Earning your degree from one of the best nursing schools in Minnesota is essential to your success as a nurse. Getting your education and training from an institution that centres on excellence and community is the first step when embarking on a nursing journey.
The demand for nurses in Minnesota continues to rise, meaning you need to make yourself competent to achieve favorable results. Suffice to say, pursuing a nursing career in Minnesota is a worthwhile venture if your passion lies in helping people and making a difference in the healthcare system.
Employment for registered nurses (RNs) in the state is already high compared to other states, but it’s also projected to increase by 7% from 2020 to 2030, growing from 71,780 to 76,540 positions. If being a nurse has always been your goal or you’re considering a career change, Minnesota is one of the best states to do it with its high-quality patient care, reputable medical facilities, competitive salaries, and a strong job market.
Below are some of the best nursing schools in Minnesota to consider:
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities is the best nursing school in Minnesota if you’re looking for a school that can provide you with a really strong foundation you can use in a wide range of nursing specialties. Its student success rate is pretty impressive: 92% of BSN students graduate as per schedule and the first-time pass rate (as of 2021) is 89%.
With such success, it’s not surprising that it also happens to be one of the largest schools in the country. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of Minnesota is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The school admits freshmen taking BSN directly into the School of Nursing on the Twin Cities campus, while transfer students continue their nursing degree on the University of Minnesota Rochester campus.
If you’re after the university’s Master of Nursing (MN) program, which takes 16 months or four consecutive semesters, there are five out of nine prerequisites that need completion, plus a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.7 are also standard requirements to get into the program. In addition to BSN and MN, the university also offers PhD in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs.
This school has been providing a really comprehensive nursing instruction for about 80 years. With that, you’ll find the school and its faculty reliable in teaching technical skills and experience you’ll need to be successful in your chosen career.
Whether you are planning on working in a hospital or a community agency, you won’t lack the necessary knowledge and skills to stand out in your job. First-year students interested in taking the school’s Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) program are required to have a 3.0 prerequisite and cumulative GPA or higher and a proficient TEAS test outcome.
All of St. Catherine’s nursing programs, from baccalaureate to master’s, and doctor of nursing practice are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC).
More than nursing knowledge and skills, The College of Saint Scholastica takes pride in educating nurses that value respect and compassion. Its nursing programs employ hands-on learning equipped with exceptional educators and simulation laboratories, those aspiring to be nurses will flourish skills and heart-wise in this school.
There are three admission pathways offered when applying for the traditional nursing program: high school students are qualified for Direct Entry, new transfer students can apply via the Transfer Direct Entry, and students in their final semester of prerequisite courses need to apply through the Standard Application process. Those applying via Direct and Transfer Direct Entry are required to have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. As of this writing, the tuition and fees for full-time students is $55,400, which covers full-time tuition, housing and meals, and other fees (tuition fee per credit is $1,320).
The school’s baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
St. Cloud State University also offers some of the best nursing programs in the state, beginning with its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The program, which requires students to be on campus full-time, delivers proficient clinical experience as part of its student-centered curriculum.
The school also offers an RN to BSN program for registered nurses who are planning to elevate their careers with a BSN degree. St. Cloud’s RN to BSN program, which you can finish in one year, is also one of the cheapest in the state, with students spending less than $10,000.
St. Cloud State University also supports veterans, active duty members, and their dependents. Every semester, the school serves over 300 veteran or active duty students. It is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
St. Olaf College School of Nursing is a great choice for students who like a more slow-paced lifestyle. It’s also one of your best options if you want to study in an institution that has a good retention rate.
Also, its student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1. Additionally, 40.3% of its classes have fewer than 20 students, ensuring that you’re given the right attention and dedication when it comes to the quality of education you’re receiving.
After graduating from its BSN program, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how concepts from different disciplines can be applied to the care of your patients. You’ll also have this deeper level of thinking about life and how different the patient care populations are.
For an entry into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, St. Olaf offers two types of admission: Direct and Regular. Direct Admission allows first-year students to apply directly from. Regular Admission, meanwhile, is dedicated for St. Olaf students who want to apply to the nursing program. Applications are welcome during the fall semester of their sophomore year. Both admission types require students to meet the required cumulative and prerequisite GPA.
St. Olaf College’s nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Concordia College nurtures future nurses with comprehensive education and training, preparing students with essential knowledge and experience to thrive in healthcare. Its 94% Nursing Pass Rate is a testament to the school’s excellence. There are two nursing programs offered at Concordia College: the Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program and the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program.
The traditional BSN program, like other bachelor’s degree programs, takes four years to complete. The Accelerated BSN program, which is designed for those who already completed a non-nursing degree, only takes 12 months to finish.
One of the admission requirements to apply for the traditional BSN program is a 2.8 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 selective GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for all pre-requisite courses. For interested Accelerated BSN applicants, you will need to submit official transcripts prior schools attended (with US regional accreditations), two professional references, a resume, and a personal statement.
Concordia College’s BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
St. Paul’s University of Northwestern has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, an appealing element if you’re looking for a school that can provide you with the utmost attention. When applying for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you can choose between the Traditional Path and the Accelerated Path.
Some of the requirements for a traditional BSN program are a TEAS score of 65% or higher and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale. For flexibility, classes at the University of Northwestern combine online and face-to-face.
The university prepares students to excel in the professional world of healthcare by providing flexible learning, innovative simulations and hands-on clinical training, and dedicated support from its School of Nursing faculty and staff.
Northwestern’s nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Gustavus Adolphus College School of Nursing is known for having one of the best graduation rates in the country. And nurses who got their degree from this school enjoy good compensation in the first five years of their career.
This school of nursing pays close attention to both rural and urban public health. It offers summer internships in local and even global settings. With that, this school is a great choice if you want to have the experience that will set you apart from the rest.
While the school only offers one nursing program – a traditional BSN – the outcome is often incredible. Its nursing program boasts 100% placement of its students before or within six months of graduation, plus a 94% pass rate on the 2024 NCLEX-RN. With impressive milestones in recent years, Gustavus is now one of the best nursing schools in Minnesota.
The nursing program here is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Bethel University Minnesota is located near entertainment centers and shops. This means that even though going through nursing school isn’t easy, you’ll have places where you can unwind. That’s just one of the reasons why going to this school to get your nursing degree can be advantageous.
Moreover, Bethel University’s School of Nursing has a program designed to teach you how to provide competent care, use your critical thinking skills, and communicate effectively through verbal and nonverbal means. It will also hone you to possess commitment and leadership which you need to succeed as a nurse. The school’s nursing education is also founded on Christian values and state-of-the-art facilities to boot.
If you’re a first-year student looking to apply, you need to fill out your online application, submit your high school transcript, and send your standardized test score (SAT or ACT and CLT). You also need a GPA of 3.0 (unweighted) and Test scores of 21 composite on the ACT or 920 on the SAT.
Bethel University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Conclusion
The first step to bringing your dream of being a nurse to life is choosing the best nursing school. If you’re from Minnesota or starting anew in the state, it has plenty of universities and colleges with exceptional nursing programs. You only need to consider your location, budget, educational preferences and expectations, schedule, as well as your career plans in order to determine the best nursing school for you. Good luck!
