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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota

48 Schools Ranked
$45,529 Average Earnings
$25,712 Avg Student Debt

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.

The Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 48 schools in Minnesota to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in Minnesota

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

$56,065 Average Earnings
$29,703 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota to be the best school for nursing students in Minnesota.

Degree recipients from SMU MN accumulate an average of $29,703 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, SMU MN graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,065 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

#2

College of Saint Benedict

Saint Joseph, Minnesota
$40,995 Average Earnings

Out of the 48 schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Saint Benedict landed the # 2 spot on the list.

After graduating from CSB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,995 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on College of Saint Benedict

#3

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota
$43,896 Average Earnings
$25,667 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Bemidji State University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Minnesota.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,667 in student loans.After graduating from Bemidji State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,896 during the early years of their career.

Full Bemidji State University Report

#4

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, Minnesota
$38,133 Average Earnings
$24,571 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 48 schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s ranking, Gustavus Adolphus College landed the # 4 spot on the list.

On average, students take out $24,571 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Gustavus Adolphus, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,133 during the early years of their career.

Full Gustavus Adolphus College Report

#5

Rasmussen University - Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota
$41,281 Average Earnings
$30,701 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rasmussen University - Minnesota. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota list.

On average, students take out $30,701 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $127, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Rasmussen University - Minnesota, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,281 during the early years of their career.

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$40,918 Average Earnings
$25,598 Avg Student Debt

Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $25,598 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,918 during the early year of their career.

Full Southwest Minnesota State University Report

#7

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
$61,758 Average Earnings
$36,349 Avg Student Debt

Capella University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,349 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Capella University graduates make an average of $61,758 annually.

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#8

St Olaf College

Northfield, Minnesota
$34,897 Average Earnings

St Olaf College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking.

During the early years of their career, St. Olaf graduates make an average of $34,897 annually.

Full St Olaf College Report

#9

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
$50,712 Average Earnings
$26,790 Avg Student Debt

Augsburg University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #9 on the list.

On average, students take out $26,790 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Augsburg graduates make an average of $50,712 annually.

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#10

The College of Saint Scholastica

Duluth, Minnesota
$48,635 Average Earnings
$30,536 Avg Student Debt

The College of Saint Scholastica ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota list.

On average, students take out $30,536 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $314 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from St. Scholastica, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,635 during the early years of their career.

Full The College of Saint Scholastica Report

#11

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
$44,424 Average Earnings
$26,110 Avg Student Debt

Winona State University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,110 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $176, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Winona State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,424 during the early years of their career.

Full Winona State University Report

#12

Northwest Technical College

Bemidji, Minnesota
$51,103 Average Earnings
$23,786 Avg Student Debt

Northwest Technical College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking.

On average, students take out $23,786 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, NTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,103 during the early year of their career.

Full Northwest Technical College Report

$40,896 Average Earnings
$25,798 Avg Student Debt

Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list.

On average, students take out $25,798 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from MSU Moorhead, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,896 during the early years of their career.

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$46,060 Average Earnings
$24,437 Avg Student Debt

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list.

Degree recipients from Minnesota State Mankato accumulate an average of $24,437 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $133. Once they receive their degree, Minnesota State Mankato graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,060 during the early year of their career.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Report

#15

Concordia College at Moorhead

Moorhead, Minnesota
$34,477 Average Earnings
$22,901 Avg Student Debt

Concordia College at Moorhead did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list.

Degree recipients from Concordia College Moorhead accumulate an average of $22,901 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Concordia College Moorhead graduates make an average of $34,477 annually.

Read full report on Concordia College at Moorhead

#17

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
$51,291 Average Earnings
$31,006 Avg Student Debt

Bethel University Minnesota landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,006 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $356. Once they receive their degree, Bethel University Minnesota graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,291 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Bethel University Minnesota

$40,141 Average Earnings
$15,948 Avg Student Debt

Alexandria Technical & Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,948 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, ATCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,141 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Alexandria Technical & Community College

#19

Anoka Technical College

Anoka, Minnesota
$39,893 Average Earnings
$21,588 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #19, Anoka Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $21,588 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Anoka Technical College graduates make an average of $39,893 annually.

Read full report on Anoka Technical College

#20

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
$50,445 Average Earnings
$21,399 Avg Student Debt

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking.

Degree recipients from UMN Twin Cities accumulate an average of $21,399 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $257, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UMN Twin Cities graduates make an average of $50,445 annually.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Report

#21

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
$45,870 Average Earnings
$25,873 Avg Student Debt

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list.

Degree recipients from St. Cloud State University accumulate an average of $25,873 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, St. Cloud State University graduates make an average of $45,870 annually.

Full Saint Cloud State University Report

#22

Northland Community and Technical College

Thief River Falls, Minnesota
$41,428 Average Earnings
$19,224 Avg Student Debt

Northland Community and Technical College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,224 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Northland Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,428 during the early year of their career.

Full Northland Community and Technical College Report

#23

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
$53,926 Average Earnings
$32,729 Avg Student Debt

St Catherine University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,729 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $266, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from St. Kate’s, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,926 during the early years of their career.

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$41,604 Average Earnings
$22,298 Avg Student Debt

Rochester Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #24 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,298 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Rochester Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,604 during the early year of their career.

Full Rochester Community and Technical College Report

#25

Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, Minnesota
$46,125 Average Earnings
$18,397 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #25, Dakota County Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,397 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, DCTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,125 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Dakota County Technical College

Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 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.

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