Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for nursing programs near Bloomington, Minnesota.
Bloomington occupies a sweet spot in the Twin Cities metro: a short drive from major health systems like Allina Health, M Health Fairview, and Hennepin Healthcare, yet still suburban enough to offer manageable commutes for clinical rotations.
Nursing students here choose between a four-year traditional BSN, an accelerated second-degree pathway, or an online RN-to-BSN for working nurses, with Minnesota nursing programs spanning both campus-based and hybrid formats.
The real decision often comes down to cost versus speed: faster tracks command higher per-credit prices, while the cheapest options typically take longer. Minnesota’s push toward a BSN-prepared workforce means employers strongly favor graduates who complete a bachelor’s, making the up-front investment difficult to ignore.
The Bloomington area offers a rare combination of suburban campus access and the clinical density of the Twin Cities metro. The following nursing programs stand out for their proximity, quality, and career outcomes, starting with the only school with a dedicated Bloomington campus.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | Rasmussen University-Minnesota | St. Cloud, MN | $18,000/yr | South-metro residents prioritizing campus proximity | |
Rasmussen University's Bloomington School of Nursing is the only nursing program with a dedicated campus in Bloomington, located on West 78th Street. It offers a CCNE-accredited BSN through a hybrid format that blends online coursework with in-person classes, and no prerequisite courses are required for admission. The campus provides extended hours, small class sizes, and robust support services tailored to working and commuting students. Accelerated BSN and online RN-to-BSN pathways are also available, making it a flexible option for south-metro residents.
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| #2 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | $17,000/yr | In-state students seeking a public university prestige | |
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities BSN program combines the resources of a Big 10 research university with a 92% graduation rate and an 89% first-time NCLEX pass rate. Its location in Minneapolis and Rochester gives Bloomington-area students access to a vast clinical network through M Health Fairview and other Twin Cities partners, just a short commute away. As a public institution, it offers in-state tuition and participates in reciprocity agreements with Wisconsin and the Midwest Student Exchange Program, potentially lowering costs for eligible neighboring-state residents.
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| #3 | University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | $29,000/yr | High-earning graduates pursuing holistic nursing | |
The University of St. Thomas BSN program emphasizes whole-person wellness, health equity, and cultural responsiveness within a Catholic intellectual tradition. Its direct admission pathway requires a high school GPA of 3.5, while a general admission option serves transfer students. The program's Twin Cities location provides robust clinical placements accessible from Bloomington, and graduates benefit from strong earnings potential, with a median 10-year income of $73,739. A Direct Entry MSN pathway is also available for those with a prior bachelor's degree.
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| #4 | Bethel University | Saint Paul, MN | $29,000/yr (net price) | ||
Bethel University offers a Christ-centered BSN in Saint Paul with strong Twin Cities clinical connections that are easily reachable from Bloomington. The traditional campus-based program emphasizes evidence-based practice and integrates faith into nursing education, with a 71% graduation rate and a median graduate debt of $21,500. For career changers, a hybrid Post-Baccalaureate Nursing option combines online didactic work with in-person labs and clinicals in the metro area, designed to be completed in 15–20 months.
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| #5 | The College of Saint Scholastica | Duluth, MN | $28,000/yr (net price) | ||
The College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth offers a traditional BSN with a strong reputation as a top nursing talent provider in Minnesota. The program emphasizes patient-centered care with hands-on learning in skills and simulation labs, guided by Benedictine values. Multiple admission pathways include direct entry for high school students and transfer options, though its Duluth location makes it a farther commute for Bloomington residents seeking a campus-based experience.
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| #6 | 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 starts nursing courses in the first semester, blending classroom, clinical, and simulation lab experiences. The program requires over 500 clinical hours and boasts a low net price of $11,704 for private institutions, with a focus on holistic, compassionate care. Located outside the Twin Cities, it offers a quieter campus setting but requires a longer commute from Bloomington.
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| #7 | College of Saint Benedict | Saint Joseph, MN | $27,000/yr (net price) | ||
The College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph delivers a BSN in partnership with Saint John's University, featuring a direct admission option and a 4+1 pathway for eligible seniors to begin graduate work early. The curriculum emphasizes leadership, diversity, and evidence-based practice, with clinical experiences that include cultural immersion opportunities. Its central Minnesota location is not directly connected to Bloomington, but it offers a distinctive women's college environment.
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| #8 | Saint Johns University | Collegeville, MN | $26,000/yr | ||
Saint John's University in Collegeville provides a BSN jointly with the College of Saint Benedict, sharing the same curriculum, direct admission pathway, and clinical immersion opportunities. The program is grounded in Catholic and Benedictine values, with a strong emphasis on leadership and cultural competency. Its rural central Minnesota setting is a considerable distance from Bloomington, but it may appeal to students seeking a residential liberal arts experience.
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| #9 | Riverland Community College | Austin, MN | $7,000/yr (net price) | ||
Riverland Community College in Austin offers an associate degree in nursing (ADN) that prepares students for RN licensure in just 24 months. The ACEN-accredited program blends online and on-campus learning with hands-on clinical experiences at multiple sites. While affordable, with a net price of $7,427, its location far from Bloomington means students would need to relocate or commute long distances for the on-campus components.
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| #10 | Alexandria Technical & Community College | Alexandria, MN | $14,000/yr (net price) | ||
Alexandria Technical & Community College's ADN program is designed for LPNs seeking to become registered nurses, with a curriculum that spans two semesters after prerequisites. The program boasts high NCLEX-RN pass rates and strong job placement, but its location in Alexandria makes it impractical for Bloomington-area students unless they are willing to relocate. A minimum 2.75 GPA, LPN license, and CPR certification are required for admission.
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We built this list to help you compare BSN programs near Bloomington using consistent, publicly available data. The ranking reflects three dimensions that matter for both affordability and outcomes.
The ranking includes schools within a 75-mile radius of Bloomington. That captures commuting-distance programs in the Twin Cities metro and beyond, not just campuses physically in the city.
We pull data from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS and College Scorecard databases, plus institutional reports where necessary. These sources provide standardized metrics for fair comparison.
We do not factor NCLEX pass rates or clinical partner quality into the ranking algorithm. Those elements are covered separately later in the article, so check the NCLEX and clinical placement sections for detailed breakdowns.
The listed tuition and fees for a BSN program can differ sharply from the actual net price after grants and scholarships. The infographic below compares published in-state tuition with the average net price paid by full-time undergraduates, a figure that reflects institutional and federal aid. Nursing students may see higher or lower costs depending on their individual financial aid packages.
NCLEX-RN pass rates serve as the most transparent signal of a nursing program's quality, and the Bloomington-area figures reveal meaningful variation that aspiring nurses should weigh carefully.
Rasmussen University’s Bloomington campus posted an 81.82% NCLEX-RN pass rate for BSN graduates in 20251. This number underperforms when set beside the 93% pass rate achieved by Rasmussen’s Minnesota BSN programs collectively in 20232. While the 2023 figure encompasses multiple campuses, the gap suggests that Bloomington students may face distinct challenges or that the program is in a rebuilding phase. Prospective students should inquire about recent curriculum changes or tutoring resources that might improve outcomes.
NCLEX success does more than meet licensure requirements, it signals how thoroughly a program prepares graduates for real-world clinical judgment. Employers often view pass rates as a proxy for workforce readiness, and low rates can affect hiring perceptions. Additionally, programs with persistently weak numbers risk losing accreditation standing. Checking a school’s multi-year trend, not just a single data point, offers the clearest view of stability and long-term quality.
With 600–800 required clinical hours, Rasmussen University’s BSN program in Bloomington connects students to major Twin Cities health systems including Allina Health, M Health Fairview, Hennepin Healthcare, HealthPartners/Regions, and North Memorial Health. These partnerships place nursing students in a range of acute care, community, and specialty settings across the metro area, ensuring exposure to diverse patient populations.
Because Bloomington sits at the southern edge of the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro, nursing students gain clinical experience at some of the region’s largest and most respected hospitals. Common rotation sites include: - Allina Health – Abbott Northwestern, United, and Mercy hospitals - M Health Fairview – University of Minnesota Medical Center, Southdale Hospital, and Fairview Ridges - Hennepin Healthcare – Level I trauma center and safety-net hospital in downtown Minneapolis - HealthPartners/Regions – Regions Hospital, a Level I trauma and burn center, plus community clinics - North Memorial Health – Robbinsdale Hospital and Maple Grove locations
These affiliations give students access to medical-surgical, obstetrics, pediatrics, psychiatry, community health, and leadership rotations, matching the 600–800 hours of hands-on practice Minnesota BSN programs typically require.
The depth and variety of clinical placements directly influence skill development and post-graduation hiring. Rotating through a Level I trauma center like Hennepin or Regions exposes you to high-acuity cases that build confidence in critical thinking. A public health rotation with a safety-net system deepens your understanding of community needs. And because many of these health systems hire new graduates from their affiliate schools, a strong performance during clinicals can lead to a job offer before you even take the NCLEX.
Bloomington’s proximity to these systems means students commute to sites from Edina to Maplewood, broadening their network and helping them identify the specialty and work environment that fits them best.
Getting into a BSN program in the Bloomington area depends on the type of school you choose. Admissions requirements can vary significantly between private universities like Rasmussen University Bloomington, large public universities, and liberal arts colleges.
At Rasmussen University's Bloomington campus, the prelicensure BSN program is designed with few upfront barriers: there are no prerequisite courses outside the degree plan1, and a high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum education requirement2. You must attend a nursing information session3 and take the TEAS or NLN PAX entrance exam, although specific score minimums are not published. Additional requirements include current immunizations and CPR certification2.
By contrast, many other BSN programs in the region list common prerequisites such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and statistics. Minimum GPAs of 2.75 to 3.0 are typical, though competitive applicants often present a 3.5 or higher. Entrance exams like the ATI TEAS are standard, and smaller private colleges may request scores but not set rigid cutoffs. Always confirm the exact prerequisites and exam policies on each school's admissions page, because details vary.
Rasmussen University operates on a rolling admission calendar with multiple cohort starts each year1, so you can apply when you're ready without waiting for a single annual deadline. This flexible model contrasts with most traditional university programs that accept students once per year, with application windows closing in winter or spring for a fall start. For these programs, applying early is wise.
Federal data shows institution-wide acceptance rates at nearby colleges ranging from about 80% to 93%, but this reflects the whole applicant pool, not nursing majors. Nursing programs often have limited clinical placements and may be considerably more selective. While some schools share program-specific admission rates, others do not. Rasmussen strongly encourages prospective students to contact an admissions representative early2, both to verify current requirements and to discuss financial aid and transfer options.
Navigating nursing school options in Bloomington, MN? This FAQ addresses the most common questions from prospective students, covering local program availability, typical costs, NCLEX outcomes, time commitments, and accelerated degree paths.
Looking beyond the top-ranked options, Minnesota offers many additional nursing programs within a 75-mile radius of Bloomington. Each school in the directory below holds ACEN or CCNE accreditation and provides a clear path to RN licensure. Explore their profiles on topnursing.org for details on tuition, admission requirements, and student outcomes.
