Best Nursing Schools in Minneapolis: Rankings, Tuition & Programs for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
February 10, 2026
Compare 15+ Minneapolis nursing programs from $5,050/year at community colleges to Mayo Clinic's elite graduate programs. UMN, Metro State, and Mankato lead public options with strong NCLEX pass rates.
Why Study Nursing in Minneapolis?
The Twin Cities metro is one of the strongest healthcare markets in the Midwest. Major health systems including M Health Fairview (10 hospitals, 30% inpatient market share), Allina Health (12 hospitals, 33,000 employees), HealthPartners, Hennepin Healthcare, and North Memorial Health all compete for nursing talent. Mayo Clinic, headquartered just 80 miles south in Rochester, is the world's top-ranked hospital and draws from the same nursing pipeline.
Registered nurses in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro earn between $83,942 and $113,267 annually, with a median around $91,726 — roughly 4% above the national average. The combination of strong salaries, a deep bench of clinical sites, and Minnesota's well-funded higher education system makes this metro an excellent place to launch a nursing career.
University BSN Programs
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (Minneapolis)
The University of Minnesota School of Nursing is the state's flagship program and a nationally ranked research institution. BSN graduates earn a median of $69,354/year in their early career, while DNP graduates reach $117,039. In-state tuition is $16,488/year ($36,402 out-of-state). Clinical rotations span M Health Fairview's hospital network, giving students exposure to everything from Level I trauma to rural primary care.
Metropolitan State University (Saint Paul)
Metro State offers one of the best values in Twin Cities nursing education. At just $9,780/year tuition, BSN graduates earn $82,901 — the highest early-career BSN earnings among public universities in the metro. The school also offers MSN ($69,642 median earnings) and DNP ($100,485) programs. Metro State's urban campus and evening/weekend scheduling make it a strong choice for working adults.
Minnesota State University-Mankato
Mankato's nursing program is CCNE-accredited and feeds graduates into both the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota healthcare markets. In-state tuition is $9,490/year ($18,860 out-of-state), and BSN graduates earn $68,770. The MSN program produces graduates earning $102,706 — competitive with much more expensive private programs.
Winona State University (Winona)
Winona State offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs at $10,498/year in-state. DNP graduates earn $111,705, and the Rochester campus location provides clinical access to Mayo Clinic Health System facilities. MSN graduates earn $108,093 — among the highest in the Minnesota State system.
Private University Programs
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (Rochester)
Mayo Clinic's nursing programs are in a class of their own. At just $3,257/year tuition, graduates earn extraordinary salaries: MSN at $169,481 and DNP at $189,790 — the highest nursing earnings in the state. Admission is highly competitive, but the clinical training at the world's number-one hospital is unmatched.
Augsburg University (Minneapolis)
Augsburg's BSN graduates earn $74,567/year, with DNP graduates reaching $124,788. Tuition is $43,942, but the university's location in the heart of Minneapolis provides clinical placements at Hennepin Healthcare, Abbott Northwestern, and other major facilities.
St. Catherine University (Saint Paul)
St. Kate's is Minnesota's largest private nursing educator, offering programs from associate's through doctoral level. BSN graduates earn $72,138, and DNP graduates reach $110,870. Tuition is $49,758, though the university offers substantial institutional aid.
Bethel University (Saint Paul)
Bethel's BSN graduates earn $70,318, with MSN graduates at $97,047. Tuition is $42,930. The university has a strong reputation for clinical preparation and consistently solid NCLEX performance.
Concordia University-Saint Paul
Concordia offers a BSN program at $25,000/year tuition — significantly below other private universities. BSN graduates earn $73,235, making it one of the better value propositions among private nursing programs in the metro.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (Winona)
Saint Mary's MSN graduates earn an impressive $200,367 — the highest MSN earnings in the state. BSN graduates earn $92,831 at $43,160 tuition.
Community College ADN Programs
Community colleges offer the most affordable entry point into nursing, with Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs that qualify graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
| School | City | Tuition | ADN Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester Community & Technical College | Rochester | $6,359/yr | $65,628 |
| North Hennepin Community College | Brooklyn Park | $5,050/yr | $63,931 |
| Minnesota State College Southeast | Winona | $7,820/yr | $63,667 |
| Normandale Community College | Bloomington | $6,321/yr | $62,435 |
| Minneapolis Community & Technical College | Minneapolis | $6,128/yr | $61,993 |
North Hennepin Community College stands out with the lowest tuition ($5,050/year) and strong ADN earnings of $63,931. Rochester Community & Technical College has the highest ADN earnings ($65,628) and benefits from its proximity to Mayo Clinic for clinical placements.
Minneapolis Community & Technical College reports an 86% NCLEX pass rate, with a program completion rate that has improved in recent years.
NCLEX Pass Rates
Minnesota nursing programs have shown steady improvement in NCLEX pass rates. Key benchmarks:
- National first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate: 69.1% (2025)
- Minnesota BSN programs average: approximately 90-95%
- Top Minnesota performers reach 95-100%
The statewide average consistently exceeds the national average, reflecting the quality of clinical education across both public and private programs.
Comparison Table: Minneapolis Nursing Programs at a Glance
| School | Type | Tuition (In-State) | BSN Earnings | Top Credential Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic | Private | $3,257 | — | $189,790 (DNP) |
| UMN-Twin Cities | Public | $16,488 | $69,354 | $117,039 (DNP) |
| Metro State | Public | $9,780 | $82,901 | $100,485 (DNP) |
| Mankato | Public | $9,490 | $68,770 | $102,706 (MSN) |
| Winona State | Public | $10,498 | $68,563 | $111,705 (DNP) |
| Augsburg | Private | $43,942 | $74,567 | $124,788 (DNP) |
| St. Catherine | Private | $49,758 | $72,138 | $110,870 (DNP) |
| Bethel | Private | $42,930 | $70,318 | $97,047 (MSN) |
| Concordia-SP | Private | $25,000 | $73,235 | — |
Financial Aid
Minnesota State Grant
The Minnesota State Grant covers students at all public and eligible private institutions. Average awards range from $1,415 at two-year colleges to $6,439 at the University of Minnesota. Students must file the FAFSA and be enrolled at least part-time. A new limit of eight full-time semesters applies starting 2025-2026.
Federal Aid
- Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year, which covers full tuition at most community colleges
- Federal Direct Loans — subsidized and unsubsidized options
- NURSE Corps Scholarship — covers tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend for students at accredited nursing schools who commit to working in underserved communities
Employer Tuition Programs
Major health systems like Allina Health, Fairview, and HealthPartners offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing nursing degrees, typically $3,000-$5,250 per year.
Next Steps
Compare Minneapolis-area nursing programs on GradeToGrad. Filter by tuition, earnings, and program type to find your best fit.
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