2023 Best Nursing 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.
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.
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Top Nursing Schools in Minnesota
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota to be the best school for nursing students in Minnesota. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a small private not-for-profit school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 1,704 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from SMU MN accumulate an average of $36,638 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from SMU MN, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,226 during the early years of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend College of Saint Benedict. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. College of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit school located in Saint Joseph, Minnesota that handed out 407 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from CSB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,995 during the early years of their career.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Bemidji State University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. Located in Bemidji, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 1,147 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Bemidji State University accumulate an average of $21,067 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.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.
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. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Saint Peter, Minnesota that handed out 682 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus accumulate an average of $24,078 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 $379. During the early years of their career, Gustavus Adolphus graduates make an average of $38,133 annually.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Rasmussen University - Minnesota. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a small private for-profit school situated in St. Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 2,068 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,566 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $168, 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.
Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Southwest Minnesota State University is a medium-sized public school located in Marshall, Minnesota that handed out 642 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $21,445 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.
Capella University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the large private for-profit school awarded 14,847 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $59,264 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Capella University graduates make an average of $61,758 annually.
St Olaf College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. St Olaf College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Northfield, Minnesota that handed out 969 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from St. Olaf, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,897 during the early years of their career.
Augsburg University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking. Augsburg is a private not-for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 892 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Augsburg accumulate an average of $36,228 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Augsburg graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,712 during the early year of their career.
The College of Saint Scholastica did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #10 on the list. St. Scholastica is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 1,464 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from St. Scholastica accumulate an average of $38,974 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 $240.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.
Winona State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,834 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,056 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $232 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Winona State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,424 during the early year of their career.
Northwest Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list. Bemidji, Minnesota is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 203 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from NTC accumulate an average of $14,947 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, NTC graduates make an average of $51,103 annually.
Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. MSU Moorhead is a public institution located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,487 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,807 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, MSU Moorhead graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,896 during the early year of their career.
Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,728 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,957 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $180 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. 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.
Concordia College at Moorhead ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. Concordia College Moorhead is located in Moorhead, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 469 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $25,140 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Concordia College Moorhead graduates make an average of $34,477 annually.
With a ranking of #17, Bethel University Minnesota did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,174 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota accumulate an average of $37,271 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $526, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Bethel University Minnesota graduates make an average of $51,291 annually.
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. Alexandria Technical & Community College is a small public school located in Alexandria, Minnesota that handed out 662 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,436 in student loans. During the early years of their career, ATCC graduates make an average of $40,141 annually.
Anoka Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #19 on the list. Anoka Technical College is a small public school situated in Anoka, Minnesota. It awarded 985 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Anoka Technical College accumulate an average of $16,129 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Anoka Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,893 during the early year of their career.
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 13,676 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UMN Twin Cities accumulate an average of $36,206 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $320, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UMN Twin Cities, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,445 during the early years of their career.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large public school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 2,406 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from St. Cloud State University accumulate an average of $23,313 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $172 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, St. Cloud State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,870 during the early year of their career.
Northland Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 810 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,408 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Northland Community and Technical College graduates make an average of $41,428 annually.
St Catherine University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list. St Catherine University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 1,399 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $37,715 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $312. During the early years of their career, St. Kate’s graduates make an average of $53,926 annually.
Rochester Community and Technical College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Rochester, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 929 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Rochester Community and Technical College accumulate an average of $17,278 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. 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.
Dakota County Technical College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. Dakota County Technical College is a small public school located in Rosemount, Minnesota that handed out 863 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $13,189 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, DCTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,125 during the early year of their career.
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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