graduation rate, and also offers 6-10 of its elite BSN students the opportunity to enroll in their 4+1 BSN-to-MSN cohort that saves a year of graduate school, and approximately $9,000 in tuition.

In addition to its undergraduate programs, the school recently expanded to include a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on leadership and education for practice, as well as  two doctorate programs, with one offering a leadership track and the other a path to becoming a family nurse practitioner.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• 4+1 BSN-MSN
• MSN (Hybrid)
• BSN-DNP (Hybrid)
• MSN-DNP (Hybrid)

6.  Minnesota State University/Mankato – Score 48

 

 

NCLEX Pass Rate – 78.49%

Annual In-State Tuition: $9,146.80

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $18,200.80

The nursing program at Minnesota State University at Mankato offers both a traditional nursing pre-licensure program and an RN baccalaureate completion program that is offered in a 100% online format. The four-year program, which has a 54% graduation rate, was among the top 100 BSN programs in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. They also offer two different DNP tracks: a full time 3-year program for BSN-degreed nurses that leads to certification as a family nurse practitioner, and a part-time, fully online track for MSN-degreed nurses.

The school’s students benefit from being taught at a 16,000-square-foot family nursing simulation center, and students, faculty, and staff from the school’s College of Allied Health and Nursing provide care at the Health Commons at Pond, a free medical clinic that provides care for area children, low-income and immigrant families.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• RN-to-BSN (Online)
• BSN-to-DNP
• MSN-to-DNP (Online)

7.  Minnesota State University/Moorhead – Score 45

 

NCLEX Pass Rate – N/A

Annual In-State Tuition: $8,540

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $17,080

Minnesota State University at Moorhead offers online and on-campus nursing programs leading to BSN and MSN degrees. The school’s BSN program is one of the top 200 programs in the country according to U.S. News & World Report, and offers multiple nursing scholarships to its students, as well as international study experiences. The RN-to-BSN program is fully online and flexible.

The MS in Nursing program offers a Nursing Education track and a Nursing Administration and Organization Systems Leadership track, both of which are taught online with monthly synchronous meetings using a virtual platform. This structure allows students to arrange their practical learning in their home area.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• RN-to-BSN (Online)
• DNP (Online) 

8.  Bemidji State University – Score 45

 

 

NCLEX Pass Rate – 80.49%

Annual Tuition: $8,690

Listed by U.S. News & World Reports as one of the top BSN programs in the country, Bemidji State University’s Department of Nursing offers both an on-campus BSN program and a fully online RN-to-BSN degree designed to accommodate the needs of working registered nurses. The school provides a dedicated support community called Niganawenimaanaanig that was specifically created for Bemidji State’s indigenous nursing students within both of these degree programs.

Bemidji State University’s campus is located in northern Minnesota. It is a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. The school has a 50% graduation rate.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• RN-to-BSN (Online) 

9.  St. Catherine University – Score 44

 

NCLEX Pass Rate – 77.97%

Annual Tuition: $46,796

In addition to having its graduate-level nursing programs nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Reports, St. Catherine University’s nursing program has also been listed as one of the top 200 BSN programs in the country. The graduate program offers multiple paths to becoming a nurse practitioner, as well as both an entry-level MSN degree for candidates who have bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing majors and for BSN-degreed nurses.

Nurses interested in earning a BSN degree can enroll in a four-year traditional BSN program through the university’s College for Women, and registered nurses with Associate’s degrees can earn a BSN online in only 10-to-12 months through the school’s College for Adults. That same division of the school also offers the opportunity for adult learners to earn their BSN by taking hybrid classes offered in the daytime, evenings, and weekends after completing prerequisite general education classes.

ACEN-accredited programs offered:

• BSN
• RN-to-BSN
• Direct Entry MSN
• MSN (Hybrid)
• DNP  (Hybrid)

10. Augsburg University – Score 35

 

NCLEX Pass Rate – N/A

Annual Tuition: $41,284

Augsburg University is a private university located in Minneapolis. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church and has a strong focus on serving diverse populations, whether at home or abroad. The school’s dedication to promoting culturally responsive health practices has led to a unique partnership with the Transcultural Nursing Society and immersion programs in places as diverse as England, Guatemala, Mexico, Namibia, and Nicaragua, as well as Minneapolis, Pine Ridge, and Rochester.

The school offers an online BSN completion program that can be completed in as little as twelve months: students who are employed by corporate or community partners of the college may be eligible for $50 off per credit hour. There is also an online MSN completion program that is offered via synchronous Zoom with asynchronous learning between sessions, a hybrid DNP-FNP program that can be completed on a full-time basis in four years, and a DNP in Transcultural Nursing Leadership.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

• RN-to-BSN (Online
• MSN (Online)
• DNP (Hybrid)

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How to choose the right nursing program

Maybe you’ve always wanted to be a nurse, or maybe you’ve just come to the decision after carefully evaluating several careers and their potential. Maybe you’re already a nurse and you’ve decided to go back to school to advance professionally. Whatever your situation, you now need to evaluate the Minnesota programs that fit your goal and choose the one you want to attend. Each school has its own advantages, and you need to compare those attributes with your priorities and needs. Tuition, reputation, and availability of flexible scheduling are just a few items you’ll want to weigh.

Location 

Minnesota’s nursing schools are located in cities, in wooded, sylvan settings, and in the midst of suburbia. If you’ll be living on campus the atmosphere is an important consideration, and if you’re commuting you’ll want to think about your drive. On the flip side, many of these programs are offered online, allowing you to take location out of your thought process. 

Tuition

There’s no getting around the importance of cost when deciding on a nursing school. Private nursing schools tend to charge significantly more per credit hour than public universities, even if you’re from out of state. Compare the tuition that’s being charged to your personal budget, but also look into the availability of scholarships, grants, and personal student loans. 

NCLEX pass rate 

As unique as each nursing program may be, they all share one thing in common: their graduates need to pass the NCLEX exam in order to be licensed as a nurse. A school’s NCLEX pass rate is a reflection of how well it has prepared its students for this standardized exam, and is a useful metric for students considering attending. 

Programs offered 

Nursing schools offer programs to suit a wide range of needs, from LPN-to-BSN programs all the way to PhD programs. No matter how appealing you find a campus or how wonderful a school’s reputation, if they don’t offer the program or pathway that you need, you will have to leave them off of your list. 

Graduation rate  

For students considering a particular nursing school’s BSN program, graduation rate can help assess whether a school is delivering on its students’ expectations. The statistic represents the percentage of students who enter the school as freshman and who complete a four-year degree within six years. Though a school’s graduation rate does not include students who transfer in, attendees of RN-to-BSN programs or graduate students, it is still worth considering when deciding whether a school is right for you. 

Next steps

If only getting into a top Minnesota nursing school were as easy as choosing the one you want to attend. Unfortunately, the selection process is only the beginning. Once you’ve decided it’s time to fill out applications, submit fees, request transcripts and letters of recommendation, and write a personal statement explaining why you’ll be an asset to the program and the profession. Remember that the best way to approach a big project like this is to take it one step at a time, staying organized and on top of deadlines.

And once you’ve gotten into your desired school, you’ll be astonished by how time flies. Your graduation will signal your qualifications to Minnesota’s top employers. While your talent will lead the way, you still will need to stay on top of the state’s licensing and continuing education requirements. Incredible Health makes it easy for you to keep up with those CEU needs by offering free courses and immediate certificates upon completion. We also have a robust and active community of Minnesota nurses who will be happy to offer state-specific guidance and support.

Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

We used data from: 

• Winona State University
• University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
• Bethel University
• The College of St. Scholastica
• College of St. Benedict
• Minnesota State University-Mankato
• Minnesota State University-Moorhead
• Bemidji State University
• St. Catherine University
• Augsburg University
• Minnesota Board of Nursing
• Federal Student Aid
• U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings

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