St Olaf College
- Northfield, MN
- 4 year
- Campus
- Accredited
St. Olaf, boasting one of top nursing schools in Minnesota, offers a BSN program with different concentration options. Students choose from promoting health and wellness, preventing illness, restoring health, and care of the dying.
Applicants can gain admittance as first-years, but most learners start as sophomores. Enrollees study holistic health, pharmacology, family health, gerontological nursing, and behavioral health.
Clinical experiences take place locally. Sites include the Children's Hospital of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
- Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Northfield, Minnesota
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $52,670 per year
- Admission Requirements: A minimum 2.85 cumulative GPA and prerequisite courses with a minimum 2.70 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
N/A
N/A
91%
N/A
- Acceptance Rate
- 48%
- Students Enrolled
- 3,072
- Institution Type
- Private
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Minneapolis, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
U of M Twin Cities operates one of most prominent nursing schools in Minnesota, started in 1909. The school now features multiple nursing programs and two clinics to train future nurses.
Nursing students learn in lecture halls, the simulated 11,000-square-foot Bentson Center, and the Health Science Education Center. Degree-seekers choose from a BSN, MSN, Ph.D. in nursing, or DNP.
U of M offers grants, waivers, fellowships, work-study programs, and scholarships for nursing students. The university distributed about $2.1 million for the 2021-2022 year.
- Programs: Bachelor of science in nursing, master of science in nursing, Ph.D. in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, healthcare design and innovation post-baccalaureate certificate, leadership in health information technology for health professionals certificate, and post-graduate certificates
- Campus: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $520 per credit for undergraduates; $1,018 per credit for graduate students
- Admission Requirements: Varies
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97.5% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $65,723 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
30%
$17,580
93%
$27,204
- Acceptance Rate
- 57%
- Students Enrolled
- 51,327
- Institution Type
- Public
Dakota County Technical College
- Rosemount, MN
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
DCTC's practical nursing program trains future LPNs through classroom lectures, stimulated labs, and hands-on experiences. Students complete their clinicals at local facilities near the Rosemount, Minnesota, campus.
Degree-seekers take 43 credits over two years in preparation for the NCLEX-PN exam. Courses teach anatomy and physiology, health career mathematics, lifespan development, and maternal and child health. Besides classes, learners complete two clinicals and a nursing capstone.
DCTC also offers a nursing assistant certificate.
- Programs: Nursing assistant certificate and practical nursing diploma
- Campus: Rosemount, Minnesota
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation
- Tuition: $201 for nursing assistant students; $222 for practical nursing students
- Admission Requirements: TEAS scores, a criminal background check, a minimum 2.5 GPA, and prerequisite courses
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 94.5% first-time pass rate
35%
N/A
72%
N/A
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 2,433
- Institution Type
- Public
Alexandria Technical & Community College
- Alexandria, MN
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
ATCC equips students to become RNs in two semesters through its ADN program.
Students complete 64 credits in two phases. The first phase covers nursing fundamentals: human anatomy and physiology, lifespan psychology, and the principles of nutrition. After acceptance into the core nursing program, learners complete two clinicals and courses in advanced nursing concepts and family nursing.
ATCC, which offers in-state tuition to online students, also features a 36-credit practical nursing diploma.
- Programs: Associate degree in nursing and practical nursing diploma
- Campus: Alexandria, Minnesota
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation
- Tuition: $176 per credit for on-site tuition; $205 for online tuition
- Admission Requirements: Current LPN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $54,536 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard
45%
N/A
72%
N/A
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 2,591
- Institution Type
- Public
Ridgewater College
- Willmar, MN
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Ridgewater's ADN-to-BSN nursing programs advance the careers of LPNs and students with no nursing experience through a dual-enrollment program at Metropolitan State University.
Degree-seekers complete 30-35 nursing and 40 general education credits to earn their associate at one of the top-rated nursing schools in Minnesota. Students continuing to a BSN take another 30 nursing and 15 general education credits.
Classes cover chronic and palliative care and acute and complete care. Enrollees learn professionalism, leadership skills, and clinical reasoning through the coursework. Current LPNs receive five advanced standing credits. Ridgewater also offers a 40-credit practical nursing diploma.
- Programs: Associate degree in nursing, bachelor of science in nursing, and practical nursing diploma
- Campus: Willmar, Minnesota
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Tuition: $197 per credit
- Admission Requirements: Official transcripts, TEAS scores, and a minimum 2.75 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.9% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $54,109 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard
50%
N/A
68%
N/A
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 3,255
- Institution Type
- Public
Riverland Community College
- Austin, MN
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Riverland offers flexible nursing programs in Minnesota with evening and daytime formats. Riverland students earn an ASN with the option to pursue a BSN through a bridge program at Winona State University.
Full-time nursing students take day courses, clinicals, and labs 3-4 days a week. Working degree-seekers can take an evening program. Courses explore pharmacology, family nursing, health assessments, and acute care. Learners complete clinicals at the Albert Lea, Austin, and Owatonna campuses.
In the final semester, enrollees can study abroad, find mentorships, or take complementary therapist courses.
- Programs: Associate of science in nursing, practical nursing diploma, and nursing assistant certificate
- Campus: Austin, Minnesota
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Tuition: $202 per credit for general education courses; $249 per credit for nursing courses
- Admission Requirements: Active CNA registration or current LPN license, prerequisite courses with a minimum 2.75 GPA, and a minimum 58.6% TEAS score
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 83.3% first-time pass rate
45%
N/A
63%
N/A
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 3,475
- Institution Type
- Public
Minnesota State University-Mankato
- Mankato, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Minnesota State Mankato features one of the best nursing schools in Minnesota with clinical placements in rural areas, Rochester, and the Twin Cities. Students choose from two nursing programs in Minnesota State Mankato's catalog.
The online RN-to-BSN program suits current associate degree-holding RNs. The pre-licensure nursing program offers family-focused courses for degree-seekers without a nursing background.
Over four years, learners study health assessments and nursing procedures, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and nursing leadership and management. Minnesota State Mankato also offers a doctor of nursing practice.
- Programs: Bachelor of science in nursing, RN-to-BSN, and doctor of nursing practice
- Campus: Mankato, Minnesota
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $355 per credit for online learners; $315 per credit for Mankato campus students
- Admission Requirements: 30 college credits with a minimum 3.0 GPA, core prerequisites with a minimum C grade average, and TEAS scores
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24-48 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.1% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $67,079 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
44%
$7,694
77%
$7,694
- Acceptance Rate
- 63%
- Students Enrolled
- 14,325
- Institution Type
- Public
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
- Fergus Falls, MN
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
M State offers three nursing programs in Minnesota for students just out of high school and experienced nurses.
Current LPNs earn an associate by completing 32 credits, including 21 prerequisites and 11 prior learning credits. M State also offers a 64-credit associate degree and a 40-credit practical nursing diploma.
The ADN covers nursing fundamentals: medical microbiology, human anatomy and physiology, reproductive health, and lifespan development. The ADN and LPN-to-ADN programs require nursing clinical hours.
- Programs: LPN-to-ADN, associate degree in nursing, and practical nursing diploma
- Campus: Fergus Falls, Minnesota
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation
- Tuition: $218 per credit
- Admission Requirements: ACT/SAT scores, minimum 58.6% TEAS score, minimum 3.0 GPA for ADN applicants and 2.75 GPA for LPN-to-ADN applicants, and American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.3% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $55,026 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard
43%
N/A
64%
N/A
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 6,086
- Institution Type
- Public
Winona State University
- Winona, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Founded over 50 years ago, WSU's nursing school offers a flexible RN-to-BSN degree that takes one year to complete.
Students take 30 nursing credits in research and evidence-based practice, holistics assessments, and population-based healthcare. Besides coursework, learners complete 60 clinical hours through WSU's partners. Working RNs can graduate in 1-4 years enrolled part time or in 12 months with full-time enrollment.
WSU offers nursing students a for-credit Biel Leadership Fellowship opportunity worth $1,500.
- Programs: Bachelor of science in nursing, RN-to-BSN, two master of science nursing programs, six doctor of nursing practice programs, and several post-graduate certificates
- Campus: Winona, Minnesota
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $4,050 per credit for Minnesota residents; $7,301 per credit for non-residents
- Admission Requirements: Associate degree in nursing or diploma in nursing for RN-to-BSN applicants, current RN license, and a minimum 2.75 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.0% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $65,101 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
34%
$ 7,488
77%
$11,286
- Acceptance Rate
- 68%
- Students Enrolled
- 7,605
- Institution Type
- Public
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
- Winona, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Saint Mary's offers an RN-to-BSN program that aligns with the institution's Lasallian principles.
Degree-seekers study in cohorts of about 40 students, completing 122 credits. The curriculum covers nursing research, pharmacology and applied mathematics, nursing ethics, and community health assessment.
Nursing students complete 585 clinical hours, 50% in the simulation lab. The program offers rolling admission and three start dates each year. Saint Mary's also features a doctor of nursing practice with a concentration in nurse anesthesiology.
- Programs: Bachelor of science in nursing and doctor of nursing practice
- Campus: Winona, Minnesota
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $40,520 per year for undergraduate students; $955 per credit for graduate students
- Admission Requirements: An associate in nursing degree, minimum 2.5 GPA, and current RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $97,071 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
33%
$9,180
84%
$9,180
- Acceptance Rate
- 92%
- Students Enrolled
- 5,548
- Institution Type
- Private