Compare NCLEX pass rates, costs, and outcomes for every ranked BSN program across Minnesota.
Minnesota's healthcare ecosystem, anchored by Mayo Clinic and nearly a dozen regional health systems, drives sustained demand for BSN-prepared nurses. Starting salaries reflect this demand: top program graduates report 10-year median earnings above $60,000, with many achieving a three-to-one return on their net price investment.
Among the 29 accredited prelicensure programs evaluated, a small cluster stands out for NCLEX pass rates, clinical placements, and total cost. These schools offer clear pathways into a job market where BSN expectations are the near-universal standard.
Minnesota offers a diverse range of nursing education pathways, from public Big 10 universities to private liberal arts colleges and community colleges. Below are this year's top-ranked programs, selected for their academic quality, graduation rates, and clinical preparation.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | $17,000/yr | Research university with strong clinical partnerships | |
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers a BSN program that combines Big 10 resources with a tight-knit college feel on its Minneapolis and Rochester campuses. Accredited by CCNE, it boasts a 92% graduation rate and an 89% first-time NCLEX pass rate. The school participates in the Minnesota-Wisconsin tuition reciprocity agreement and runs targeted pipelines like the Doctoral Education Pathway for American Indian/Alaska Native nurses, while extensive clinical partnerships across the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota provide hands-on training.
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| #2 | Alexandria Technical & Community College | Alexandria, MN | $14,000/yr (net price) | Budget-conscious ADN students in central MN | |
Alexandria Technical & Community College in Alexandria provides an affordable Associate Degree in Nursing known for high NCLEX-RN pass rates and strong job placement in central Minnesota. The 24-month program requires LPN licensure and a 2.75 GPA, serving as a common entry point for students who later transfer to in-state BSN programs.
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| #3 | University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | $29,000/yr | Metro students focused on health equity | |
The University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul offers a BSN that focuses on whole-person wellness and health equity, integrating nursing courses with liberal arts and supporting sciences. Direct admission is available for high school students with a 3.5 GPA, while a general admission pathway serves transfer students. Clinical placements in Twin Cities health systems emphasize care for immigrant, refugee, and urban underserved populations. The school also offers a Direct Entry MSN for career changers.
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| #4 | Rasmussen University-Minnesota | St. Cloud, MN | $18,000/yr | ||
Rasmussen University's St. Cloud campus offers a CCNE-accredited BSN with hybrid online and in-person learning, designed for working adults and non-traditional students. No prerequisite courses are required, and multiple start dates per year accommodate flexible scheduling. Small class sizes, hands-on clinical experience, and options for standard or accelerated timelines make it a practical choice across Minnesota.
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| #5 | Riverland Community College | Austin, MN | $7,000/yr (net price) | ||
Riverland Community College in Austin offers an affordable, ACEN-accredited Associate Degree in Nursing (RN Track) that blends online and on-campus instruction. The 24-month program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN with strong clinical ties in southern Minnesota and established transfer pathways to BSN programs.
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| #6 | Saint Johns University | Collegeville, MN | $26,000/yr | ||
Saint John's University in Collegeville, in partnership with the College of Saint Benedict, offers a BSN that combines liberal arts with clinical training. The program features state-of-the-art technology, direct admission, a 4+1 graduate work option, and cultural immersion experiences. Graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX-RN and for serving diverse populations across central Minnesota.
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| #7 | The College of Saint Scholastica | Duluth, MN | $28,000/yr (net price) | ||
The College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth is recognized as a top nursing talent provider for northeastern Minnesota. Its campus-based BSN emphasizes patient-centered care through skills and simulation labs, and offers multiple admission pathways including Direct Entry for high school students. Clinical partnerships span the Duluth, Iron Range, and rural northern Minnesota regions.
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| #8 | College of Saint Benedict | Saint Joseph, MN | $27,000/yr (net price) | ||
The College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, sharing the CSB/SJU nursing program, offers a BSN with a strong liberal arts foundation, direct admission, and a 4+1 graduate pathway. Clinical training and cultural immersion experiences prepare students for the NCLEX-RN and for serving diverse communities in central Minnesota.
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| #9 | Bethel University | Saint Paul, MN | $29,000/yr (net price) | ||
Bethel University in Saint Paul offers a Christ-centered BSN program with state-of-the-art simulation labs and strong Twin Cities clinical connections. The traditional BSN integrates faith and evidence-based practice, while an accelerated hybrid Post-Baccalaureate track serves career changers. High alumni employment in Minnesota underscores the program's regional impact.
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| #10 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | Winona, MN | $12,000/yr (net price) | ||
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona provides a four-year BSN that begins nursing courses in the first semester, with over 500 hours of clinical experience. The CCNE-accredited program focuses on holistic, compassionate care and contributes significantly to the nursing workforce in southeastern Minnesota, including the Winona and Rochester corridors.
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Prestige-based rankings emphasize reputation surveys and historical name recognition; our process weights current, verifiable data that directly impacts your education investment. The 2026 ranking of Minnesota BSN programs reflects a multi-factor model designed to surface schools that deliver strong academics, affordable net cost, and solid career outcomes.
Each program is evaluated across four weighted categories: net price, graduation rate, program outcomes, and format diversity. Net price data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and represents the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students: it is not a personalized financial aid quote. The graduation rate factor also draws from IPEDS and reflects institution-wide success, not just the nursing program, providing a broader view of student support. Program outcomes include licensure exam performance and access to clinical sites, though NCLEX pass rates and clinical affiliations are discussed separately because they originate from state nursing boards and school disclosures rather than federal datasets. Format diversity rewards programs offering online, accelerated, or part-time tracks that give you flexibility.
All rankings have limitations. Institution-wide graduation rates and average net price paint a useful picture but do not replace your own research. Your actual cost will depend on your financial situation, and a program's specific graduation rate may differ. We present these metrics as directional signals, not definitive verdicts. For a complete walkthrough of factor weights and normalization, visit our methodology page at /rankings-methodology/.
Many nursing school rankings stop at reputation and test scores. This list stands apart by folding in earnings and debt outcomes from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. That means the schools that rise to the top aren't just academically rigorous: they tend to produce graduates who earn more relative to the debt they take on. This integration of federal earnings data makes the ranking a practical tool for comparing long-term value, not just classroom quality.
NCLEX pass rates measure the percentage of a nursing program’s graduates who pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses on their first attempt. The NCLEX-RN is the gateway to licensure, so first-time pass rates serve as a direct, publicly reported indicator of how well a program prepares students for the demands of entry-level nursing practice. A high pass rate signals that graduates leave with the clinical judgment and knowledge the exam requires. Over multiple years, pass rate trends reveal a program’s consistency and commitment to continuous improvement.
Exam performance is more than a single score. When prospective students compare BSN programs, first-time NCLEX pass rates offer a transparent measure of academic quality and student support. Programs that consistently prepare students to pass on the first attempt typically invest in strong curriculum design, simulation resources, and dedicated NCLEX preparation. Conversely, a pattern of low or declining pass rates may suggest gaps in instruction or limited remediation resources.
Because the NCLEX evolves to reflect current practice, pass rates can dip nationally in a given year, which makes multi-year performance more telling than a single snapshot. For students, the stakes are practical: retaking the exam costs time and money, and in most states, a graduate cannot work as an RN until licensure is secured.
Complete, school-by-school BSN pass rate data for Minnesota is not always published in a single, easily compared place. However, available numbers for St. Catherine University’s BSN program provide a concrete example alongside state and national benchmarks:
St. Catherine’s improvement from 88% to 91% brought its graduates’ performance in line with the national average in 2024 and above the state average for that year. The 2024 state average of 89.46% improved considerably from 2023 but still sat slightly below the national figure. The 2025 national average, at 86.7%, reflects a broader statistical dip that followed changes to the exam; 2025 school-level data for Minnesota programs are not yet widely available.
A 90% first-time pass rate is a common rule-of-thumb threshold for program quality. Programs that achieve or exceed 90% across multiple years demonstrate a track record of successful preparation. For prospecting students, that benchmark can narrow choices quickly. In the example above, St. Catherine’s move from 88% to 91% shows positive momentum that places it above that line.
At the same time, a single year just below 90% is not necessarily a deal-breaker. Context matters: if a program’s rate dips one year but recovers the next, it may reflect a temporary adjustment issue rather than a systemic problem. The safer signal is a persistent trend below 85% or a pattern of decline over two to three years. Used wisely, NCLEX pass rate data helps you ask the right questions during program research without over-indexing on a single number.
The table below compares costs for the top nursing programs in Minnesota, separating public and private institutions. Net price reflects the total cost of attendance minus the average amount of federal, state, and institutional aid; actual costs will vary based on family income and merit scholarships. Keep in mind that program-specific fees such as lab fees, clinical fees, and background checks are not included in these figures.
| School | Type | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price After Aid | Median Graduate Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverland Community College | Public | $6,297 | $6,297 | $7,427 | $12,000 |
| South Central College | Public | $6,146 | $6,146 | $9,082 | $12,000 |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College | Public | $6,124 | $6,124 | $9,635 | $12,000 |
| Ridgewater College | Public | $6,121 | $6,121 | $10,046 | $12,000 |
| Minnesota North College | Public | $6,022 | $6,022 | $10,432 | $12,000 |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College | Public | $6,491 | $6,491 | $11,191 | $10,987 |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | Private | $45,080 | $45,080 | $11,704 | $21,500 |
| Alexandria Technical & Community College | Public | $6,236 | $6,236 | $13,691 | $12,000 |
| Central Lakes College-Brainerd | Public | $6,249 | $6,249 | $13,869 | $11,000 |
| Northland Community and Technical College | Public | $6,289 | $6,289 | $13,975 | $12,000 |
| Bemidji State University | Public | $10,237 | $10,237 | $15,261 | $19,750 |
| Minnesota State College Southeast | Public | $6,432 | $6,432 | $16,140 | $12,971 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Public | $17,214 | $38,362 | $16,778 | $19,500 |
| Metropolitan State University | Public | $9,840 | $9,840 | $16,863 | $17,100 |
| Winona State University | Public | $10,576 | $17,308 | $17,503 | $21,500 |
Program-level earnings data for the early years after graduation are not yet published for Minnesota nursing programs, but the College Scorecard’s 10-year median earnings figures reveal strong long-term value. Graduates of the top-performing schools earn three to four times their total student debt, with debt loads often under $12,000. By comparison, the median annual wage for registered nurses in Minnesota was $102,320 in 2025 (BLS), indicating that even institution-wide earnings estimates can land close to statewide nursing benchmarks. It’s important to remember that Scorecard earnings track all federally aided students at each institution, not solely nursing graduates, so these ratios should be viewed as a broad gauge of economic return. For the most current program-specific outcomes, check the school’s licensure exam pass rates and employment reports.
In Minnesota, a fully online prelicensure BSN is not available because clinical hours must be completed in person. Most online BSN offerings are RN-to-BSN completion programs for current registered nurses. The majority of prelicensure BSN programs are on-campus, while a growing number of schools offer hybrid formats that blend online coursework with periodic on-site labs and clinical rotations.
| On-Campus | Online (RN-to-BSN) | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | Structured, fixed schedule with daily or weekly in-person classes and labs; best for students who can commit to a full-time, on-site routine. | Asynchronous coursework with no set class times; ideal for working RNs who need maximum flexibility, but not an option for initial licensure. |
| Clinical Logistics | Programs arrange clinical rotations at partner hospitals and health systems; students attend clinicals during regular semester weeks at designated sites. | Clinical hours are required but typically self-arranged; often a capstone or practicum project completed near the student's home under a preceptor. |
| Typical Net Price | Ranges widely: public schools like Riverland Community College have a net price as low as $7,427, while private schools like University of St Thomas can reach $29,155. | Example: Augsburg University's online RN-to-BSN has a net price of $23,873. |
| Cohort Size | Varies by institution: Bemidji State reports 50-60 students per cohort; larger universities like U of M have bigger groups, while small colleges keep classes intimate. | No set cohort; enrollment is continuous, with students progressing at their own pace through the program. |
| Completion Timeline | Traditional BSN takes 4 years of full-time study, including prerequisite and nursing courses. | As few as 12 months for the RN-to-BSN pathway (Augsburg University), if transferring in an associate degree in nursing. |
Accelerated second-degree programs and LPN-to-BSN bridge pathways may both lead to a BSN, but they start from very different places. The first option condenses nursing coursework for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, while the second builds on the clinical experience of licensed practical nurses. Both can shorten the traditional four-year BSN timeline, though the sacrifices, full-time immersion, few breaks, and rigorous clinical schedules, are real.
Several Minnesota schools offer accelerated or post-baccalaureate BSN tracks specifically for career changers with a non-nursing undergraduate degree. These programs typically run 12 to 20 months and deliver classroom content through hybrid, blended, or in-person formats.
All these pathways demand full-time commitment. While they grant a BSN in a fraction of the usual time, clinical hours are compressed, not eliminated. Expect intensive semesters with little room for outside work.
For working LPNs, bridge programs offer a way to earn a BSN while leveraging existing nursing credits and experience. St. Catherine University’s BSN for Adult Learners (21 months, hybrid) is one such route: LPNs can receive advanced standing, trimming total credits from 50 to 47. Many Minnesota state universities and community colleges also host LPN-to-BSN tracks, often called advanced standing or articulation pathways. These programs typically take two to three years and may include evening or weekend classes to accommodate working nurses. Because formats and lengths vary widely, prospective students should contact schools directly for the most current details.
BSN graduates in Minnesota tap into a high-demand employer network anchored by Mayo Clinic, Allina Health, M Health Fairview, and Essentia Health. This concentration of major health systems generally shortens the job search and delivers starting salaries that outpace average student debt, giving newly licensed nurses strong financial footing right out of school.
Choosing a BSN program in Minnesota means weighing clinical opportunities against cost, location, and admissions difficulty. The right school for you depends on where you want to work after graduation, how flexible your schedule needs to be, and how competitive your academic profile is.
Clinical placements are the backbone of your nursing education, and Minnesota’s largest health systems set the stage. Programs in the Twin Cities, like the University of Minnesota and St. Catherine University, frequently rotate students through M Health Fairview, Allina Health, and Hennepin Healthcare, offering experience in Level I trauma centers and specialty units. Winona State University’s Rochester campus maintains deep ties with Mayo Clinic, while the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth emphasizes Essentia Health and St. Luke’s. If you see yourself practicing in a rural or community setting, look for schools with established partnerships at Sanford Health or CentraCare, which can lead to preceptorships and job offers in greater Minnesota.
Before you apply, ask directly: - Placement volume: How many clinical hours are guaranteed, and at what types of facilities? - Specialty access: Are rotations in pediatrics, ICU, or behavioral health built in, or must you compete for slots? - Preceptor matching: Does the program pair you with a consistent mentor across semesters?
Admissions data from 2025 shows that Minnesota BSN programs set academic bars you can plan around. The University of Minnesota’s competitive pool typically sees a 20–35% acceptance rate and expects a minimum 3.0 prerequisite GPA; it does not require an entrance exam. Most other ranked schools lean on the ATI TEAS, with cutoffs between 58% and 65%. St. Catherine University’s range is 30–50% admitted, seeking a GPA of 2.5–2.75 and a TEAS score of at least 58–65%. Winona State and Bethel University both ask for a 2.75–3.0 GPA and a TEAS performance in that same band, with admit rates around 25–40% and 30–50% respectively. Gustavus Adolphus College and the College of St. Scholastica set their GPA floor at 2.75, with St. Scholastica requiring a slightly higher TEAS minimum of 65%.
These figures are guideposts, not guarantees. A strong TEAS score can offset a borderline GPA, and vice versa. Early application improves your odds at programs where seats fill on a rolling basis.
Where you learn shapes where you’re likely to practice. Urban programs in Minneapolis–St. Paul offer exposure to fast-paced academic medical centers and diverse patient populations. Rural-focused pathways, such as those through Minnesota State University Mankato or Bemidji State University, emphasize community health clinics and critical-access hospitals. If you intend to work in a small-town setting, training near that environment, and building a network with local preceptors, can smooth the job search. Conversely, if your goal is a metropolitan ICU or research hospital, prioritizing clinical rotations at Fairview or Mayo is smart.
Once you have a shortlist of two or three programs, take these concrete actions: - Request detailed program information packets from each school to compare clinical placement maps, NCLEX pass rates, and total costs. - Review the net price calculator and financial aid award letters side by side; a lower sticker price can still result in higher debt if scholarships are scarce. - Arrange to visit clinical sites or attend an information session where you can talk to current students about their rotation experiences.
Putting in this legwork now will help you choose a Minnesota BSN program that fits your budget, schedule, and career vision.
For prospective nursing students in Minnesota, these are the most common questions about BSN programs. Answers draw from the detailed rankings, cost analysis, and career data featured throughout this article. Use these FAQs to quickly find the information you need to choose the right nursing school.
Beyond the top 10, Minnesota offers many additional nursing programs that may better fit your location, schedule, or budget. Browse this directory to explore more schools across the state.
