Minnesota Nursing Schools and Programs
Selecting then applying to nursing schools in Minnesota can be a time consuming task. For those just getting started in Nursing, we suggest that you focus on your near term Minnesota education goals and licensing requirements. The first question to ask yourself is: Do I want to begin my career as a Nursing Assistant, Practical Nurse, or Minnesota Registered Nurse?
Minnesota Registered Nurse programs generally lead to an Associate Degree in Nursing or Bachelor Degree in Nursing which typically last 2 to 4 years.
Finding the best Nurse Practitioner school in Minnesota before you become a Registered Nurse, for example, may bog down the school selection and application process. Furthermore, many four year undergraduate colleges routinely accept transfer credits for prerequisites often called pre-nursing courses.
While earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN, ASN) or Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BDN, BSN) is an important milestone for nurses, many Minnesota nursing school students gain meaningful work experience and an income upon completion of a shorter Certified Nursing Assistant or Licensed Practical Nursing program in the state of Minnesota.
To help students search for the best nursing school in Minnesota, we have outlined some key questions to ask. Below on this page you will find the following:
- How do I become a nurse in Minnesota?
- Is Minnesota a nursing compact state?
- How long is nursing school in Minnesota?
- How much does nursing school in Minnesota cost?
- Is it hard to get into a Minnesota nursing school?
- List of nursing schools in Minnesota.
How do I become a nurse in Minnesota?
If you want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of Minnesota, you will need to complete a Practical Nurse training program. Practical Nursing programs generally last 1 to 1.5 years. Upon completion of your Minnesota practical nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-PN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-PN exam, you will apply for a Practical Nurse license from the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
If you want to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Minnesota, you will need to complete a Registered Nurse training program. Registered Nurse programs generally last 2 to 4 years. Upon completion of your Minnesota registered nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-RN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you will apply for a Registered Nurse license from the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Is Minnesota a nursing compact state?
No, Minnesota is not part of the nursing license compact. States which joined the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC) allow the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN) to practice in other participating states using one multi-state nursing license. This means that a Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurse or a Minnesota Registered Nurse must apply for a license by endorsement when moving to another state.
How long is nursing school in Minnesota?
The amount of time you spend in a Minnesota nursing school will vary based upon the career path you choose. You can become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in as little as 6 to 12 weeks. Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1 to 1.5 years, a Minnesota Registered Nurse (RN) in 2 to 4 years, or stay in nursing school longer to become a Nurse Practitioner in 6 to 8 years.
Above on this page we created a tabular image which summarizes how long nursing school is in Minnesota. That image includes the number of nurses employed in the state of Minnesota, along with the average wages earned at each education level.
Notice that in the state of Minnesota, far greater numbers are employed as a Registered Nurse (RN) compared to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Notice also that a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Minnesota earns far more in wages compared to a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
Use the nursing program acronyms CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD to help identify which Minnesota nursing schools offer the length of program you desire.
How much does nursing school in Minnesota cost?
Tuition for a nursing school in Minnesota will cost between $4,000 to $6,000 per year for state residents seeking a two year Associate degree, an ADN or ASN, for example. The larger public four year colleges and universities in Minnesota cost more between $6,000 to $15,000 per year for state residents seeking their Bachelor Degree in Nursing, a BDN or BSN.
To help reduce the cost of nursing school in Minnesota, a student can generally take their pre-nursing courses at a smaller two year college. Then, transfer those credits into the larger four year college or university of your choice. Each college has their own method of awarding transfer credits for pre-nursing coursework. You will need to plan ahead and question the receiving school before you start your first pre-nursing class.
Is it hard to get into a Minnesota nursing school?
We list the quoted acceptance rate provided by each Minnesota nursing school. A college acceptance rate is calculated by dividing the number of accepted students by the number of total applicants. Reviewing the list of nursing schools in Minnesota provided below, we can see the acceptance rates range from about 60% to 100% or Open. SAT and ACT scores are displayed on each individual nursing school page.
If you are having trouble getting accepted into a Minnesota nursing school due to a below average GPA, SAT, or ACT score, here are two strategies which might help: 1) take your pre-nursing courses at your local community college then reapply later as a transfer student with an above average GPA, and, 2) get your Nursing Assistant or Practical Nurse license to help you gain experience and stand out from other college applicants.
List Of Nursing Schools In Minnesota
Below is our complete list of accredited nursing schools in Minnesota. In general, these schools offer campus based CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD, and more nursing programs approved by the Minnesota Board Of Nursing.
Click the name of any Minnesota nursing school below to view the cost to attend, SAT and ACT scores, college or university characteristics, student body profile, satellite map of the surrounding area, and to view any additional nursing program information we have available in our database.
Anoka - Ramsey Community College
11200 Mississippi Boulevard NW,
Coon Rapids,
MN
55433
763-433-1100
Anoka - Ramsey Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Coon Rapids, Minnesota campus for Anoka - Ramsey Community College is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 7,902. In-state tuition and fees were $5,655 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN
- Tuition Cost $5,655
- Acceptance Rate Open
Augsburg College
2211 Riverside Avenue South,
Minneapolis,
MN
55454
612-330-1000
Augsburg College is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Minneapolis, Minnesota campus for Augsburg College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 3,088. In-state tuition and fees were $42,074 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP
- Tuition Cost $42,074
- Room and Board $11,559
- Acceptance Rate 77%
Bemidji State University
1500 Birchmont Drive NE,
Bemidji,
MN
56601
800-475-2001
Bemidji State University is a Public institution with a campus in Bemidji, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Bemidji, Minnesota campus for Bemidji State University is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 4,023. In-state tuition and fees were $10,130 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN
- Tuition Cost $10,130
- Room and Board $9,572
- Acceptance Rate 78%
- ACT Score 18-23
Bethel University
3900 Bethel Drive,
Saint Paul,
MN
55112
651-638-6400
Bethel University is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Saint Paul, Minnesota campus for Bethel University is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 3,546. In-state tuition and fees were $41,270 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, Nurse Educator
- Tuition Cost $41,270
- Room and Board $11,490
- Acceptance Rate 72%
- ACT Score 20-28
College of Saint Catherine, Minneapolis
601 25th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55454
College of Saint Catherine, Minneapolis is a institution with a campus in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, LPN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP
College of Saint Catherine, St Paul
2004 Randolph Avenue, St Paul, MN 55105
College of Saint Catherine, St Paul is a institution with a campus in St Paul, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN, Nurse Practitioner
College of St. Scholastica
1200 Kenwood Ave, Duluth, MN 55811
College of St. Scholastica is a institution with a campus in Duluth, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD
Concordia College
901 8th St S,
Moorhead,
MN
56562
218-299-4100
Concordia College is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Moorhead, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Moorhead, Minnesota campus for Concordia College is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,903. In-state tuition and fees were $28,916 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, Accelerated BSN
- Tuition Cost $28,916
- Room and Board $10,510
- Acceptance Rate 66%
- ACT Score 21-28
Gustavus Adolphus College
800 West College Avenue,
Saint Peter,
MN
56082
507-933-8000
Gustavus Adolphus College is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Saint Peter, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Saint Peter, Minnesota campus for Gustavus Adolphus College is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 2,072. In-state tuition and fees were $53,030 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN
- Tuition Cost $53,030
- Room and Board $11,010
- Acceptance Rate 74%
- ACT Score 25-31
Inver Hills Community College, Inver Grove Heights
2500 80th Street East,
Inver Grove Heights,
MN
55076
651-450-8500
Inver Hills Community College, Inver Grove Heights is a Public institution with a campus in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota campus for Inver Hills Community College, Inver Grove Heights is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 3,459. In-state tuition and fees were $6,007 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: ASN
- Tuition Cost $6,007
- Acceptance Rate Open
Metropolitan State University
700 East 7th Street,
Saint Paul,
MN
55106
651-793-1212
Metropolitan State University is a Public institution with a campus in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Saint Paul, Minnesota campus for Metropolitan State University is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 6,294. In-state tuition and fees were $9,684 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, RN-to-MSN, Nurse Practitioner
- Tuition Cost $9,684
- Acceptance Rate 82%
- ACT Score 21-26
Minneapolis Community & Technical College
1501 Hennepin Avenue,
Minneapolis,
MN
55403
612-659-6000
Minneapolis Community & Technical College is a Public institution with a campus in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Minneapolis, Minnesota campus for Minneapolis Community & Technical College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 6,030. In-state tuition and fees were $6,098 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN, LPN-to-RN, BSN
- Tuition Cost $6,098
- Acceptance Rate Open
Minnesota Intercollegiate Nursing Consortium
1520 St. Olaf Avenue,, Northfield, MN 55057
Minnesota Intercollegiate Nursing Consortium is a institution with a campus in Northfield, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. …
Minnesota State University Moorhead
1104 7th Ave South,
Moorhead,
MN
56563
218-477-4000
Minnesota State University Moorhead is a Public institution with a campus in Moorhead, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Moorhead, Minnesota campus for Minnesota State University Moorhead is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 4,682. In-state tuition and fees were $10,236 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP
- Tuition Cost $10,236
- Room and Board $10,104
- Acceptance Rate 57%
- ACT Score 18-24
Normandale Community College
9700 France Avenue South,
Bloomington,
MN
55431
952-487-8200
Normandale Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Bloomington, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Bloomington, Minnesota campus for Normandale Community College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 9,346. In-state tuition and fees were $6,321 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: ASN
- Tuition Cost $6,321
- Acceptance Rate Open
North Hennepin Community College
7411 85th Avenue North,
Brooklyn Park,
MN
55445
763-424-0702
North Hennepin Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Brooklyn Park, Minnesota campus for North Hennepin Community College is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 4,896. In-state tuition and fees were $5,050 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: ASN, LPN-to-RN
- Tuition Cost $5,050
- Acceptance Rate Open
Ridgewater College, Hutchinson
2 Century Avenue SE,
Hutchinson,
MN
55350
320-234-8500
Ridgewater College, Hutchinson is a institution with a campus in Hutchinson, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN
Ridgewater College, Willmar
2101 15th Avenue NW,
Willmar,
MN
56201
320-222-5200
Ridgewater College, Willmar is a Public institution with a campus in Willmar, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Willmar, Minnesota campus for Ridgewater College, Willmar is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 2,904. In-state tuition and fees were $6,114 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN
- Tuition Cost $6,114
- Acceptance Rate Open
Riverland Community College
1900 8th Avenue NW,
Austin,
MN
55912
507-433-0600
Riverland Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Austin, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Austin, Minnesota campus for Riverland Community College is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 3,175. In-state tuition and fees were $6,250 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: ASN
- Tuition Cost $6,250
- Acceptance Rate Open
Rochester Community & Technical College
851 30th Avenue Southeast,
Rochester,
MN
55904
507-285-7210
Rochester Community & Technical College is a Public institution with a campus in Rochester, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Rochester, Minnesota campus for Rochester Community & Technical College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 4,482. In-state tuition and fees were $5,670 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN, LPN-to-RN
- Tuition Cost $5,670
- Acceptance Rate Open
Saint Olaf College
1520 St. Olaf Avenue,
Northfield,
MN
55057
507-786-2222
Saint Olaf College is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Northfield, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Northfield, Minnesota campus for Saint Olaf College is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 3,046. In-state tuition and fees were $54,650 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN
- Tuition Cost $54,650
- Room and Board $12,450
- Acceptance Rate 56%
- ACT Score 28-33
Saint Paul College
235 Marshall Avenue,
St Paul,
MN
55102
651-846-1600
Saint Paul College is a Public institution with a campus in St Paul, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The St Paul, Minnesota campus for Saint Paul College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 5,365. In-state tuition and fees were $6,318 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN
- Tuition Cost $6,318
- Acceptance Rate Open
University of Minnesota
308 SE Harvard St,
Minneapolis,
MN
55455
612-625-5000
University of Minnesota is a Public institution with a campus in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Minneapolis, Minnesota campus for University of Minnesota is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 54,955. In-state tuition and fees were $15,859 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, DNP, DNAP, PhD, Certified Nurse Midwife
- Tuition Cost $15,859
- Room and Board $11,894
- Acceptance Rate 75%
- ACT Score 27-32
Winona State University
175 W Mark St,
Winona,
MN
55987
507-457-5000
Winona State University is a Public institution with a campus in Winona, Minnesota. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Winona, Minnesota campus for Winona State University is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 6,154. In-state tuition and fees were $10,492 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN, Nurse Practitioner
- Tuition Cost $10,492
- Room and Board $9,654
- Acceptance Rate 74%
- ACT Score 19-25
The nursing program acronyms CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD, etcetera used in our list of Minnesota nursing schools may differ from the actual title published by the college or university.
Nursing schools in Minnesota and other states, for example, may follow their own traditional degree naming convention, or, attempt to follow a newer naming convention trending nationwide.
Last updated: August 1, 2024
References:
- Minnesota Nursing License Requirements. State of Minnesota, Board of Nursing. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- Minnesota State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- Tuition And Characteristics Of Minnesota Colleges. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- Minnesota Nurse Licensure Compact Status. NCSBN, National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Retrieved August 1, 2024.