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 spotlights accredited BSN and direct-entry MSN programs within a manageable commute of St Louis Park. Schools are ordered by a composite of net price after aid, institution-wide graduation rates, and program accessibility.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | $17,000/yr | Aspiring nurses at a top-tier research institution | |
The University of Minnesota’s BSN combines Big Ten scale with intimate learning communities, delivering a 93% NCLEX pass rate and 92% on-time graduation. Students train on the Minneapolis and Rochester campuses, with clinical rotations at leading Twin Cities hospitals. The effective net price for in-state students is about $16,800, and the institution’s overall graduation rate is 85%.
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| #2 | University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | $29,000/yr | Career changers seeking a direct-entry MSN | |
University of St Thomas offers a BSN and a direct-entry MSN, both centered on whole-person wellness and health equity. The BSN includes 56 nursing credits and diverse clinical placements; the MSN allows non-nursing bachelor’s holders to become RNs in 21 months. Institutional graduation rate is 76%, and the effective net price is roughly $29,200.
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| #3 | Rasmussen University-Minnesota | St. Cloud, MN | $18,000/yr | Working adults in a no-prerequisite hybrid BSN | |
Rasmussen University’s hybrid BSN is built for flexibility, with eight start dates per year, no prerequisites, and an accelerated 18-month track for second-degree students. The program is CCNE-accredited and reports an 82% licensure pass rate. The institution’s overall graduation rate is 53%, and the net price is about $18,000.
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| #4 | Bethel University | Saint Paul, MN | $29,000/yr (net price) | ||
Bethel University integrates a Christian worldview with rigorous clinical training through a traditional BSN and an accelerated 15-20 month post-baccalaureate BSN. Students rotate through over 30 Twin Cities agencies and receive career coaching from day one. The school’s overall graduation rate is 71%, and the effective net price is roughly $28,600.
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| #5 | College of Saint Benedict | Saint Joseph, MN | $27,000/yr (net price) | ||
The College of Saint Benedict offers a four-year BSN rooted in the liberal arts, with cultural immersion experiences and direct admission for qualified freshmen. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN and can fast-track into graduate study. The institutional graduation rate is 77%, and the net price is about $26,600.
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| #6 | Augsburg University | Minneapolis, MN | $24,000/yr (net price) | ||
Augsburg University provides an online RN-to-BSN completion program that can be finished in as little as 12 months, ideal for working registered nurses. The curriculum emphasizes transcultural nursing and health equity. The university’s overall graduation rate is 52%, with a net price of approximately $23,900.
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| #7 | University of Northwestern-St Paul | Saint Paul, MN | $28,000/yr | ||
University of Northwestern-St. Paul delivers a CCNE-accredited BSN in a flexible hybrid format, with a 94% first-time NCLEX pass rate and 80% employment within a year. Students complete 476 clinical hours at major health systems such as M Health Fairview and Mayo Clinic. The institutional graduation rate is 68%, and the net price is about $27,700.
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| #8 | St Catherine University | Saint Paul, MN | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | ||
St Catherine University’s hybrid BSN is designed for busy adults, offering accelerated (21-month) and part-time (31-month) tracks with synchronous evening online classes and weekly on-campus labs. The program has a holistic focus and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN. The school’s graduation rate is 61%, and the net price is roughly $19,800.
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| #9 | Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul, MN | $17,000/yr | ||
Metropolitan State University offers a prelicensure BSN and a direct-entry MSN, both centered on health equity and serving diverse populations. The prelicensure BSN includes extensive clinicals and public health nursing registration eligibility. The institution’s graduation rate is 44%, with a net price of about $16,900 for in-state students.
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| #10 | Minnesota State University-Mankato | Mankato, MN | $10,000 – $19,000/yr | ||
Minnesota State University-Mankato’s pre-licensure BSN provides hands-on clinical learning and access to the Maverick Family Nursing Simulation Center. The program is CCNE-accredited and emphasizes patient care and critical thinking. The overall graduation rate is 54%, and the net price is approximately $19,100.
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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.
