Skip to content

Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota (2026)

Minnesota has 158 nursing programs across 38 cities. 63 programs report NCLEX pass rates, averaging 85%. Below are the top-ranked programs based on NCLEX performance, tuition, and program type.

Search all Minnesota programsAll states
Updated Reviewed by NurseWay Editorial Team
158
Total programs
6
Program types
85%
Avg NCLEX rate
63
With NCLEX data

Top BSN Programs in Minnesota by NCLEX Pass Rate

Ranked by most recent NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate. Data sourced from state boards of nursing.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Minnesota North College — Bachelor's in Nursing
BSN•Moorhead, MN•$6,004 in / $7,302 out
19
20

Top ADN, ABSN, MSN & DNP Programs in Minnesota by NCLEX Pass Rate

Non-BSN programs ranked by most recent NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate.

1
2
3
4
5
Bethel University — RN to BSN
RN_TO_BSN•St. Paul, MN•$42,930
6
Bethel University — Accelerated BSN
ABSN•St. Paul, MN•$42,930
7
8
9
10
11
12
Bemidji State University — RN to BSN
RN_TO_BSN•Bemidji, MN•$10,164
13
14
15
16
17
Winona State University — RN to BSN
RN_TO_BSN•Winona, MN•$10,498 in / $17,230 out
18
19
Concordia University-Saint Paul — RN to BSN
RN_TO_BSN•St. Paul, MN•$25,000
20

Nursing Programs in Minnesota by Type

ADN
33 programs
Avg NCLEX: 83%
View ADN in Minnesota→All states
BSN
29 programs
Avg NCLEX: 86%
View BSN in Minnesota→All states
ABSN
7 programs
Avg NCLEX: 84%
View ABSN in Minnesota→All states
RN to BSN
12 programs
Avg NCLEX: 89%
View RN to BSN in Minnesota→All states
MSN
18 programs
Avg NCLEX: 84%
View MSN in Minnesota→All states
DNP
33 programs
Avg NCLEX: 84%
View DNP in Minnesota→All states

Nursing Programs in Minnesota by City

Drill into city-level rankings. Showing cities with at least 3 programs.

Saint Paul (23)Minneapolis (20)Winona (11)Duluth (10)Mankato (7)Moorhead (7)St. Cloud (7)Rochester (6)Bemidji (5)St. Paul (5)Bloomington (4)Saint Cloud (4)Brooklyn Park (3)Fergus Falls (3)North Mankato (3)Thief River Falls (3)

Most Affordable Nursing Schools in Minnesota

Sorted by lowest available tuition figure (total program or annual in-state).

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • CERT
$3,257
Pine Technical & Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$4,681
Pine Technical & Community College
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$4,681
St Cloud Technical and Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$4,957
St Cloud Technical and Community College
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$4,957
North Hennepin Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$5,050
Rasmussen University-Minnesota
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • MSN
$5,627
Rasmussen University-Minnesota
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • DNP
$5,627
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$5,682
Lake Superior College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$5,786

Frequently Asked Questions

How many nursing schools are in Minnesota?

There are 158 nursing programs in Minnesota, spanning 33 ADN, 29 BSN, 7 ABSN, 12 RN to BSN, 18 MSN, 33 DNP programs.

What is the average NCLEX pass rate in Minnesota?

Based on 63 programs with reported data, the average NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate in Minnesota is 85%. The highest rate is 100% at Bethany Lutheran College.

What is the cheapest nursing school in Minnesota?

The most affordable option is Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (CERT) at $3,257.

Compare Minnesota with Nearby States

Considering programs across state lines? Browse nursing schools in neighboring states.

Nursing schools in IowaNursing schools in KansasNursing schools in MissouriNursing schools in NebraskaNursing schools in North DakotaNursing schools in South DakotaNursing schools in CaliforniaNursing schools in Texas

Helpful Guides for Minnesota Applicants

Background reading on admissions, program length, and costs.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) GuideOnline ADN ProgramsBest Online BSN ProgramsEasiest Nursing Schools to Get IntoTop Online RN-to-BSN ProgramsCheap and Fast Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Want personalized rankings? Complete the intake portal to see match scores tailored to your GPA, exam scores, and preferences.