Compare tuition, NCLEX outcomes, and LPN-to-RN pathways at schools within reach of Mankato.
In Minnesota, licensed practical nurses earn a median annual wage of $52,120, and Mankato’s expanding healthcare sector, driven by an aging population and new outpatient facilities, keeps demand for LPNs strong. Earning a practical nursing certificate in about 12 months offers a fast entry into this stable field.
But the choice among area programs isn’t just about location; tuition, clinical placement availability, and NCLEX-PN pass rates vary considerably across the seven schools within commuting distance.
South Central College in North Mankato is the most local option, yet programs in St. Cloud, Alexandria, and Pine City often draw applicants with lower net prices or top-tier exam outcomes.
The following ranking evaluates practical nursing programs near Mankato, Minnesota, based on factors like accreditation, program flexibility, and graduate success. Each school is presented with key details including net price, graduation rate, and delivery format to help you find the right fit.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Riverland Community College | Austin, MN | $7,000/yr (net price) | Southern MN students needing evening flexibility | |
Riverland Community College, with campuses in Austin, Albert Lea, and Owatonna, offers a southern Minnesota-based Practical Nursing program that is especially accessible for Mankato-area students. The hybrid diploma program blends online coursework with in-person labs and clinicals at multiple regional healthcare sites, and it boasts full ACEN accreditation, a high NCLEX-PN pass rate, and pathways into advanced nursing degrees. With both full-time and part-time evening tracks, Riverland is designed to accommodate working adults while maintaining a strong employment outlook in the region.
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| #2 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College | Granite Falls, MN | $11,000/yr | Southwest MN students wanting BSN pathway | |
Minnesota West Community and Technical College serves southwestern Minnesota with a hybrid Practical Nursing diploma that combines online theory with hands-on labs and clinicals in the region. The ACEN-accredited program offers a three-semester pathway, above-average state NCLEX-PN pass rates, and seamless laddering into an Associate Nursing Degree or a BSN through a partnership with Southwest Minnesota State University. For Mankato-area students, its location and flexible delivery make it a practical, high-quality option within a manageable drive.
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| #3 | Rasmussen University-Minnesota | St. Cloud, MN | $18,000/yr | Mankato students wanting accelerated hybrid format | |
Rasmussen University operates multiple Practical Nursing campuses in Minnesota, including an approved site in Mankato, offering a fast-track hybrid diploma. The program can be completed in as few as 15 months and requires no prerequisite coursework, with eight start dates yearly to accommodate busy schedules. Students benefit from the LPN Care Grant, a reported 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate at the St. Cloud campus, and a seamless career ladder into Rasmussen's professional nursing programs.
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| #4 | Alexandria Technical & Community College | Alexandria, MN | $14,000/yr (net price) | ||
Alexandria Technical & Community College, located in central Minnesota, offers a campus-based Practical Nursing diploma that prepares students for LPN licensure with strong outcomes. The program boasts a 92% NCLEX-PN pass rate and a 100% job placement rate, and it includes hands-on clinical training in regional healthcare facilities. Admission requires CNA certification and a TEAS exam score of 50 or above, and the curriculum can be completed in two or three semesters with fall and spring starts.
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| #5 | Northwest Technical College | Bemidji, MN | $11,000/yr | ||
Northwest Technical College in Bemidji provides a hybrid Practical Nursing diploma that integrates online lectures with in-person labs and simulations. The ACEN-accredited program prepares students for NCLEX-PN licensure and offers clear pathways for advancement, including an LPN Step-In track to become a registered nurse. While located in northern Minnesota, its in-state tuition and transfer options to Bemidji State University make it a solid choice for Minnesota residents willing to relocate.
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| #6 | Pine Technical & Community College | Pine City, MN | $13,000/yr (net price) | ||
Pine Technical & Community College in Pine City offers a Practical Nursing diploma with a strong track record, including a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate and job placement. The campus-based program admits limited cohorts of full-time and part-time students, emphasizing critical thinking and hands-on clinical training. Ranked fourth in Minnesota by practicalnursing.org, it also provides a pathway to an AD Mobility RN program, though its east-central location is less convenient for Mankato residents.
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| #7 | Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College | Cloquet, MN | $13,000/yr (net price) | ||
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet provides a campus-based Practical Nursing diploma with a distinctive focus on Ojibwe values and cultural responsiveness. The program prepares students for LPN licensure through hands-on training and foundational nursing knowledge, with financial aid available to increase access. For Mankato-area students, its northern Minnesota location means relocation, but it offers a unique educational environment, especially for Native students seeking a culturally grounded program.
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The net price shown is the total cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships, based on institutional averages from IPEDS data; it is not specific to the LPN program. Keep in mind that your individual costs may vary. Median graduate debt for these schools ranges from $10,987 to $20,899, providing a rough gauge of typical borrowing.
Gaining admission to an LPN program near Mankato means fulfilling a set of academic, testing, and documentation requirements designed to confirm readiness for clinical training, as outlined in general LPN education requirements. Each school sets its own policies, but South Central College in North Mankato illustrates the typical expectations for the region.
Applicants to the Practical Nursing (LPN) Diploma at South Central College must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, with no prerequisite course graded below a C. Required courses include BIOL 220 (or a full sequence of Anatomy & Physiology I and II), ENGL 100 (English Composition), HLTH 1952 (First Aid), and HC 1000 (Medical Terminology).2 Chemistry is not required for this program. The college also requires applicants to attend a nursing information session.1
Instead of the TEAS, South Central uses the Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT), a critical thinking exam. A minimum score of 70 is required.1 Other programs in Minnesota may use the TEAS or similar entrance exams, so prospective students should verify the specific test for each school. Beyond academics, all LPN applicants are subject to a criminal background check and must show proof of professional-level CPR certification. Active status on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry is also mandatory.1
Clinical site placements require students to meet strict health standards. Typical immunizations include: - TB test - Hepatitis B - Tdap - Varicella - Influenza - COVID-19
South Central also mandates health insurance coverage. These requirements are common across most Minnesota practical nursing programs.1
While the structure of prerequisites and health documentation is similar among community and technical colleges in the state, application deadlines vary. South Central offers both fall and spring entry, but many schools admit only once a year. Gathering transcripts, scheduling exams, and completing immunizations can take months. To avoid missing out, start your application packet well before the posted deadline, and confirm all details directly with the program coordinator.
Balancing quick completion with a schedule that fits your life is a common tension for many aspiring LPNs. Most practical nursing programs in Minnesota are intense, full-time commitments, and part-time or evening options can be hard to find. Understanding the time investment and clinical demands upfront will help you plan realistically.
Minnesota LPN certificate programs typically run two to three semesters, or about 9 to 12 months of full-time study. At South Central College, the Practical Nursing diploma is a structured, two-semester pathway. The 40-credit curriculum1 is delivered on-campus in North Mankato (and also at the Faribault campus), with cohorts starting each fall and spring.2 Each cohort is kept small (just 24 seats) to support hands-on learning and close faculty interaction.2
A key reality: SCC does not currently offer part-time, evening, or weekend tracks for its LPN program. The full-time, daytime schedule is standard, and attendance on campus is required. If you need a different format, you may need to look beyond the immediate Mankato area, though flexible options remain scarce in the region.
The Minnesota Board of Nursing requires LPN programs to include a minimum of 500 clock hours of direct patient care clinical experience. This is a substantial component, and you will spend significant time in real healthcare settings applying what you learn.
Clinical rotations for students in the Mankato area often take place at major regional facilities like Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato, as well as nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and other long-term care sites. While specific placements vary each term, the proximity of these large employers means you will likely train in the same facilities where many graduates eventually work. This early exposure not only builds your skills but also helps you form professional connections that can smooth the transition into your first job.
How do LPN programs near Mankato perform on the NCLEX-PN, and where can you find official pass rates?
NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates are a key indicator of program quality, they reflect how well a school prepares students for the licensing exam. When comparing programs, looking beyond glossy marketing and directly at verified pass-rate data is essential.
Minnesota Board of Nursing annual reports are the most authoritative source. The board publishes aggregate data by program, often including first-time pass rates for the most recent year. Start your search on the board’s website under licensure or education resources.
Individual program websites are another helpful stop. Many schools publish pass rates under sections like “Student Achievement” or “Accreditation.” For instance, South Central College, a major practical nursing provider near Mankato, publicly shares its NCLEX performance. The college’s most recent NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate was 86.27% (2024), and its PN program likely reports similar transparency, though specific LPN figures should be confirmed on the school’s site or through the state board.
For broader context, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) provides state-level NCLEX-PN pass rates, filterable by exam type and candidate type. While NCSBN doesn’t break data down to the individual program, it offers a reliable statewide snapshot of how Minnesota LPN candidates perform compared to national averages.
A consistently high first-time pass rate (generally above 85%) suggests strong curriculum alignment with exam content. Look for multi-year trends: a one-year dip may be an anomaly, but a persistent decline warrants caution. Also note whether a program reports pass rates for all students or only first-time test-takers, as this can skew comparisons.
Beyond licensure, employment outcomes matter. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady demand for LPNs in Minnesota, with hiring particularly active in regional healthcare hubs like Mankato. While job placement rates for individual programs are less commonly published, you can ask admissions counselors about recent graduate survey data or partnerships with local employers. South Central College, for example, maintains clinical relationships with facilities across southern Minnesota, which often streamline the transition from classroom to workplace.
An LPN-to-RN bridge takes the education and clinical experience you already have as a licensed practical nurse and applies it toward an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing, shortening the path to registered nurse licensure. In the Mankato area, several structured pathways make that transition smoother, often with advanced standing so you do not repeat foundational coursework you have already mastered.
South Central College’s Professional Nursing program includes an LPN-to-RN transition plan that grants advanced standing to licensed practical nurses. Students who complete the track earn an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and become eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. The program builds on your LPN license rather than starting from scratch, accelerating the timeline to RN licensure.
The college also maintains an articulation agreement with Metropolitan State University, creating a streamlined pathway for ASN graduates to continue toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This RN-to-BSN phase is designed for working nurses and can often be completed online or through a hybrid format, giving you flexibility while you gain clinical leadership skills.
Other regional community colleges, including those within the Minnesota State system, offer LPN-to-ADN bridge programs that accept transfer credits from South Central College or other accredited practical nursing programs. The format varies, some are fully on campus, while others blend online theory coursework with in-person clinical rotations at Mankato-area hospitals and long-term care facilities. Checking each school’s latest delivery model is important, as hybrid and online options have become more common in recent years.
Wage data for the Mankato-North Mankato metropolitan statistical area is not always published as a stand-alone figure, but broader trends provide a reliable picture. According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates, licensed practical nurses in Minnesota earn a median annual wage that sits comfortably above the national median, commonly in the upper $50,000s to low $60,000s, depending on the setting and experience. Nationally, the median for LPNs hovers around $55,000. While the Mankato market may trend slightly lower than the Twin Cities metro, it still offers competitive pay that reflects the area’s stable healthcare infrastructure.
For those who bridge to registered nursing, the earnings jump is substantial. Registered nurses in Minnesota typically earn median wages 50 to 70 percent higher than their LPN counterparts, and the BSN degree often unlocks supervisory roles and specialty pay differentials not available to practical nurses.
Major healthcare employers in the greater Mankato area include the Mayo Clinic Health System, which operates a regional hospital and numerous clinics, along with Ecumen, a prominent provider of senior housing and skilled nursing. Local nursing homes, assisted-living centers, home health agencies, and physician clinics round out the employment landscape, creating consistent demand for both LPNs and RNs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects national employment of licensed practical nurses to grow about 5 percent over the next decade, roughly in line with the average for all occupations. That steady projection, combined with Minnesota’s aging population and ongoing retirements among the nursing workforce, suggests durable job openings across the Mankato region. Completing an LPN-to-RN bridge not only raises your salary ceiling but also expands your career longevity, giving you the credentials to move into acute care, public health, or nursing education as your goals evolve.
Here are answers to common questions about practical nursing programs near Mankato, Minnesota. Find details on costs, admissions, timelines, and career pathways.
