Cheapest Registered Nursing Colleges in Minnesota

University of Minnesota-Morris delivers nursing education at just $9,110 net cost, making it the cheapest option among Minnesota's nursing programs by a significant margin. The $16,030 gap between Morris and the second most affordable option at Saint Cloud State reflects how strategic campus selection can dramatically impact educational costs. Minnesota nursing graduates enter a market anchored by Mayo Clinic and UnitedHealth Group, where registered nurses earn between $60,623 and $97,071 annually depending on specialization and experience level. Saint Mary's University graduates command the highest salaries at $97,071, though students pay $21,034 net cost for that premium. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with seven of the ten cheapest programs offered through the Minnesota State system. The Minnesota State Grant provides additional support for low-income students, further reducing costs at public institutions. Regional healthcare demand remains strong across Minneapolis-Saint Paul and Rochester, where Mayo Clinic's expansion continues creating opportunities for nursing administration and clinical research roles.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Minnesota-Morris so much cheaper than other nursing programs?

Morris charges just $9,110 net cost compared to $14,485 at the next cheapest option, Saint Cloud State University. The campus operates as a public liberal arts college with lower overhead costs and receives substantial state funding. Morris maintains a 77.66% acceptance rate while delivering a 61.90% graduation rate, indicating accessible admission standards with solid completion outcomes.

How do earnings compare between the most and least expensive programs?

Saint Mary's University graduates earn $97,071 annually despite the program costing $21,034 net, while University of Minnesota-Morris costs only $9,110 but lacks reported earnings data. Southwest Minnesota State University offers the best value proposition with $61,020 graduate earnings at just $14,760 net cost. The $36,448 earnings difference between highest and lowest paying programs shows significant variation in career outcomes.

Is financial aid substantial enough to make private programs competitive?

Private programs show mixed results despite financial aid packages. Herzing University-Minneapolis drops from $13,420 sticker price to $15,205 net cost, actually increasing total expenses after aid calculations. Concordia University-Saint Paul reduces costs from $25,000 to $17,566 net, but still exceeds most public options. Private institutions typically offer merit aid rather than need-based grants that make public schools more affordable.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Minnesota nursing education?

Higher-cost programs generally show better completion rates, though exceptions exist. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities achieves 84.80% graduation rate at $17,139 net cost, while Herzing University-Minneapolis reaches 73.50% at $15,205. However, affordable Southwest Minnesota State University maintains only 44.10% graduation rate despite reasonable $14,760 costs. Capella University presents an outlier with 33.30% graduation rate despite moderate pricing.

Where do Minnesota nursing graduates typically find employment after graduation?

Mayo Clinic in Rochester serves as Minnesota's largest healthcare employer, recruiting nurses for clinical, research, and administrative positions across its expanding network. UnitedHealth Group headquarters in Minneapolis creates opportunities in healthcare administration and nursing informatics roles. Twin Cities metropolitan area hospitals, including University of Minnesota Medical Center and Regions Hospital, actively hire new graduates for bedside nursing and specialized units.

More Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Rankings

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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.