Minnesota is a strong state for nursing education and employment. The Twin Cities metro anchors a healthcare economy centered on major academic medical systems — Mayo Clinic, M Health Fairview, Allina Health, and Hennepin Healthcare among them — while regional and rural health systems across Greater Minnesota create steady demand for generalist RNs and advanced practice nurses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a mean annual RN wage of $92,540 in Minnesota (2023), well above the national average, reflecting the state’s competitive healthcare labor market.
Minnesota joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in 2018. A Minnesota RN license is a multistate compact license, valid for practice in 40+ NLC member states without obtaining separate state licenses. This is a meaningful practical benefit for travel nurses, nurses who live near state borders, or nurses who may relocate within the compact.
Minnesota’s nursing school landscape runs the full range — from community college ADN programs designed for local workforce development to research-intensive BSN, MSN, and DNP programs at major universities.
Admission requirements
Minnesota nursing programs share a common prerequisite framework. Specific requirements vary by program level and institution, but the following reflects the standard across ADN and BSN programs in the state.
Standard prerequisites:
| Course | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Anatomy & Physiology I & II | With lab; grade of C or better (B preferred) |
| Microbiology | With lab |
| Chemistry | Introductory or general chemistry with lab |
| English Composition | Writing-intensive; C or better |
| Psychology | General or lifespan developmental psychology |
| Statistics | Required by most BSN programs |
| Nutrition | Required by several programs |
Most Minnesota programs require science prerequisites completed within the past 5–7 years.
Entrance exams: The ATI TEAS is the most widely used entrance exam across Minnesota nursing programs. Some programs accept the HESI A2. Competitive scores at community college ADN programs typically start at the 60th percentile; competitive BSN programs generally look for 75th percentile and above. For a full breakdown of which programs use which test, see ATI TEAS vs. HESI: which exam does your school require?
GPA: Minimum GPA requirements across Minnesota programs typically run 2.75–3.0 cumulative. For competitive BSN programs at the University of Minnesota or St. Catherine University, science GPA of 3.2 or higher is common among admitted students. If your GPA falls below the threshold for your target program, see our guide on nursing schools that accept lower GPAs.
Application timeline: Minnesota programs typically accept applications once or twice per year, with fall entry as the primary intake. Community college programs often use competitive point-based selection due to high demand. Apply early and keep your prerequisite record current.
Top nursing schools in Minnesota
| School | Location | Program types | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota School of Nursing | Minneapolis | BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD | CCNE |
| St. Catherine University | St. Paul | BSN, MSN, DNP | CCNE |
| Winona State University | Winona / Rochester | BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN | CCNE |
| College of St. Scholastica | Duluth | BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP | CCNE |
| Minnesota State University Mankato | Mankato | BSN, RN-to-BSN | ACEN |
| Metropolitan State University | St. Paul / Minneapolis | BSN, RN-to-BSN | ACEN |
| Rasmussen University | Multiple MN campuses | ADN, BSN | ACEN |
University of Minnesota School of Nursing – Minneapolis The U of M’s School of Nursing is Minnesota’s flagship research nursing school, CCNE-accredited, and offers one of the most comprehensive program ladders in the state: BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD tracks. The school is affiliated with M Health Fairview and University of Minnesota Medical Center, giving students access to high-acuity clinical environments in the Twin Cities. Graduate programs are particularly strong in nursing informatics, family nurse practitioner, and nursing leadership specialties.
St. Catherine University – St. Paul St. Kate’s is among the most recognized nursing schools in Minnesota, with a CCNE-accredited BSN, MSN, and DNP. The nursing program has a strong clinical training reputation and consistent NCLEX pass rates. The school’s location in St. Paul provides clinical access to Allina Health, HealthEast, and regional specialty centers.
Winona State University – Winona and Rochester WSU’s CCNE-accredited nursing program operates from both its main Winona campus and a Rochester site — situated near Mayo Clinic, one of the world’s most prominent medical centers. The Rochester presence gives BSN and graduate students proximity to complex clinical environments not available at most regional universities.
College of St. Scholastica – Duluth CSS offers CCNE-accredited nursing programs from BSN through DNP, with a focus on rural and community health. Duluth’s position as a regional healthcare hub in northeastern Minnesota gives students exposure to health systems serving both urban and rural populations.
Minnesota State University Mankato – Mankato MSU Mankato’s ACEN-accredited BSN program serves south-central Minnesota’s healthcare workforce needs. The program integrates clinical simulation and has established relationships with regional hospitals and health systems in the Mankato area.
NCLEX pass rates in Minnesota
The Minnesota Board of Nursing (MNBON) monitors NCLEX-RN first-attempt pass rates for all approved programs. Minnesota-educated nursing graduates generally track near or above the national average of approximately 87% (2023 data, NCSBN).
First-attempt pass rates are the most reliable public quality indicator for nursing programs. When evaluating Minnesota schools, look at NCLEX pass rate data across at least three years rather than a single cohort — year-to-year variation is normal, but sustained underperformance is a meaningful signal. For school-level pass rate comparisons, see NCLEX pass rates by nursing school.
Licensing in Minnesota
State board: Minnesota Board of Nursing (MNBON) Website: mn.gov/boards/nursing
To become a licensed RN in Minnesota:
- Graduate from a MNBON-approved nursing program
- Apply to the MNBON and pay the licensure application fee
- Complete a criminal background check through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
- Register for and pass the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE
- Receive your Minnesota RN license
Application fees are approximately $105 for a new license by examination. Processing times vary; the MNBON publishes current processing estimates on its website.
NLC compact status: Minnesota joined the Nursing Licensure Compact in 2018. A Minnesota RN license is a multistate compact license, valid in all current NLC member states (40+ as of 2026) without requiring separate licensure. To hold a Minnesota multistate license, Minnesota must be your primary state of residence. If you later move your primary residence to another compact state, you surrender the Minnesota license and apply through the new state’s board.
For complete state-by-state licensing information, see nursing license by state.
Salary and job outlook
BLS data places the mean annual RN wage in Minnesota at $92,540 (2023). The Twin Cities metro runs higher — experienced RNs in specialty roles at Mayo Clinic, M Health Fairview, or Allina Health commonly earn $95,000–$115,000. Entry-level positions in Greater Minnesota, particularly at critical access hospitals, typically start in the $65,000–$75,000 range.
Major healthcare employers in Minnesota:
- Mayo Clinic – Rochester-based world-renowned academic medical center; employs thousands of RNs across inpatient and specialty care
- M Health Fairview – The University of Minnesota’s academic health system, operating across the Twin Cities metro
- Allina Health – Large nonprofit health system with hospitals and clinics across Minnesota and western Wisconsin
- Hennepin Healthcare – Minneapolis safety-net hospital with a Level I trauma center and major teaching program
- CentraCare – Dominant health system in central Minnesota, operating multiple hospitals and specialty clinics
Minnesota’s nursing shortage, particularly in rural communities and long-term care, is consistent with national trends. Critical access hospitals throughout Greater Minnesota actively recruit new graduates and offer loan forgiveness incentives for nurses willing to practice in underserved areas. BLS projects 6% growth in RN employment nationally through 2032; Minnesota’s growth is expected to pace or exceed that figure.
How to choose a nursing school in Minnesota
Accreditation first. Only consider ACEN- or CCNE-accredited programs. Both are nationally recognized; either is sufficient for NCLEX eligibility, graduate program admission, and employer recognition. Accreditation status should be confirmed directly with the program before applying.
NCLEX pass rates. Request the program’s published first-attempt NCLEX-RN pass rate across three or more years. Programs consistently above 85% are solid performers. Programs below 80% on a sustained basis warrant serious scrutiny — the NCLEX tests clinical knowledge and judgment, and program preparation is the most direct predictor of outcomes.
Clinical placement quality. Programs in the Twin Cities metro and Rochester have structural advantages in clinical placement access. If you’re studying in Greater Minnesota, ask specifically about the clinical sites the program uses and whether they include acute care settings beyond the immediate region.
Cost vs. outcomes. Community college ADN programs are significantly less expensive than private university BSN programs — often $10,000–$25,000 total versus $60,000–$100,000+ at private institutions. If cost is a constraint, an ADN from an ACEN-accredited program followed by an online RN-to-BSN is a proven pathway.
If your GPA makes competitive BSN programs difficult, see nursing schools that accept lower GPAs for alternative pathways. For a full decision framework, see how to choose a nursing school.
Sources and references
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Registered Nurses, Minnesota (2023)
- Minnesota Board of Nursing (MNBON): mn.gov/boards/nursing
- NCSBN Nurse Licensure Compact: ncsbn.org/nursing-regulation/nurse-licensure-compact
- NCSBN NCLEX pass rate data (2023)
- CCNE accreditation database: ccneaccreditation.org
- ACEN accreditation directory: acenursing.org