Nursing in Minnesota
Minnesota has 53 nursing schools running 105 board-approved programs, and the median RN program’s first-time NCLEX pass rate was 84.4%. Registered nurses here earn a median of $101,510; nurse practitioners, $133,260. Minnesota is not a compact state. Every figure below names its source and the period it covers.
Nursing Schools in Minnesota
101 of Minnesota’s 105 programs have a published 2025 first-time pass rate. RN programs averaged 82.6% — 3.9 points below the 86.5% national average. Practical nursing programs averaged 89.3%.
| Degree | Programs | Median pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Associate (ADN) | 35 | 81.2% |
| Bachelor’s (BSN) | 28 | 84.4% (26 rated) |
Both degrees lead to the same RN license. ADN vs BSN, compared nationally →
Highest first-time pass rates (2025)
In-state RN programs. Ties go to the program with more nursing graduates. A single year’s rate swings widely for small programs; check the trend before you choose.
- Crown CollegeSt Bonifacius · Baccalaureate Nursing Program (Baccalaureate Degree section)100%
- Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaWinona · Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)100%
- Bethany Lutheran CollegeMankato · Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Baccalaureate Degree section)100%
- Concordia College Nursing ProgramMoorhead · Baccalaureate Degree (no program name printed; listed under 'Licensure-preparing Programs Leading to a Baccalaureate Degree')100%
- Anoka-Ramsey Community CollegeCoon Rapids · Associate Degree Nursing Program (Associate Degree section)96.7%
What Nurses Earn in Minnesota
Federal wage survey data (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — employer-reported, not job-board estimates. The RN median in Minnesota is $3,960 above the $97,550 national median; the NP median is $960 above the $132,300 national NP median.
| Minnesota | Registered nurse | Nurse practitioner |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $101,510 | $133,260 |
| Median hourly | $48.80 | $64.07 |
| Starting range (10th pct.) | $79,960 | $98,950 |
| Top earners (90th pct.) | $132,430 | $170,140 |
| Employed in state | 70,110 | 7,780 |
Licensing in Minnesota
Minnesota is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A Minnesota license covers Minnesota only, and a nurse licensed in another state needs a separate Minnesota license to practice here (licensure by endorsement).
Either way the license starts the same: graduate from a board-approved program and pass the NCLEX. Fees, processing times, and continuing-education rules are set by the Minnesota board of nursing and change — confirm them with the board directly. The board documents these pass rates came from: Live page, viewed 2026-07-12 (no revision date printed); rates = CY2025 first-time, BON 2022-2025 NCLEX report (PDF dated 2026-02-05) (1), Live page, viewed 2026-07-12 (no revision date printed); rates = CY2025 first-time, BON 2022-2025 NCLEX report (PDF dated 2026-02-05) (2).
Sources
- First-time NCLEX pass rates by programEach state board of nursing — the exact board documents are linked on every state page · Data: 2025 first-time test takers · Checked
- Program cost, completion, and graduate earningsU.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Checked
- Registered nurse wages and employment (SOC 29-1141)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data: May 2025 · Checked
- Nurse practitioner wages and employment (SOC 29-1171)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data: May 2025 · Checked
- Nurse Licensure Compact member states and implementation datesNational Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) · Checked
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing schools are in Minnesota?
Minnesota has 53 nursing schools running 105 board-approved programs — 67 RN programs and 38 practical nursing programs (state board of nursing list, 2025 pass-rate year).
What is the NCLEX pass rate in Minnesota?
The median Minnesota RN program's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 84.4%, and the average across programs was 82.6% — 3.9 points below the 86.5% national average (2025 first-time test takers, from the state board of nursing).
How much do nurses make in Minnesota?
Registered nurses in Minnesota earn a median of $101,510 a year ($48.80 an hour), $3,960 above the national RN median. Nurse practitioners earn a median of $133,260 (BLS, May 2025).
Is Minnesota a compact nursing state?
Minnesota is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A Minnesota license covers Minnesota only, and a nurse licensed in another state needs a separate Minnesota license to practice here (licensure by endorsement). Source: NCSBN compact map, checked September 17, 2026.
Nursing in other states
Keep going
- Degree pathwayADN vs BSNBoth degrees lead to the same RN license. Here is how associate and bachelor’s programs actually compare on NCLEX pass rates, graduate debt, and earnings.
- GuideADN vs BSN: Which Nursing Program Should You Choose?Compare ADN and prelicensure BSN pathways by time, total cost, admission, clinical logistics, employer expectations, and bridge options—not prestige alone.
- FinderCheapest RN programs in the U.S.The lowest-cost RN programs nationally, with their NCLEX pass rates alongside.
- FinderCompare nursing schoolsPut any nursing programs side by side on pass rate, cost, and outcomes.
- GuideHow Competitive Is Nursing School Admission?Estimate nursing-school competitiveness using seats, qualified applicants, point rubrics, recent cutoffs, attrition, and the parts of your application you can still change.
- Degree pathwayLPN to RNThe pay difference between a practical nurse and a registered nurse, and how practical-nursing and RN programs compare on pass rates, debt, and graduate earnings.