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 nursing students a unique blend of suburban campus life and dense metro-level clinical opportunities. From flagship public universities to private faith-based colleges, the schools below represent the top BSN and ADN programs within easy commuting distance. Each excels in preparing graduates for a rewarding career in nursing.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | $17,000/yr | Big 10 education with metro clinical access | |
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities delivers a prestigious BSN through a curriculum that pairs rigorous academics with extensive clinical experiences at M Health Fairview and other metro partners. Students benefit from a 93% NCLEX first-time pass rate and a 92% on-time graduation rate within a supportive, small-community feel inside a major research university. As the state's flagship public institution, it offers strong value and access to specialized healthcare settings for Bloomington commuters.
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| #2 | University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | $29,000/yr | Direct-entry MSN for career changers | |
University of St. Thomas pairs a traditional BSN with a Direct Entry MSN for those holding a bachelor's in another field, both infused with a commitment to whole-person wellness and health equity. Small classes, a dedicated clinical placement specialist, and partnerships across the Twin Cities ensure rich, hands-on learning. The private Catholic university's emphasis on ethical practice resonates with students seeking meaning-driven careers.
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| #3 | Bethel University | Saint Paul, MN | $29,000/yr (net price) | Christian students seeking an accelerated hybrid BSN | |
Bethel University offers both a traditional four-year BSN and a post-baccalaureate accelerated track in a hybrid format for career changers, all within a Christ-centered learning community. With clinical rotations at over 30 Twin Cities agencies and a 99% job placement rate for the accelerated track, graduates are well-prepared. The program's integration of faith and nursing equips students to serve diversely and ethically.
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| #4 | Augsburg University | Minneapolis, MN | $24,000/yr (net price) | ||
Augsburg University's online RN-to-BSN completion program is designed for working registered nurses seeking to advance their education with a focus on transcultural nursing. The asynchronous, 32-credit curriculum can be finished in 12 months and includes opportunities for international practicum experiences. With flexible start dates and a commitment to health equity, it's an efficient path for Bloomington-area RNs.
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| #5 | University of Northwestern-St Paul | Saint Paul, MN | $28,000/yr | ||
University of Northwestern-St. Paul blends servant leadership and faith into its BSN curriculum, supported by clinical rotations at major systems like M Health Fairview and Mayo Clinic. Students complete 476 clinical hours and benefit from a 94% NCLEX first-time pass rate and 80% employment within one year. The hybrid connected learning format offers flexibility while maintaining a close-knit, Christ-centered community.
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| #6 | St Catherine University | Saint Paul, MN | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | ||
St. Catherine University's College for Adults BSN provides an accelerated 21-month option and a part-time 28-month track, both with synchronous evening classes and weekly on-campus labs. The program's holistic, multicultural approach prepares students for public health nursing certification and roles in diverse settings. With over 100 years of nursing education and a dedicated scholarship for underserved area commitment, it's a strong choice for adult learners.
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| #7 | Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul, MN | $17,000/yr | ||
Metropolitan State University provides an affordable Prelicensure BSN with a commitment to health equity and serving diverse populations. The campus-based program requires nine prerequisites and a minimum 2.75 GPA, and graduates are eligible for both NCLEX-RN and Public Health Nurse registration. It also offers an Entry Level MSN for those with a non-nursing bachelor's, both with competitive net prices.
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| #8 | Concordia University-Saint Paul | Saint Paul, MN | $18,000/yr | ||
Concordia University, St. Paul's traditional BSN pre-licensure program emphasizes evidence-based care and Christian ethics, with over 700 clinical hours and 270 lab hours. Graduates consistently achieve high placement rates (97.5%) and an 86.92% NCLEX first-time pass rate. The campus-based program offers fall and spring starts, making it a reliable option for Bloomington-area students seeking a four-year degree.
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| #9 | Century College | White Bear Lake, MN | $11,000/yr | ||
Century College's Associate of Science in Nursing provides a budget-friendly pathway to RN licensure with a 90% NCLEX pass rate and dual acceptance agreements for a seamless BSN transfer. The full-time, 64-credit program features small cohorts and an LPN/Paramedic advanced standing track. Its low net price and partnerships with four-year universities make it an appealing entry point for Bloomington residents.
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| #10 | Crown College | Saint Bonifacius, MN | ~$27,000/yr (est.) | ||
Crown College in Saint Bonifacius offers a BSN program with a 100% NCLEX pass rate, small cohorts of 15-24 students, and clinical rotations in urban, suburban, and rural settings. The program integrates a biblical worldview into nursing science and offers direct admission from high school. Its personalized mentorship and financial aid options appeal to faith-oriented students in the southwest metro.
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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.
