2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota
It's not easy to decide which nursing program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. Our analysis looked at 23 schools in Minnesota to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school us, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Rasmussen University - Minnesota the best school in Minnesota for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $13,558. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,551 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Minnesota. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Northwest Technical College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Minnesota.
NTC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,380. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $32,265 in loans while pursuing their degree.
NTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Rochester Community and Technical College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,372 to cover tuition and fees at Rochester Community and Technical College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $22,180 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Rochester Community and Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Inver Hills Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list.
If you want to attend IHCC, expect to pay an average of $5,809 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,611 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at IHCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Anoka-Ramsey Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree.
If you want to attend Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus, expect to pay an average of $5,515 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,645 in student loans.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking.
Students from Minnesota who attend Minnesota West full time pay an average of $6,286 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,936. On average, associate degree students take out $17,016 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Minnesota West does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #7, Ridgewater College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,914 to cover tuition and fees at Ridgewater College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,453 in student loans.
Ridgewater College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 60% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Alexandria Technical & Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list.
ATCC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,910. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $15,116 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ATCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #9, South Central College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,966 to cover tuition and fees at South Central College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $19,738 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that South Central College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 79% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #10, Hibbing Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $5,773 in tuition and fees if they attend Hibbing Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,071. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,202 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Hibbing Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 44% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Century College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,907 to cover tuition and fees at Century College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,559 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Century College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
North Hennepin Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $4,882 to cover tuition and fees at North Hennepin Community College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College accumulate an average of $24,520 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at North Hennepin Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Hennepin Technical College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list.
Hennepin Technical College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,741. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $22,067 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Hennepin Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #14, St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,874 to cover tuition and fees at St Cloud Technical and Community College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, associate degree students take out $20,104 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at St Cloud Technical and Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 75% took at least some of their classes online.
Northland Community and Technical College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $6,052 to cover tuition and fees at Northland Community and Technical College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Northland Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $20,969 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Northland Community and Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Central Lakes College - Brainerd came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking.
Central Lakes College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $5,954. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Central Lakes College accumulate an average of $17,231 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Central Lakes College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 32% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,862 to cover tuition and fees at M State. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,514 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at M State. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Lake Superior College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,616 to cover tuition and fees at LSC. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from LSC accumulate an average of $23,773 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
LSC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Normandale Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list.
The average tuition and fees at Normandale Community College is $5,789. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Normandale Community College accumulate an average of $20,674 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Normandale Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 92% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking.
The average tuition and fees at Minneapolis Community and Technical College is $5,906. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,611 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Minneapolis Community and Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Saint Paul College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list.
Saint Paul College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $6,041. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $23,862 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Saint Paul College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #22, Pine Technical & Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Pine Technical & Community College is $4,489. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,526. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,290 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Pine Technical & Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 22% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list.
If you want to attend Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, expect to pay an average of $5,815 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College accumulate an average of $23,197 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 16% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Read full report on Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 23 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.