Nursing Schools in Minnesota: All 105 Approved Programs & NCLEX Pass Rates
Minnesota has 53 schools running 105 board-approved nursing programs — 67 RN-track and 38 PN/LPN-track. The average 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across Minnesota programs is 82.6%, 3.9 points below the national average of 86.5%. Every row below comes straight from the state board of nursing's published approved-program list — not self-reported school marketing.
Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota by NCLEX Pass Rate
Top RN programs ranked by 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, among programs with a published 2025 rate. Rates are one year of data — check multi-year trends before deciding.
- 1100%Mankato · Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)
- 2100%Moorhead · Baccalaureate Degree (no program name printed; listed under 'Licensure-preparing Programs Leading to a Baccalaureate Degree')
- 3100%St Bonifacius · Baccalaureate Nursing Program (Baccalaureate Degree section)
- 4100%Winona · Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)
- 596.7%Coon Rapids · Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)
- 695.8%North Mankato · Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)
- 795.8%Faribault · Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)
- 893.7%Minneapolis · Master of Nursing (MN) Program (Entry Level Masters Degree section)
- 993.1%St. Paul · Nursing Department (Baccalaureate Degree section)
- 1092.8%Mankato · School of Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)
What Nursing School Costs in Minnesota — and What Graduates Earn
Tuition, admissions and graduate-earnings figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, matched to 43 of 53 Minnesota schools. Earnings are program-level — the median for graduates of that school's own nursing program, not all its alumni.
Median federal loan debt for BSN graduates in Minnesota is $21,787 (17 programs). Sticker tuition is the whole school's published price, not the nursing program's alone, and it ignores aid — the number that decides whether a program pays off is what you actually pay plus the wages you give up while enrolled. Run your own numbers in the ROI calculator or read the full cost of becoming an RN.
Every Approved Nursing Program in Minnesota
Sort by any column, filter RN vs PN/LPN, or search a school or city.
105 of 105 programs · “—” = not published for that program · tuition is the school’s published in-state price for one year, before aid; grad pay is the median for that program’s own graduates, one year out
| Alexandria Technical College | Alexandria | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | — | — | 90.6% |
| Alexandria Technical College | Alexandria | Program of Practical NursingPN | — | — | 89.6% |
| Anoka Technical College | Anoka | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,267 | $42,648 | 84.3% |
| Anoka-Ramsey Community College | Coon Rapids | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $5,682 | $66,484 | 96.7% |
| Bemidji State University | Bemidji | Baccalaureate Nursing Program (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $10,237 | $77,639 | 89.7% |
| Bethany Lutheran College | Mankato | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $31,360 | — | 100% |
| Bethel University | St. Paul | Nursing Department (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $44,226 | $75,371 | 93.1% |
| Capella University | Minneapolis | School of Nursing and Health Sciences (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $14,400 | $85,426 | — |
| Central Lakes College | Brainerd | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | — | — | 87.9% |
| Central Lakes College | Brainerd | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | — | — | 83.3% |
| Century College | White Bear Lake | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,214 | $66,512 | 81.2% |
| College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University | St. Joseph | Department of Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | — | — | 90.8% |
| College of St. Scholastica | Duluth | School of Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $41,778 | $75,499 | 76.5% |
| College of St. Scholastica | Sartell | School of Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $41,778 | $75,499 | 76.5% |
| Concordia College Nursing Program | Moorhead | Baccalaureate Degree (no program name printed; listed under 'Licensure-preparing Programs Leading to a Baccalaureate Degree')RN | — | — | 100% |
| Concordia University St. Paul | St. Paul | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $25,600 | $73,235 | 86.9% |
| Crown College | St Bonifacius | Baccalaureate Nursing Program (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $31,410 | $63,539 | 100% |
| Dakota County Technical College | Rosemount | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,679 | $48,973 | 92.9% |
| Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College | Cloquet | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,006 | $57,141 | 57.1% |
| Gustavus Adolphus College | St. Peter | Baccalaureate Degree (no program name printed; listed under 'Licensure-preparing Programs Leading to a Baccalaureate Degree')RN | $56,076 | $71,294 | 90.3% |
| Hennepin Technical College | Eden Prairie | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $5,940 | $43,470 | 92.3% |
| Hennepin Technical College | Brooklyn Park | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $5,940 | $43,470 | 92.3% |
| Herzing University | St. Louis Park | Baccalaureate Nursing Program (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | — | — | 79.1% |
| Herzing University, Minneapolis | St. Louis Park | Diploma in Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $13,450 | — | — |
| Inver Hills Community College | Inver Grove Heights | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,146 | $66,870 | 70.3% |
| Lake Superior College | Duluth | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $5,785 | $64,846 | 89.9% |
| Lake Superior College | Duluth | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $5,785 | $47,190 | 100% |
| Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul | College of Nursing and Health Sciences (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $9,840 | $77,421 | 71% |
| Metropolitan State University | St. Paul | Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing Program (Entry Level Masters Degree section)RN | $9,840 | — | 85.7% |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College | Minneapolis | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,161 | $61,817 | 85.4% |
| Minnesota North College | Hibbing | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,022 | $61,116 | 75.5% |
| Minnesota North College | Grand Rapids | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,022 | $61,116 | 75.5% |
| Minnesota North College | Eveleth | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,022 | $61,116 | 75.5% |
| Minnesota North College | International Falls | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,022 | $61,116 | 75.5% |
| Minnesota North College | Hibbing | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,022 | $41,300 | 100% |
| Minnesota North College | Grand Rapids | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,022 | $41,300 | 100% |
| Minnesota North College | Eveleth | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,022 | $41,300 | 100% |
| Minnesota North College | International Falls | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,022 | $41,300 | 100% |
| Minnesota State College Southeast | Winona | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,432 | $74,091 | 87.2% |
| Minnesota State College Southeast | Red Wing | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,432 | $74,091 | 87.2% |
| Minnesota State College Southeast | Winona | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,432 | $43,145 | 90.9% |
| Minnesota State College Southeast | Red Wing | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,432 | $43,145 | 90.9% |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Detroit Lakes | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $5,908 | $58,823 | 80.3% |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Fergus Falls | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $5,908 | $58,823 | 80.3% |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Wadena | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $5,908 | $58,823 | 80.3% |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Detroit Lakes | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $5,908 | $39,109 | 80.4% |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Fergus Falls | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $5,908 | $39,109 | 80.4% |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Moorhead | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $5,908 | $39,109 | 80.4% |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Wadena | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $5,908 | $39,109 | 80.4% |
| Minnesota State University, Mankato | Mankato | School of Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $9,572 | $75,655 | 92.8% |
| Minnesota State University, Moorhead | Moorhead | Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Program (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $10,428 | $78,006 | 73.5% |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College | Worthington | Associate Degree Nursing (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,491 | $74,877 | 87.5% |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College | Worthington | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,491 | — | 97% |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College | Pipestone | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,491 | — | 97% |
| Normandale Community College | Bloomington | Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,329 | $65,052 | 89.5% |
| North Hennepin Community College | Brooklyn Park | Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $5,061 | $67,312 | 86.9% |
| Northland Community and Technical College | Thief River Falls | Associate in Science Degree - Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,289 | $67,075 | 79% |
| Northland Community and Technical College | East Grand Forks | Associate in Science Degree - Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,289 | $67,075 | 79% |
| Northland Community and Technical College | East Grand Forks | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,289 | $44,017 | 92.8% |
| Northland Community and Technical College | Thief River Falls | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,289 | $44,017 | 92.8% |
| Northland Community and Technical College | Roseau | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,289 | $44,017 | 92.8% |
| Northwest Technical College, Bemidji | Bemidji | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | — | — | 69.8% |
| Northwest Technical College, Bemidji | Bemidji | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | — | — | 61.1% |
| Pine Technical and Community College | Pine City | Associate Degree Nursing Mobility Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $4,738 | $64,961 | 80.6% |
| Pine Technical and Community College | Pine City | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $4,738 | $37,690 | 100% |
| Rasmussen University | Bloomington | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | — | — | 83.5% |
| Rasmussen University | Eagan | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | — | — | 83.5% |
| Rasmussen University | Brooklyn Park | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | — | — | 83.5% |
| Rasmussen University | Mankato | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | — | — | 83.5% |
| Rasmussen University | Mankato | Nursing Program- MankatoPN | — | — | 93.8% |
| Rasmussen University | Moorhead | Nursing Program- MoorheadPN | — | — | 85% |
| Rasmussen University | St. Cloud | Nursing Program- St. CloudPN | — | — | 100% |
| Rasmussen University | Eagan | Practical Nursing Program- EaganPN | — | — | 85.5% |
| Rasmussen University | Mankato | Professional Nursing Program- Mankato (Associate Degree section)RN | — | — | 78.4% |
| Rasmussen University | Moorhead | Professional Nursing Program- Moorhead (Associate Degree section)RN | — | — | 69.2% |
| Rasmussen University | St. Cloud | Professional Nursing Program- St. Cloud (Associate Degree section)RN | — | — | 71% |
| Rasmussen University – Brooklyn Park | Brooklyn Park | Practical Nursing (per BON NCLEX-PN rate report)PN | — | — | — |
| Rasmussen University –Bloomington | Bloomington | Associate Degree Nursing (per BON NCLEX-RN rate report) (Associate Degree section)RN | $11,490 | — | 0% |
| Ridgewater College | Willmar | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,121 | $59,082 | 84.7% |
| Ridgewater College | Hutchinson | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,121 | $59,082 | 84.7% |
| Ridgewater College | Willmar | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,121 | $44,921 | 87% |
| Ridgewater College | Hutchinson | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,121 | $44,921 | 87% |
| Riverland Community College | Austin | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,298 | $69,481 | 85% |
| Riverland Community College | Austin | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,298 | $44,726 | 77.4% |
| Rochester Community and Technical College | Rochester | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,389 | $70,020 | 85% |
| Rochester Community and Technical College | Rochester | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,389 | $42,200 | 85% |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | Winona | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $45,080 | $84,323 | 100% |
| Saint Paul College | St. Paul | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,326 | $44,393 | 73.7% |
| South Central College | North Mankato | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,146 | $60,434 | 95.8% |
| South Central College | Faribault | Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,146 | $60,434 | 95.8% |
| South Central College | North Mankato | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,146 | — | 96.6% |
| South Central College | Faribault | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,146 | — | 96.6% |
| St. Catherine University | St. Paul | School of Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $51,454 | $76,084 | 84.4% |
| St. Catherine University | St. Paul | School of Nursing, Masters Entry Program (Entry Level Masters Degree section)RN | $51,454 | — | 77.8% |
| St. Cloud State University | St. Cloud | Department of Nursing Science (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $10,245 | $74,111 | 76.9% |
| St. Cloud Technical and Community College | St. Cloud | Associate Degree in Nursing Mobility Program (Associate Degree section)RN | $6,124 | $59,395 | 83.7% |
| St. Cloud Technical and Community College | St. Cloud | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $6,124 | $39,897 | 75.5% |
| St. Olaf College | Northfield | Baccalaureate Degree (no program name printed; listed under 'Licensure-preparing Programs Leading to a Baccalaureate Degree')RN | $59,760 | $76,078 | 81.5% |
| University of Minnesota | Minneapolis | School of Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | — | — | 84.4% |
| University of Minnesota | Rochester | School of Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | — | — | 84.4% |
| University of Minnesota School of Nursing | Minneapolis | Master of Nursing (MN) Program (Entry Level Masters Degree section)RN | — | — | 93.7% |
| University of Northwestern - St. Paul | St. Paul | Baccalaureate Nursing Program (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $37,920 | $75,121 | 88.6% |
| University of St. Thomas | St. Paul | Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $54,398 | — | — |
| University of St. Thomas | St. Paul | Master of Science in Nursing Program (Entry Level Masters Degree section)RN | $54,398 | — | 91.1% |
| Winona State University | Winona | College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Department of Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)RN | $10,576 | $75,313 | 87.2% |
Whichever school you choose, the NCLEX is the finish line
The pass rates above are made by students, not buildings. Students who do well start NCLEX-style practice in their first semester — studying for class exams and the boards at the same time. NurseSavvy turns your own course materials into matched NCLEX practice questions from day one — free to try, then $19/mo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best nursing school in Minnesota by NCLEX pass rate?
4 RN programs in Minnesota tied for the highest 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate at 100%, including Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato — see the full ranked list above, among programs with a published 2025 rate on the state board's list.
How many nursing schools are in Minnesota?
Minnesota has 53 schools offering 105 board-approved nursing programs: 67 RN-track (ADN/BSN and similar) and 38 PN/LPN-track programs, per the state board of nursing's current approved-program list.
What is the average NCLEX pass rate in Minnesota?
Across Minnesota RN programs with a published 2025 rate, the average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 82.6% — 3.9 points below the national average of 86.5%.
How much does nursing school cost in Minnesota?
Across Minnesota nursing schools we could match to U.S. Department of Education data, median published in-state tuition and fees run $6,267 a year at public schools (29 schools) and $43,002 at private nonprofits (12 schools). That is the whole institution's sticker price per year, before aid — an ADN takes about two years and a BSN four, and most students pay less than sticker. Per-school figures are in the table above.
What do nursing graduates in Minnesota earn?
Federal earnings data tracks graduates of each specific nursing program. In Minnesota, median earnings one year after finishing are $65,052 for ADN graduates (19 programs) and $75,655 for BSN graduates (17 programs). These are medians of program-level medians and the federal figures lag by a few years, so treat them as a floor for comparison between schools rather than a salary prediction.
What does a first-time NCLEX pass rate tell me about a school?
It is the share of a program’s graduates who passed the NCLEX on their first attempt — the single most comparable public outcome number nursing programs report. Boards of nursing track it for program approval, and consistently low rates can put a program on conditional status. Compare it alongside cost, location, and program length, not in isolation.
About this data
Program list and 2025 first-time NCLEX pass rates are taken directly from the Minnesota board of nursing's published approved-program materials. “—” means the board did not publish a 2025 rate for that program (new programs, small cohorts, or PN lists without rate tables). Pass rates refresh annually; this page is rebuilt from the board lists when they update.
Tuition, admission rates, graduate earnings and debt come from the U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts, June 10 2026 data release), matched by school name and city to 43 of 53 Minnesota schools. Schools the federal data does not cover — hospital-based programs and schools outside federal student-aid reporting — show “—” rather than an estimate. Tuition and admission rates describe the whole institution; earnings and debt are specific to its nursing programs, by credential, and lag the current graduating class by several years.
- collegescorecard.ed.gov — Most Recent Cohorts, June 10 2026 data release
- mn.gov — list: Live page, viewed 2026-07-12 (no revision date printed); rates = CY2025 first-time, BON 2022-2025 NCLEX report (PDF dated 2026-02-05)
- mn.gov — list: Live page, viewed 2026-07-12 (no revision date printed); rates = CY2025 first-time, BON 2022-2025 NCLEX report (PDF dated 2026-02-05)