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Best Value Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Minnesota

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2023 Best Value Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Minnesota

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

18 Schools Ranked
$6,864 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$18,128 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. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

The Best Value Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Minnesota ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 18 schools in Minnesota to see which undergraduate certificate programs offered the best value experiences for nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Minnesota

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Pine Technical & Community College

Pine City, Minnesota
53 Total Awards
$8,526 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Pine Technical & Community College the best value school in Minnesota for nursing students working on their undergraduate certificate. Pine City, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 53 students in 2020-2021.

Pine Technical & Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,526 in tuition and fees each year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,068 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 22% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Pine Technical & Community College

#2

Northland Community and Technical College

Thief River Falls, Minnesota
110 Total Awards
$6,052 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 18 schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s value ranking, Northland Community and Technical College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Thief River Falls, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 110 students in 2020-2021.

Northland Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,052 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,734 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Northland Community and Technical College. 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.

Northland Community and Technical College also made our Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Minnesota list, coming in at #2.

Read full report on Northland Community and Technical College

67 Total Awards
$5,910 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Alexandria Technical & Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Minnesota. ATCC is a small public school situated in Alexandria, Minnesota. It awarded 67 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ATCC are $5,910 per year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,612 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ATCC does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.

ATCC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Minnesota list.

Full Alexandria Technical & Community College Report

#4

Hennepin Technical College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
55 Total Awards
$5,741 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Hennepin Technical College is a great place for nursing students working on their undergraduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Hennepin Technical College is a public institution located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 55 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Hennepin Technical College are $5,741 per year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,758 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Hennepin Technical College. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

77 Total Awards
$5,874 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend St Cloud Technical and Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Minnesota list. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 77 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at St Cloud Technical and Community College are $5,874 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,211 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Online courses are available at St Cloud Technical and 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 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

St Cloud Technical and Community College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Minnesota list.

Read full report on St Cloud Technical and Community College

23 Total Awards
$5,372 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Rochester Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Rochester, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 23 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Rochester Community and Technical College are $5,372 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $22,595 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Rochester Community and Technical College 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Rochester Community and Technical College Report

#7

Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, Minnesota
46 Total Awards
$6,208 Average Tuition & Fees

Dakota County Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. This small public school is located in Rosemount, Minnesota, and it awarded 46 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

DCTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,208 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,790 in student loans.

Online courses are available at DCTC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, DCTC is ranked #4 for overall quality in Minnesota.

Read More…

#7

Anoka Technical College

Anoka, Minnesota
42 Total Awards
$6,075 Average Tuition & Fees

Anoka Technical College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Minnesota list. Anoka Technical College is a public institution located in Anoka, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 42 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Anoka Technical College are $6,075 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $17,931 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Anoka Technical College 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. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Anoka Technical College

#9

Lake Superior College

Duluth, Minnesota
21 Total Awards
$5,616 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #9, Lake Superior College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their undergraduate certificate. LSC is a small public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 21 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

LSC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,616 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,488 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that LSC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Lake Superior College Report

#10

Ridgewater College

Willmar, Minnesota
35 Total Awards
$5,914 Average Tuition & Fees

Ridgewater College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Minnesota list. Ridgewater College is a public institution located in Willmar, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 35 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ridgewater College are $5,914 a year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,133 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Ridgewater College 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 60% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Ridgewater College

#11

Saint Paul College

Saint Paul, Minnesota
67 Total Awards
$6,041 Average Tuition & Fees

Saint Paul College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #11 on the list. Saint Paul College is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 67 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Saint Paul College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,041 in tuition and fees each year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,089 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Saint Paul 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.

Full Saint Paul College Report

54 Total Awards
$5,862 Average Tuition & Fees

Minnesota State Community and Technical College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Minnesota list. M State is a public institution located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 54 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at M State are $5,862 a year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,935 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at M State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Minnesota State Community and Technical College Report

#13

Minnesota State College Southeast

Winona, Minnesota
44 Total Awards
$6,562 Average Tuition & Fees

Minnesota State College Southeast came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Minnesota ranking. This small public school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 44 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

MSC Southeast undergraduate students pay an average of $6,562 in tuition and fees each year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $18,002 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MSC Southeast. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Minnesota State College Southeast Report

#14

South Central College

North Mankato, Minnesota
17 Total Awards
$5,966 Average Tuition & Fees

South Central College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Minnesota ranking. Located in North Mankato, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at South Central College are $5,966 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,365 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at South Central College. In 2019-2020 about 79% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full South Central College Report

#15

Northwest Technical College

Bemidji, Minnesota
9 Total Awards
$6,380 Average Tuition & Fees

Northwest Technical College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate nursing programs. Bemidji, Minnesota is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 9 students in 2020-2021.

NTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,380 in tuition and fees each year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $20,959 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at NTC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Northwest Technical College

43 Total Awards
$11,936 Average Tuition & Fees

Minnesota West Community and Technical College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Minnesota list. Minnesota West is located in Granite Falls, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 43 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Minnesota West undergraduate students pay an average of $11,936 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,091 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Minnesota West. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Minnesota West Community and Technical College

#17

Central Lakes College - Brainerd

Brainerd, Minnesota
21 Total Awards
$5,954 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Lakes College - Brainerd landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate nursing programs. Central Lakes College is located in Brainerd, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Central Lakes College are $5,954 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $15,176 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Central Lakes College. In fact, around 32% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Central Lakes College - Brainerd

#18

Rasmussen University - Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota
103 Total Awards
$13,558 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #18, Rasmussen University - Minnesota did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the small private for-profit school handed out 103 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Rasmussen University - Minnesota are $13,558 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $20,381 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rasmussen University - Minnesota. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Rasmussen University - Minnesota not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Minnesota list.

Full Rasmussen University - Minnesota Report

Best Value Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 18 schools only.

References

  • 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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