Compare tuition, NCLEX outcomes, and clinical options for BSN programs in the West Metro and Twin Cities area.
St Louis Park sits inside the Twin Cities healthcare belt, with Methodist Hospital and nearby Fairview, Allina, and M Health Fairview facilities driving constant demand for new RNs. Commuting students can choose from BSN, ADN, and direct-entry MSN programs offered by nursing schools in Minnesota within a 75-mile radius. The trade-off is rarely straightforward: accelerated options may shorten time-to-licensure but increase upfront cost and intensity, while affordable community-college ADNs require a longer route to the baccalaureate degree many hospitals now prefer. In this market, a program’s NCLEX pass rates and clinical rotations at major Twin Cities health systems can outweigh a low tuition headline.
This ranking weighs cost, graduation rates, and alumni earnings to give a balanced view of BSN, ADN, and direct-entry MSN programs accessible to St Louis Park residents.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | $17,000/yr | Big Ten nursing with top outcomes | |
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities delivers a rigorous BSN backed by the resources of a major research university. With an 85% institution-wide graduation rate and a 92% program completion rate, it blends a small-college feel with Big Ten scale. Its CCNE-accredited program boasts an 89% first-time NCLEX pass rate, and graduates earn a median $69,020 a decade out.
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| #2 | Alexandria Technical & Community College | Alexandria, MN | $14,000/yr (net price) | LPNs advancing to RN licensure | |
Alexandria Technical & Community College offers a focused ADN track designed exclusively for licensed LPNs. The two-semester post-prerequisite program reports strong NCLEX-RN pass rates and job placement outcomes. With a net price of $13,691 and median graduate debt of just $12,000, it is an efficient, affordable bridge to registered nursing.
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| #3 | University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | $29,000/yr | Whole-person care advocates | |
The University of St. Thomas prepares nurses through a BSN and a direct-entry MSN, both emphasizing whole-person wellness and health equity. The institution's 76% graduation rate and 88% retention rate reflect strong student support. Direct admission is available for high school graduates with a 3.5 GPA, and the 21-month MSN track welcomes career changers with no prior nursing experience.
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| #4 | Rasmussen University-Minnesota | St. Cloud, MN | $18,000/yr | ||
Rasmussen University's hybrid BSN offers flexible entry points for newcomers and degree-holders alike. No prerequisite courses are required, and small class sizes (around 23 students) foster personalized instruction. With a 100% institution-wide retention rate and multiple start dates per year, the program is designed for working adults who need to balance school with other commitments.
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| #5 | Riverland Community College | Austin, MN | $7,000/yr (net price) | ||
Riverland Community College provides an ACEN-accredited ADN that can be completed in 24 months. The program blends online coursework with in-person clinicals, keeping total costs low; the net price is just $7,427. Graduates are eligible for Minnesota RN licensure and benefit from dedicated nursing scholarships and transfer pathways to BSN completion.
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| #6 | Saint Johns University | Collegeville, MN | $26,000/yr | ||
Saint John's University, a Catholic liberal arts college, offers a BSN that integrates leadership, diversity, and evidence-based practice. Students gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art technology and can choose a cultural immersion locally or abroad. Direct admission is available, and a 4+1 option lets eligible seniors begin graduate work early.
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| #7 | The College of Saint Scholastica | Duluth, MN | $28,000/yr (net price) | ||
The College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth enjoys a strong reputation as a top nursing talent provider in Minnesota. Its campus-based traditional BSN stresses patient-centered care and evidence-based practice, supported by hands-on skills and simulation laboratories. Multiple admission pathways, including Direct Entry and Transfer Direct Entry, accommodate different student backgrounds.
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| #8 | College of Saint Benedict | Saint Joseph, MN | $27,000/yr (net price) | ||
College of Saint Benedict, a women's college, shares its BSN curriculum with Saint John's University, delivering the same rigorous education with a focus on leadership and diversity. Students benefit from state-of-the-art simulation technology and cultural immersion opportunities. Direct Admission and a 4+1 graduate option provide seamless academic progression.
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| #9 | Bethel University | Saint Paul, MN | $29,000/yr (net price) | ||
Bethel University offers a Christ-centered BSN and an accelerated post-baccalaureate track for career changers. Both lean on strong clinical partnerships across the Twin Cities and state-of-the-art simulation labs. The traditional BSN boasts high alumni employment rates, while the 15-20 month hybrid post-bac program provides a swift path to RN licensure for those who already hold a bachelor's degree.
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| #10 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | Winona, MN | $12,000/yr (net price) | ||
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota offers a four-year BSN that launches nursing coursework in the very first semester. Students accumulate over 500 clinical hours, and the curriculum is grounded in holistic, compassionate care. CCNE accreditation, a net price of just $11,704, and rolling admissions make the program accessible to a wide range of aspiring nurses.
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Unlike directory-style listings that merely alphabetize schools, this ranking uses verified federal data to compare programs on metrics that matter to nursing students. The eligible universe includes every institution within a 75-mile radius of St Louis Park, Minnesota. We then evaluate each program across four core dimensions: net price after financial aid, graduation rates, program-level earnings outcomes, and median student debt for graduates. All figures are drawn from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and IPEDS databases, ensuring consistency and transparency.
Our algorithmic ranking intentionally omits two factors often cited in program selection: NCLEX pass rates and clinical site quality. NCLEX performance can fluctuate from year to year, and clinical placement data is rarely standardized across institutions. Instead, we address these topics separately in the article’s NCLEX and clinical site section, providing context without letting them skew the overall ranking. The result is a focused, financially grounded assessment that helps prospective nurses balance affordability, academic quality, and career preparedness.
Nursing program costs in Minnesota range widely depending on institution type. Public community and technical colleges offer low in-state tuition, often under $6,500 per year, while private universities like Saint Mary's list much higher sticker prices. However, net price averages, which factor in grants and scholarships, show that many schools become affordable after aid, with out-of-pocket costs sometimes below $12,000.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price | Median Graduate Debt | Median Earnings (10yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverland Community College | $6,297 | $6,297 | $7,427 | $12,000 | $45,247 |
| South Central College | $6,146 | $6,146 | $9,082 | $12,000 | $45,068 |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College | $6,124 | $6,124 | $9,635 | $12,000 | $46,874 |
| Ridgewater College | $6,121 | $6,121 | $10,046 | $12,000 | $43,827 |
| Minnesota North College | $6,022 | $6,022 | $10,432 | $12,000 | $45,570 |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College | $6,491 | $6,491 | $11,191 | $10,987 | $45,285 |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | $45,080 | $45,080 | $11,704 | $21,500 | $58,170 |
| Alexandria Technical & Community College | $6,236 | $6,236 | $13,691 | $12,000 | $49,393 |
| Central Lakes College-Brainerd | $6,249 | $6,249 | $13,869 | $11,000 | $42,162 |
| Northland Community and Technical College | $6,289 | $6,289 | $13,975 | $12,000 | $44,425 |
While short-term program-level earnings are not yet published for these schools, long-term federal data gives a clear debt-to-income picture. Among the top-ranked nursing programs near St Louis Park, median earnings 10 years after entry range widely, and graduate debt varies considerably.
NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates are a direct measure of how well a nursing program prepares graduates for licensure and, ultimately, safe practice. For St Louis Park students comparing BSN options, these figures deserve as much attention as graduation rates or tuition costs. A program with strong NCLEX performance signals readiness for immediate employment and advanced practice pathways.
The NCLEX-RN is the national licensing exam required for all registered nurses. A program’s first-time pass rate reflects the quality of its curriculum, clinical training, and student support. Consistently high rates indicate that graduates leave with the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to pass on their first attempt and begin working without delay. Programs with lower pass rates may lack sufficient preparation or remediation resources, which can stall a new graduate’s career and affect a school’s accreditation standing.
Herzing University’s Minneapolis campus, located in St Louis Park, reported a 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of 79.09%, with 87 of 110 candidates passing.1 The Minnesota Board of Nursing’s most recent report (2022, 2025) tracks outcomes for several BSN programs in the Twin Cities area, including the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, St. Catherine University, Bethel University, and Metropolitan State University.2 While pass rates vary by program and year, Minnesota’s statewide first-time pass rate has consistently exceeded the national average. Nationally, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) reported a 91.2% first-time pass rate for 20243; 2025 national data are not yet finalized.3
BSN programs near St Louis Park rely on a network of high-acuity hospitals for student clinical rotations. These sites provide hands-on patient care experience under faculty supervision:
All four clinical sites sit within about a 15-minute drive of central St Louis Park, a significant advantage for nursing students balancing demanding schedules. Short commutes reduce fatigue and free up time for studying, simulation lab practice, or self-care. This geographic clustering means BSN students can spend less time on the road and more time at the bedside building essential skills.
Selecting the right BSN program in St Louis Park means balancing accreditation, program length, cost, and your career goals. Here are answers to common questions prospective nursing students ask about programs in the Twin Cities area.
St Louis Park students have access to a strong network of nursing programs in the Twin Cities, from affordable ADN pathways at public colleges to accelerated BSN and direct-entry MSN offerings at private universities. When choosing, weigh NCLEX pass rates, net price, and program length together; a low-cost community college may save money, while a faster private track can boost earning potential sooner.
For a wider view of nursing education beyond the metro area, explore RN to BSN programs in Minnesota.
