Campus & online schools
Nursing Schools in Minnesota: Campus & Online Programs (2026)
13 nursing schools have campuses in Minnesota, plus accredited online programs open to residents. Compare programs accepting applications below.
- Campus schools
- 13
- Located in Minnesota
- Online schools
- 41
- Enroll residents
- Average RN salary
- $99,460
- BLS
Programs accepting applications
Minnesota programs accepting applications
Programs currently enrolling Minnesota residents. Our own ranking of Minnesota schools follows below.
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Minnesota has 13 campus-based nursing schools plus 41 accredited online programs open to residents (2026). Registered nurses in Minnesota earn about $99,460/year (BLS). Verify each program's ACEN or CCNE accreditation before enrolling.
Key takeaways — nursing schools in Minnesota
- Minnesota has 13 campus-based nursing schools and 41 accredited online programs available to residents.
- Registered nurses in Minnesota earn an average of $99,460 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
- Verify each program's ACEN or CCNE accreditation before enrolling — it is the baseline for federal financial aid, NCLEX eligibility, and graduate nursing study.
- Online pre-licensure programs must hold Minnesota Board of Nursing approval and arrange in-state clinical placements — verify both before enrolling.
Campus-Based Nursing Schools in Minnesota
Accredited nursing schools with a campus in Minnesota. Outcome data is added as state boards publish it.
| School | NCLEX Pass Rate | Acceptance Rate | Accreditation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anoka-Ramsey Community College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| Capella University | N/A | — | CCNE | View School |
| Central Lakes College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| Century College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| Concordia University, St. Paul | N/A | — | CCNE (baccalaureate degree program in nursing); registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education | View School |
| Herzing University – Minneapolis | N/A | — | Baccalaureate nursing accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) at this campus (herzing.edu). | View School |
| Minneapolis College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| Normandale Community College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| North Hennepin Community College | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| Rasmussen University | N/A | 100% | ACEN | View School |
| Southwest Minnesota State University | N/A | — | ACEN | View School |
| University of Minnesota – School of Nursing | N/A | — | CCNE | View School |
| Walden University | N/A | — | CCNE | View School |
Find Minnesota nursing schools near you
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Online Nursing Programs Available to Minnesota Residents
These accredited schools are based outside Minnesota but enroll Minnesota residents online. Confirm clinical-placement and Minnesota Board of Nursing approval before enrolling in any pre-licensure RN program.
How We Evaluate Nursing Schools in Minnesota
We separate schools with a physical campus in Minnesota from accredited online programs that enroll Minnesota residents, because the two answer different questions — one is about studying locally, the other about studying from Minnesota. Within each group we weight NCLEX first-time pass rate most heavily; it is the strongest available predictor of how well a program prepares graduates for licensure.
Accreditation is non-negotiable: we only include schools accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or regionally accredited programs with state board approval. We also consider acceptance rate (program selectivity), program variety across degree levels (LPN through doctoral), and value relative to regional salary expectations. Where a school has not yet reported outcome data, we show it without inventing a number.
What to Look for in a Minnesota Nursing School
The most important factor is NCLEX pass rate. The national first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for U.S.-educated candidates was 86.7% in 2025 (NCSBN), down from 91.2% in 2024. Programs consistently above 90% have demonstrated they effectively prepare students for licensure. Ask schools for their three-year average pass rate — a single good year can be an anomaly.
Accreditation matters for several reasons beyond quality assurance. CCNE- or ACEN-accredited programs make you eligible for federal financial aid, qualify you for military service, and meet the requirements for most graduate nursing programs if you plan to advance your career later.
Consider clinical placement. Hospitals in Minnesota often have affiliation agreements with specific nursing schools, giving graduates an inside track to jobs. If you are considering an online program based outside Minnesota, confirm that it arranges clinical placements within Minnesota and is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing for pre-licensure study.
Nursing Career Outlook in Minnesota
Registered nurses in Minnesota earn an average of $99,460 annually. The BLS projects nursing employment to grow 6% nationally through 2032 — faster than the average for all occupations — driven by an aging population and expanded access to healthcare. Minnesota is expected to see strong demand in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and home health settings.
BSN-prepared nurses command higher salaries and have access to broader roles. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that 80% of nursing positions now prefer or require a BSN. If you currently hold an ADN, many schools serving Minnesotaoffer flexible RN-to-BSN completion programs you can complete while working.