Compare costs, NCLEX outcomes, and program formats for East Metro nursing students
Lake Elmo sits just 15 miles east of downtown St. Paul, placing aspiring nurses within easy reach of major Twin Cities employers like M Health Fairview, Allina Health, and Regions Hospital. The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro employs over 35,000 registered nurses, with a mean annual wage of $89,580 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Yet limited program slots and competitive clinical placements in the east metro mean prospective BSN students must weigh quality, cost, and licensure outcomes carefully. For many, the calculus involves commuting to campus-based cohorts or choosing hybrid and online formats that preserve access to metro-area preceptorships.
This ranking highlights the best nursing schools within a reasonable commute of Lake Elmo, MN, focusing on BSN programs that balance quality, affordability, and student outcomes. We prioritized institutions with strong NCLEX pass rates, clinical placements in the East Metro, and flexible formats for working students.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | $29,000/yr | East Metro commuters seeking BSN | |
Located in Saint Paul, the University of St. Thomas offers a CCNE-accredited BSN and an entry-level MSN for career changers. Its direct admission pathway accepts high performers, and clinical partnerships in Twin Cities hospitals give Lake Elmo students strong local networking opportunities. The BSN emphasizes whole-person wellness and health equity, with a curriculum approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
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| #2 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | $17,000/yr | Future nurses aiming for top research | |
As Minnesota's flagship public research university, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities BSN combines rigorous academics with Big 10 resources. Campuses in Minneapolis and Rochester provide access to Mayo Clinic-affiliated clinical environments. The program boasts a 92% graduation rate and strong first-time NCLEX pass rates, making it a top choice for aspiring RNs.
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| #3 | Bethel University | Saint Paul, MN | $29,000/yr (net price) | Faith-based BSN for career changers | |
Bethel University, with its main campus in Arden Hills, integrates Christian faith into nursing education. It offers a traditional campus-based BSN and a hybrid accelerated Post-Baccalaureate program for career changers. Strong Twin Cities clinical connections and high alumni employment rates make it a solid option for Lake Elmo residents seeking a faith-based environment.
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| #4 | Rasmussen University-Minnesota | St. Cloud, MN | $18,000/yr | ||
Rasmussen University offers a CCNE-accredited BSN with a flexible hybrid format, combining online coursework with in-person clinicals. Multiple campuses, including Bloomington, make it accessible for East Metro residents. The program provides Standard and Accelerated tracks, no prerequisite courses, and multiple start dates, suiting working adults and LPN-to-RN learners.
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| #5 | The College of Saint Scholastica | Duluth, MN | $28,000/yr (net price) | ||
The College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth is consistently ranked among Minnesota's top BSN providers. Its traditional campus-based program emphasizes patient-centered care, blending technology, simulation labs, and evidence-based practice. Benedictine values underpin a curriculum that prepares graduates for diverse nursing roles, though the location is a distance from Lake Elmo.
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| #6 | College of Saint Benedict | Saint Joseph, MN | $27,000/yr (net price) | ||
The College of Saint Benedict, a women's college in Saint Joseph, partners with Saint John's University to deliver a joint BSN. The program focuses on leadership, diversity, and evidence-based practice, with direct admission and a 4+1 graduate option. Clinical and cultural immersion experiences, including international opportunities, are key features.
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| #7 | Saint Johns University | Collegeville, MN | $26,000/yr | ||
Saint John's University, a men's college in Collegeville, shares the same rigorous BSN curriculum as the College of Saint Benedict. Students benefit from state-of-the-art labs, clinical placements, and a Catholic, Benedictine educational environment. The program offers direct admission and a 4+1 pathway for early graduate study.
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| #8 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | Winona, MN | $12,000/yr (net price) | ||
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona offers a four-year BSN that starts nursing courses in the first semester. The program includes over 500 clinical hours, CCNE accreditation, and a holistic, compassionate care focus. Rolling admissions and financial aid are available, though the campus is farther from Lake Elmo.
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| #9 | Alexandria Technical & Community College | Alexandria, MN | $14,000/yr (net price) | ||
Alexandria Technical & Community College offers an ADN program designed for licensed LPNs seeking RN licensure. With high NCLEX pass rates and clear transfer pathways to BSN programs within Minnesota State, it is a cost-effective ladder option. The Alexandria campus is a significant drive from Lake Elmo, making it less convenient for daily commuting.
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| #10 | Riverland Community College | Austin, MN | $7,000/yr (net price) | ||
Riverland Community College in Austin provides an affordable, ACEN-accredited ADN in a 24-month format. As part of the Minnesota State system, graduates have seamless transfer options to BSN programs. The hands-on clinical experience prepares students for the NCLEX-RN, though the distance from Lake Elmo may be a consideration for some.
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We built this ranking to cut through noise and focus on what actually shapes your return on investment. Four data points carry equal weight in our scoring: net price, graduation rate, program format, and median earnings.
Net price, the amount students pay after grants and scholarships drawn from federal IPEDS data, tells you how much you’ll really owe. Graduation rate is institution-wide, not broken out by nursing program, so view it as a reflection of overall student support. Program format captures whether a school offers online, hybrid, or traditional on-campus BSN tracks, which matters if you’re working or commuting from Lake Elmo. Median earnings one year after graduation signal early-career earning power; when a program lacks this data, we state that clearly.
We assign equal weight to each factor to avoid overcomplicating; no single metric dominates, so a lower net price can balance a modest graduation rate, for example. NCLEX pass rates are not part of this formula because they come from the Minnesota Board of Nursing’s separate reports and measure exam mastery rather than cost-effectiveness. The Board lists all approved schools without ranking them; our list is deliberately ordered to help you compare affordability and outcomes side by side, highlighting the best nursing schools in Minnesota.
To help you compare the financial commitment of nursing programs in the region, the table below shows in-state tuition, estimated net price after aid, and median earnings a decade after enrollment for schools near Lake Elmo. Costs vary significantly between public community colleges and private universities, so consider both sticker price and likely net cost when planning your education.
| School | Degree | In-State Tuition | Net Price | Median Earnings (10yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverland Community College | Associate | $6,297 | $7,427 | $45,247 |
| South Central College | Associate | $6,146 | $9,082 | $45,068 |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College | Associate | $6,124 | $9,635 | $46,874 |
| Ridgewater College | Associate | $6,121 | $10,046 | $43,827 |
| Minnesota North College | Associate | $6,022 | $10,432 | $45,570 |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College | Associate | $6,491 | $11,191 | $45,285 |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | Bachelor's | $45,080 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| Alexandria Technical & Community College | Associate | $6,236 | $13,691 | $49,393 |
| Central Lakes College-Brainerd | Associate | $6,249 | $13,869 | $42,162 |
| Northland Community and Technical College | Associate | $6,289 | $13,975 | $44,425 |
NCLEX-RN pass rates serve as a critical benchmark for nursing programs. The Minnesota Board of Nursing tracks first-time pass rates for all prelicensure programs in the state, and these numbers are publicly reported.1 When researching schools, look for consistent performance over several years rather than a single data point, as cohort sizes can be small and results may fluctuate.
Here are three BSN programs within reach of the East Metro and their 2025 NCLEX outcomes. All figures represent first-time candidates educated in Minnesota.
For context, the national average first-time pass rate for BSN graduates in 2025 was approximately 88%, according to NCSBN data. Bethel and St. Ben's exceeded this threshold, while Herzing's rate came in below. Keep in mind that pass rates are just one piece of the puzzle: clinical placement quality, instructor support, and total cost also shape your education.
While program-level earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education are not yet available for many nursing programs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a clear picture of RN earning potential in the Twin Cities area. Here's what BSN graduates can expect in the local job market.
Earning your RN license in Minnesota follows a clear sequence of education, examination, and background clearance. Here are the key steps you'll need to complete to begin your nursing career in Lake Elmo.
Navigating the path to becoming a registered nurse in Lake Elmo starts with choosing the right program. Below you'll find answers to common questions about local BSN options, from costs and online availability to admissions requirements and exam performance.
Looking for nursing programs beyond our top 10? The schools below span Associate and Bachelor's pathways across Minnesota, from the Twin Cities to northern campuses. Check each program's format and location to find one that fits your goals.
