Best Value Registered Nursing Colleges in Minnesota

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota nursing graduates command the state's highest starting salaries at $97,071, nearly $36,000 more than Southwest Minnesota State graduates earn. This earnings gap reflects the complexity of Minnesota's nursing education market, where net costs range from $14,485 at Saint Cloud State to $23,949 at Saint Scholastica. Public universities dominate the affordability rankings, with seven of the ten lowest-cost programs coming from state institutions. Mayo Clinic's Rochester headquarters and UnitedHealth's Minneapolis operations create strong demand for nurses with advanced training in administration and clinical research. Saint Cloud State offers the best combination of low cost and reasonable outcomes, charging just $14,485 annually while graduates earn $66,377. The state's nursing programs show wide variation in completion rates, from 33.3% at Capella University to 84.8% at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Minnesota State Grants can reduce costs further for qualifying students, making public options even more attractive for future nurses planning careers in the state's major health systems.

Programs

$9,110 – $28,439

Net Price Range

$67,126

Avg. Program Earnings

62.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

26 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, Minnesota	$21,034	$97,071	$43,160	67.7%	96.8%
2	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, Minnesota	$14,485	$66,377	$10,117	46.9%	95.3%
3	Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, Minnesota	$14,760	$61,020	$10,304	44.1%	91.6%
4	Capella University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$18,305	$73,684	$14,436	33.3%
5	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181	$76,998	$9,780	38.4%	81.7%
6	Herzing University-Minneapolis St. Louis Park, Minnesota	$15,205	$60,799	$13,420	73.5%	94.3%
7	Rasmussen University-Minnesota St. Cloud, Minnesota	$19,071	$73,870	$10,899	53.2%
8	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$65,723	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
9	Bemidji State University Bemidji, Minnesota	$17,050	$62,654	$10,164	53.4%	77.5%
10	Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$17,816	$64,865	$10,336	54.6%	56.6%
11	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$67,079	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
12	Winona State University Winona, Minnesota	$18,148	$65,101	$10,498	60.9%	73.8%
13	St Catherine University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,563	$68,029	$49,758	65.1%	92.5%
14	Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,875	$67,660	$43,942	52.4%	76.5%
15	The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, Minnesota	$23,949	$66,536	$40,454	63.0%	96.6%
16	St Olaf College Northfield, Minnesota	$22,752	$60,623	$56,970	83.5%	56.4%
17	University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$25,140	$60,771	$36,830	68.4%	92.5%
18	Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$25,651	$61,941	$30,020	71.8%	65.5%
19	Bethel University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$28,439	$66,964	$42,930	75.2%	72.5%
20	Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, Minnesota	$26,895	$63,005	$54,310	75.9%	73.9%
21	Crown College Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota	$27,324	$63,005	$30,200	64.3%	66.6%
22	College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, Minnesota	$28,065	$63,005	$53,884	83.0%	87.8%
23	Saint Johns University Collegeville, Minnesota	$27,018		$53,942	75.7%	86.2%
24	Concordia University-Saint Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$17,566		$25,000	58.8%	69.1%
25	Bethany Lutheran College Mankato, Minnesota	$17,680		$30,010	59.6%	58.5%
26	University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, Minnesota	$9,110		$14,288	61.9%	77.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $36,000 salary gap between Minnesota nursing programs?

Saint Mary's University graduates earn $97,071 compared to $61,020 at Southwest Minnesota State, reflecting differences in program focus and employer networks. Private institutions often have stronger connections to high-paying health systems like Mayo Clinic. Geographic factors also matter, as Twin Cities and Rochester-area hospitals typically offer higher compensation than rural facilities. The higher net cost at Saint Mary's ($21,034) may reflect additional training that commands premium salaries.

How do Minnesota's public nursing programs compare on value?

Saint Cloud State leads public options with a $14,485 net cost and $66,377 graduate earnings, creating strong return on investment. Bemidji State and Minnesota State Moorhead offer similar value propositions around $17,000 annually. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities charges slightly more at $17,139 but delivers the highest graduation rate at 84.8%. All public programs significantly undercut private alternatives while maintaining respectable earning potential.

Is Capella University worth considering despite its low graduation rate?

Capella's 33.3% graduation rate raises concerns, but graduates who complete the program earn $73,684 annually. The $18,305 net cost falls between public and traditional private options. Students should carefully evaluate their ability to succeed in Capella's online format before enrollment. The relatively low debt load of $11,206 suggests manageable financial risk for those who graduate successfully.

Does attending a private nursing school guarantee higher earnings?

Not necessarily. While Saint Mary's delivers the highest salaries at $97,071, other private schools like Herzing University produce graduates earning just $60,799. Saint Catherine University charges $21,563 annually but graduates earn only $68,029, less than Metropolitan State graduates who pay similar amounts. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, a public institution, graduates nurses earning $65,723 with much lower debt levels.

Where should students focus their applications for the best nursing program value?

Saint Cloud State offers the strongest combination of affordability and outcomes at $14,485 with $66,377 graduate earnings. Students seeking higher earning potential should consider Saint Mary's University despite its $21,034 cost. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities provides excellent graduation rates at 84.8% with moderate costs. Avoid programs with completion rates below 50% unless you have specific reasons for confidence in that format.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.