Compare accredited programs, costs, outcomes, and clinical options near Brooklyn Park
North Memorial Health and Hennepin Healthcare are expanding clinical footprints within a short drive of Brooklyn Park, a shift that has increased demand for BSN-prepared nurses across the northwest Twin Cities metro. The pipeline from classroom to bedside here includes BSN, ADN, and RN-to-BSN options, and a 75-mile radius captures both city-based and suburban nursing schools in MN feeding the same hospital systems. Comparing NCLEX pass rates, net costs, and clinical site quality reveals genuine trade-offs: some programs deliver high first-attempt pass rates at a lower net price, while others offer specialized clinical rotations that influence early-career opportunities. With over a dozen accredited programs, including nursing schools in Bloomington, MN, in the radius, choosing wisely means looking beyond brand names to the outcomes that shape a first nursing job.
The following programs represent accredited nursing options within commuting distance of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Each institution is evaluated on a combination of quality, affordability, and student outcomes. A full explanation of the methodology can be found in the next section.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Rasmussen University-Minnesota | St. Cloud, MN | $18,000/yr | Northwest metro adults balancing work and study | |
Rasmussen University operates a campus right in Brooklyn Park, offering a CCNE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing through a flexible hybrid format. The program accommodates working adults with eight start dates per year, no prerequisite courses, and both a standard 33-month track and an accelerated 18-month second-degree track. Hands-on simulation centers and local clinical placements complement online coursework, and graduates are eligible for NCLEX-RN licensure.
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| #2 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | $17,000/yr | In-state students seeking research and clinical immersion | |
The University of Minnesota–Twin Cities provides a top-tier Bachelor of Science in Nursing that combines the resources of a Big Ten university with a close-knit learning community. Students benefit from a 93% first-time NCLEX pass rate, 92% on-time graduation, and clinical rotations across the Twin Cities, including sites in the northwest suburbs accessible to Brooklyn Park commuters. The innovative curriculum includes unique clinical experiences at Tribal Colleges and Universities.
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| #3 | University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | $29,000/yr | Learners desiring whole-person, values-based nursing education | |
The University of St. Thomas offers a CCNE-accredited BSN that emphasizes whole-person wellness and health equity within a supportive liberal arts environment. Direct admission for qualified high school seniors, dedicated clinical placement support, and over 130 credit hours of coursework prepare students for the NCLEX-RN. The program also provides a seamless pathway to an MSN for those seeking advanced roles.
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| #4 | Bethel University | Saint Paul, MN | $29,000/yr (net price) | ||
Bethel University's BSN program integrates rigorous nursing science with a Christ-centered worldview, preparing compassionate professionals for diverse healthcare settings. With a 91% NCLEX pass rate and 96% employment rate, students gain clinical experience at over 30 Twin Cities partner sites and have access to annual nursing scholarships exceeding $75,000. Two tracks are available: a traditional four-year path and an accelerated post-baccalaureate option.
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| #5 | University of Northwestern-St Paul | Saint Paul, MN | $28,000/yr | ||
University of Northwestern–St. Paul delivers a CCNE-accredited BSN that combines medical expertise with spiritual formation and servant leadership. Students complete 476 clinical hours and achieve a 94% first-time NCLEX pass rate, with an 80% employment rate within one year. Flexible connected learning includes synchronous and asynchronous options, and partnerships with major Twin Cities health systems ensure quality clinical experiences.
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| #6 | St Catherine University | Saint Paul, MN | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | ||
St. Catherine University's College for Adults offers a hybrid BSN designed for career changers, with a 21-month accelerated or 31-month part-time track. The program integrates a holistic, multicultural perspective, synchronous evening classes, and weekly on-campus labs, leading to eligibility for both RN and holistic nursing certifications. Over 100 years of nursing education leadership and a Bridge to Care scholarship for underserved areas distinguish this program.
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| #7 | Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul, MN | $17,000/yr | ||
Metropolitan State University's prelicensure BSN is a four-year campus-based program focused on health equity and interprofessional collaboration. Students complete extensive clinicals and capstone projects, and are eligible for both RN licensure and Public Health Nurse registration after passing the NCLEX. Admission requires nine prerequisites and a minimum 2.75 GPA.
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| #8 | Augsburg University | Minneapolis, MN | $24,000/yr (net price) | ||
Augsburg University's online BSN Completion Program enables registered nurses to earn their bachelor's in as few as 12 months while focusing on transcultural nursing and health equity. The asynchronous, CCNE-accredited curriculum includes opportunities for practicum hours abroad and a pathway to an accelerated Master of Arts in Nursing.
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| #9 | St Cloud Technical and Community College | Saint Cloud, MN | ~$10,000/yr (est.) | ||
St. Cloud Technical and Community College provides an NLN CNEA-accredited Associate Degree in Nursing with a 100% job placement rate and 97% NCLEX pass rate. The program offers a traditional ADN and an LPN-to-ADN mobility track, with seamless transfer agreements to BSN programs at Minnesota State University Moorhead and St. Cloud State University.
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| #10 | Concordia University-Saint Paul | Saint Paul, MN | $18,000/yr | ||
Concordia University, St. Paul's campus-based BSN emphasizes over 700 clinical hours and 270 lab hours, producing graduates with a 97.5% placement rate. The CCNE-accredited program combines liberal arts, Christian values, and evidence-based practice, with fall and spring start dates and strong ties to major employers like Mayo Clinic.
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What metrics actually matter when comparing nursing schools near Brooklyn Park? We built our ranking around the factors that predict a successful nursing career.
To make the list, a school must hold programmatic accreditation (CCNE or ACEN) and report licensure exam results. We then weigh three outcomes:
We search within a 75‑mile radius of Brooklyn Park, which covers the Twin Cities metro and beyond. Both campus‑based and online/hybrid programs are eligible, provided they meet our accreditation threshold.
Every entry is editorially reviewed to ensure data is current and fairly presented. No single metric dominates: our goal is a balanced snapshot that helps you weigh quality, cost, and real-world preparation side by side.
The table below compares tuition, net price after financial aid, and median graduate debt for nursing programs near Brooklyn Park, using the latest available data. Net price represents the institution-wide average cost after grants and scholarships; individual aid packages can vary significantly. Among the most affordable options, Riverland Community College offers the lowest net price at $7,427, while costs range up to $13,975 at Northland Community and Technical College.
| Nursing Program | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price After Aid | Median Graduate Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverland Community College | $6,297 | $6,297 | $7,427 | $12,000 |
| South Central College | $6,146 | $6,146 | $9,082 | $12,000 |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College | $6,124 | $6,124 | $9,635 | $12,000 |
| Ridgewater College | $6,121 | $6,121 | $10,046 | $12,000 |
| Minnesota North College | $6,022 | $6,022 | $10,432 | $12,000 |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College | $6,491 | $6,491 | $11,191 | $10,987 |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | $45,080 | $45,080 | $11,704 | $21,500 |
| Alexandria Technical & Community College | $6,236 | $6,236 | $13,691 | $12,000 |
| Central Lakes College-Brainerd | $6,249 | $6,249 | $13,869 | $11,000 |
| Northland Community and Technical College | $6,289 | $6,289 | $13,975 | $12,000 |
When choosing a nursing program, pass rates and post-graduation earnings are two of the most concrete ways to size up a school’s return on investment. In Brooklyn Park, the latest NCLEX data shows how local programs stack up against state and national benchmarks, and what that means for your career bottom line.
These figures come directly from the Minnesota Board of Nursing’s latest annual report and reflect first-time NCLEX-RN performance.
While direct state-level BSN benchmarks are not reported separately, these numbers give you a clear sense of how Brooklyn Park-area programs perform within the wider landscape.
Federal College Scorecard data does not yet report program-level median earnings for the specific nursing degrees offered in Brooklyn Park. However, broader workforce trends in the Twin Cities metro show that registered nurses command competitive salaries. BSN-prepared nurses in Minnesota routinely out-earn their ADN counterparts, and the region’s robust healthcare systems translate into strong starting wages and rapid salary growth. Checking institutional career placement statistics or contacting the schools directly can provide the most current earnings snapshots.
Where do nursing students in Brooklyn Park complete their clinical rotations? The area’s density of major health systems gives BSN and ADN learners access to a range of inpatient, outpatient, and specialty settings, often within a 30-minute drive.
North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale serves as a key community and trauma site, and its Brooklyn Park clinic on Edinbrook Parkway offers outpatient rotation opportunities. Hennepin Healthcare, a Level I trauma center and county safety-net hospital in downtown Minneapolis, is a teaching institution that actively supports student education. The M Health Fairview network, anchored by the University of Minnesota Medical Center, provides academic hospital exposure, while Children’s Minnesota partners with Allina Health, Hennepin Healthcare, and the U of M for pediatric rotations. Mercy Hospital (part of Allina Health) in nearby Coon Rapids is another frequent clinical site for nursing programs in the northwest metro.
For behavioral health, PrairieCare Brooklyn Park Inpatient Hospital on Zane Avenue focuses on psychiatric care for patients up to age 35, giving students exposure to mental health nursing.
Hands-on hours shape clinical judgment, and the variety of available sites lets you experience medical-surgical units, intensive care, emergency departments, pediatrics, community clinics, and psychiatry. A broad rotation list helps you discover nursing specialties that fit your strengths. Equally important, hospitals often recruit new graduates from their clinical cohorts, a strong placement site can become your first employer.
Specific assignments vary by semester and by school. Some programs guarantee placements within a set geographic radius; others require students to commute or arrange their own preceptors for certain specialties. When you speak with admissions, ask directly: “Are clinical placements guaranteed, or do students compete for spots?” and “Which facilities are most commonly used for adult health, pediatrics, and capstone rotations?” The answers reveal how smoothly you can balance school, travel, and any outside commitments.
Choosing the right nursing program involves many questions about cost, accreditation, and career outcomes. Below we answer the most common queries from prospective nursing students in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Use these insights to guide your search on topnursing.org.
