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Gustavus Adolphus College vs Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

BSN programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.

Updated Reviewed by NurseWay Editorial Team

At a glance

Higher NCLEX pass rate
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
100% vs 90.3%
Lower tuition
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
$43,160 vs $54,310
Easier to get into
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
88.8% vs 61.8% acceptance

Side-by-side details

Best value in each row is highlighted.

Gustavus Adolphus College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Program typeBSNBSN
Formatin personin person
LocationSaint Peter, MNWinona, MN
Length48 months48 months
NCLEX pass rate90.3%100%BEST
Acceptance rate61.8%88.8%BEST
Avg accepted GPA
Min GPA
Entrance exam
Total tuition$54,310$43,160BEST
In-state tuition$54,310$43,160BEST
Out-of-state tuition$54,310$43,160BEST
Clinical placement
AccreditationCCNECCNE

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has a higher NCLEX pass rate, Gustavus Adolphus College or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's BSN program has the higher first-attempt NCLEX pass rate at 100%, compared to 90.3% for the other program. NCLEX pass rates are the single best signal of how well a program prepares students for licensure.

Which is cheaper, Gustavus Adolphus College or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is the more affordable option at roughly $43,160, compared to $54,310. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.

Are Gustavus Adolphus College and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota the same type of program?

Both are BSN programs, so they award the same credential. Compare them on NCLEX pass rate, tuition, length, and location to find the better fit.

How do I decide between Gustavus Adolphus College and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?

Start by ruling out programs you can't get into (compare your GPA against each school's admissions stats), then weight what matters most — NCLEX pass rate for quality, total tuition for cost, length for time-to-degree, and format (online, hybrid, in-person) for lifestyle. Use NurseWay's free intake to get a personalized fit score for both.

Want a personalized fit score?

Take the free 3-minute intake and we'll rank both programs against your GPA, location preferences, and budget.