2026 Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in Minnesota? This list ranks 95 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Nursing Degree Search evaluated 76 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Degree Schools in Minnesota
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in Minnesota. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Winona, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,081. Get the full Saint Marys University Of Minnesota report
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A rank of #2 makes College Of Saint Benedict one of the top choices in Minnesota. College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Joseph, MN. College Of Saint Benedict graduates 77% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,756. Students borrow a median of $26,619 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on College Of Saint Benedict
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The strong Nursing programs at Bemidji State University earned it the #3 place in Minnesota. Based in Bemidji, MN, Bemidji State University is a public institution. Bemidji State University graduates 46% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Students borrow a median of $25,819 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Bemidji State University
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Out of the 76 schools in Minnesota in this year's ranking, Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #4 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Peter, MN. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,076. Gustavus Adolphus College Nursing students take on a median of $26,197 in debt. Get the full Gustavus Adolphus College report
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The strong Nursing programs at Rasmussen College Minnesota earned it the #5 place in Minnesota. This private for-profit school is set in St. Cloud, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $12,199. Typical Nursing student debt is $28,723. Read the full report on Rasmussen College Minnesota
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Southwest Minnesota State University placed #6 among Nursing schools in Minnesota. Located in Marshall, MN, Southwest Minnesota State University is a public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. The median Nursing program debt is $27,016. Read more about Southwest Minnesota State University
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Capella University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Minneapolis, MN, Capella University is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. The median Nursing program debt is $35,998. Read the full report on Capella University
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St Olaf College landed the #8 spot in Minnesota this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Northfield, MN. St Olaf College posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $59,760. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about St Olaf College
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Augsburg College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Augsburg College is a private not-for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. Augsburg College graduates 52% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,452. The median Nursing program debt is $26,319. More on Augsburg College
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The College Of Saint Scholastica placed #10 among Nursing schools in Minnesota. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a private not-for-profit school based in Duluth, MN. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,778. The median Nursing program debt is $26,755. Read more about The College Of Saint Scholastica
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Winona State University placed #11 among Nursing schools in Minnesota. Located in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Winona State University profile
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Northwest Technical College landed the #12 spot in Minnesota this year. Located in Bemidji, MN, Northwest Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,254. Northwest Technical College Nursing students take on a median of $31,053 in debt. See the full Northwest Technical College profile
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Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Based in Moorhead, MN, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public institution. Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates 57% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Minnesota State University Moorhead Nursing students take on a median of $24,447 in debt. See the full Minnesota State University Moorhead profile
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Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Mankato, MN. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. See the full Minnesota State University Mankato profile
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Concordia College At Moorhead came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in Moorhead, MN, Concordia College At Moorhead is a private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,170. Concordia College At Moorhead Nursing students take on a median of $26,637 in debt. Get the full Concordia College At Moorhead report
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Walden University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Walden University is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,067. The median Nursing program debt is $49,361. See the full Walden University profile
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Bethel University Minnesota did well this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Bethel University Minnesota posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Get the full Bethel University Minnesota report
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Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #18 spot in Minnesota this year. This public school is set in Alexandria, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. The median Nursing program debt is $14,054. Read the full report on Alexandria Technical And Community College
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Anoka Technical College placed #19 among Nursing schools in Minnesota. Located in Anoka, MN, Anoka Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,267 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $18,408. More on Anoka Technical College
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University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #20 spot in Minnesota this year. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
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Saint Cloud State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Saint Cloud, MN. About 39% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,076. Read more about Saint Cloud State University
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Northland Community And Technical College landed the #22 spot in Minnesota this year. Set in Thief River Falls, MN, Northland Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,289. Typical Nursing student debt is $18,550. See the full Northland Community And Technical College profile
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St Catherine University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Saint Paul, MN, St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Graduates carry a median of $29,883 in student loans. See the full St Catherine University profile
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Rochester Community And Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Rochester Community And Technical College is a public school based in Rochester, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,389. Rochester Community And Technical College Nursing students take on a median of $20,291 in debt. Read more about Rochester Community And Technical College
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Dakota County Technical College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Rosemount, MN, Dakota County Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,679. Graduates carry a median of $13,474 in student loans. Read the full report on Dakota County Technical College
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These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #26 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. About 45% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,600. The median Nursing program debt is $29,026. See the full Concordia University Saint Paul profile
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Century College placed #27 among Nursing schools in Minnesota. Located in White Bear Lake, MN, Century College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. The median Nursing program debt is $21,332. More on Century College
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Inver Hills Community College did well this year, earning the #28 position. Set in Inver Grove Heights, MN, Inver Hills Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,146. Students borrow a median of $20,160 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Inver Hills Community College
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Minnesota West Community And Technical College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Granite Falls, MN, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. The median Nursing program debt is $13,946. Get the full Minnesota West Community And Technical College report
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Northwestern College Minnesota came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Northwestern College Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,920. Students borrow a median of $23,505 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Northwestern College Minnesota report
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Anoka Ramsey Community College did well this year, earning the #31 position. Anoka Ramsey Community College is a public school based in Coon Rapids, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,682. Typical Nursing student debt is $22,593. More on Anoka Ramsey Community College
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St Cloud Technical And Community College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Saint Cloud, MN, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124. Graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Get the full St Cloud Technical And Community College report
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Hennepin Technical College landed the #33 spot in Minnesota this year. Hennepin Technical College is a public school based in Brooklyn Park, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,940. The median Nursing program debt is $17,887. Get the full Hennepin Technical College report
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Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College did well this year, earning the #34 position. Located in Saint Paul, MN, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College Nursing students take on a median of $17,650 in debt. See the full Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College profile
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Minnesota State College Southeast Technical placed #35 among Nursing schools in Minnesota. Located in Winona, MN, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,432. The median Nursing program debt is $22,522. See the full Minnesota State College Southeast Technical profile
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Ridgewater College placed #36 among Nursing schools in Minnesota. Set in Willmar, MN, Ridgewater College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. The median Nursing program debt is $15,556. Read more about Ridgewater College
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Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College placed #37 among Nursing schools in Minnesota. Set in Hibbing, MN, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,022. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College Nursing students take on a median of $17,029 in debt. More on Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College
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Metropolitan State University did well this year, earning the #38 position. This public school is set in Saint Paul, MN. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Students borrow a median of $30,822 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Metropolitan State University profile
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South Central College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. South Central College is a public school based in North Mankato, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. South Central College Nursing students take on a median of $13,139 in debt. See the full South Central College profile
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North Hennepin Community College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. North Hennepin Community College is a public school based in Brooklyn Park, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,061. North Hennepin Community College Nursing students take on a median of $21,241 in debt. Read more about North Hennepin Community College
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Minnesota State Community And Technical College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Fergus Falls, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Typical Nursing student debt is $18,197. Read the full report on Minnesota State Community And Technical College
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Central Lakes College Brainerd ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a public school based in Brainerd, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,249. Central Lakes College Brainerd Nursing students take on a median of $14,479 in debt. Get the full Central Lakes College Brainerd report
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Lake Superior College did well this year, earning the #43 position. This public school is set in Duluth, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785. Graduates carry a median of $17,156 in student loans. More on Lake Superior College
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Pine Technical College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Located in Pine City, MN, Pine Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,738. Pine Technical College Nursing students take on a median of $22,454 in debt. Get the full Pine Technical College report
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Minneapolis Community And Technical College placed #45 among Nursing schools in Minnesota. Set in Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,161. Students borrow a median of $24,036 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Minneapolis Community And Technical College
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Normandale Community College landed the #46 spot in Minnesota this year. Normandale Community College is a public school based in Bloomington, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,329. Typical Nursing student debt is $20,162. Read more about Normandale Community College
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Crown College did well this year, earning the #47 position. Set in Saint Bonifacius, MN, Crown College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,410. Crown College Nursing students take on a median of $29,537 in debt. Read more about Crown College
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Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Cloquet, MN, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $21,773 in student loans. More on Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College
Request InformationMinnesota State Colleges And Universities System Office did well this year, earning the #49 position. More on Minnesota State Colleges And Universities System Office
Request InformationBethany Lutheran College landed the #50 spot in Minnesota this year. Get the full Bethany Lutheran College report
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 76 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 95 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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