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2025 Best Online Nursing Programs in Minnesota

By OnlineU Writers • Updated 9/25/2024

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Online nursing degrees have gained popularity due to their flexibility and convenience, enabling aspiring nurses to complete their education while fulfilling other commitments. We've compiled a list of the best online nursing degree programs available in Minnesota for 2024. For inclusion on our list, the colleges are based on the following criteria:

  • The nursing school has a primary location in Minnesota.
  • The school offers an online bachelor's nursing degree or an RN to BSN program.
  • for 2023, sourced from government reports, must be publicly available for the baccalaureate level.
  • The majority, if not all, of the coursework should be delivered online, though many top online programs may still require some in-person clinical hours, internships, or practicums.

Want an online degree that's:

  • Affordable
  • Popular
  • Highly Rated
  • Military-friendly

We've got them. Let's get started.

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2025 Best Online Nursing Programs in Minnesota

Tuition numbers were manually collected and verified where noted
School NCLEX Pass Rate Online Enrollment
Bemidji State University 100.0% 1,443
Bethel University - MN 100.0% 837
Saint Cloud State University 94.52% 1,587
Winona State University 89.09% 873
St. Catherine University 87.72% 1,043
The College of Saint Scholastica 82.83% 945
Minnesota State University at Mankato 82.41% 2,379
Minnesota State University - Moorhead 77.27% 1,293

Online Nursing Bachelor's Degrees You May Be Interested In


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Becoming a Nurse in Minnesota

You have several options for becoming a nurse in Minnesota. The Minnesota Board of Nursing handles license applications for all types of nurses in the North Star State, while the Department of Health regulates certified nurse assistants (CNAs). Each type of nurse has different education and testing requirements, from licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs) to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

Minnesota belongs to the , which allows nurses in one Compact state to earn multistate licenses to practice in other states. Most nurses also have the option to earn licensure by examination — which involves passing a version of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) — or licensure by endorsement, which means they're already licensed in another state.

Like most parts of the country, Minnesota faces a lack of qualified nurses. At the time of writing, the Minnesota Nurses Association is helping state lawmakers to aimed at improving working conditions. But healthcare employers will likely be short-staffed even if these efforts succeed. This might lead to a better labor market for job seekers but also extra workplace stress for nurses who do find jobs.

To learn about online nursing programs and requirements in other states, explore our list of accredited nursing degrees by state below:

Nursing Degrees by State

How To Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Minnesota

Each future CNA in Minnesota needs to complete a state-approved of their knowledge and skills. Passing the test will earn a CNA a place on the Minnesota .

To stay on the registry, nurses must have performed at least eight hours of CNA work for pay in the past two years. In addition, nursing assistants in Minnesota must fill out the nursing assistant registry update form and mail it to the Minnesota Department of Health before their two-year period expires.

How To Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Minnesota

Minnesota candidates must complete an approved LPN training program and submit a Confirmation of Program Completion form with their application. They must also submit to a background check. The board will then give permission to take the NCLEX-PN exam. 

requires applicants to submit proof of their license in another state. These candidates undergo the same background check as examination applicants.

LPNs renew their licenses every two years. They must complete 12 hours of continuing education in that period to qualify.

How To Get a Registered Nursing License in Minnesota

Minnesota requires that RNs graduate from either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Applicants also undergo a criminal background check that requires fingerprinting. Finally, candidates for licensure by examination must pass the NCLEX-RN to receive their licenses. Endorsement applicants must submit verification of their existing licenses to the nursing board.

As with LPNs, RNs renew their licenses every two years. They need to finish 24 hours of continuing education credits before they can renew.

How To Get an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse License in Minnesota

Minnesota nurses can pursue an APRN license in four specialties: 

  • Certified nurse practitioner (CNP)
  • Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
  • Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
  • Clinical nurse specialist (CNS) 

Applicants must already hold an RN license in Minnesota. They also need to graduate from an accredited Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program and earn a nursing certification in their chosen specialty. Finally, candidates submit to a criminal background check.

APRNs must renew their APRN and RN licenses at the same time every two years. This calls for 24 hours of continuing education during that time.

APRN hopefuls can check out our resource pages as they weigh education and career options: How To Become a Nurse Anesthetist, Guide to Online Nurse Practitioner Degrees, and 2023 Best Online Nurse Practitioner Degree Programs.

Student Reviews of Online Nursing Programs

Penelope, Graduated 2022

Attended: Nevada State College

I'm currently in the RN-BSN program, and it isn't very good. It seems like many online professors have not been close to the bedside in over 10+ years because the assignments they assign have little application to actual bedside nursing or any nursing field, for that matter. . The whole program feels infantilizing. It shines a light on why the nursing profession is not taken seriously in medical communities. The whole nursing program is based on Jean Watson's theory of caring, and a lot of the theory... Read More

Review Date: 5/30/2021

Attended: Nevada State College

Overall Rating: 1.5/5

Experience Rating: 2/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Penelope, Graduated 2022

jinglebells, Graduated 2019

Attended: Olivet Nazarene University

Tabaka is so controlling. Same thing with Brooke Piper (just became MSN coordinator). They are running the ABSN program at Oakbrook to make money for the school and do not care about the students. Run from this school as they have no religious believes. They are trying to rob students of their money

Review Date: 12/17/2019

Attended: Olivet Nazarene University

Overall Rating: 2/5

Instruction Rating: 2/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

jinglebells, Graduated 2019

Leslie, Graduated 2019

Attended: Capella University

I had a great experience from beginning to end. The recruiter, coach, tutors, and professors were awesome. The staff was encouraging and supportive the whole way through. I had searched many universities prior to choosing Capella and was so glad I chose well. I am 56 years old and had graduated with a nursing diploma in 1985. What a journey and am so proud of my accomplishment.

Review Date: 5/27/2019

Attended: Capella University

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Leslie, Graduated 2019

Maury Belino, Graduated 2016

The University of Texas at Arlington's College of Nursing has a profound background in nursing. All instructors have a rich background of knowledge and years in education. The program is exclusively online and could be accessed at anytime. The assignments are reasonable and the knowledge earned could readily be utilized on the field. Discussion with your peers through a forum called blackboard enforces the weekly assignments assigned. The program could easily be completed while maintaining employment... Read More

Review Date: 9/13/2016

Overall Rating: 4/5

Instruction Rating: 4/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Maury Belino, Graduated 2016

Kim Rush, Graduated 2013

Attended: Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

No matter what school you attend, you have to advocate for yourself.

Review Date: 7/24/2014

Attended: Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Overall Rating: 4/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 4/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

Kim Rush, Graduated 2013

Nia Edwards, Graduated 2013

Attended: Chamberlain University

Earning your Bachelor degree online at Chamberlain College of Nursing is very possible. The classes will fit within your schedule. Your first posting is not due until Wednesday giving you plenty of time. The other posts are due by Saturday and papers are due the following Sunday. You should have no problem being successful in this program while working. You can choose between taking one or two courses at a time. Two was very doable for me. Since I did two courses at a time, I finished in only 10... Read More

Review Date: 8/21/2014

Attended: Chamberlain University

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Nia Edwards, Graduated 2013

Class of 2022, Graduated 2022

Attended: Unitek College

If you don’t have experience in nursing or recent experience as a student do not go to Unitek College. You must be very clever and flexible in order to make it through to the end. The administration is checked out. The instructors do not know what’s going on and they do not care. Many last minute changes because there were no systems in place. They don’t care about your education. This endeavor is all on you. They is more but I will not say it or a whole empire will crumble.

Review Date: 12/7/2023

Attended: Unitek College

Overall Rating: 2.5/5

Experience Rating: 3/5

Instruction Rating: 2/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Class of 2022, Graduated 2022

Run Away from Chamberlain, Graduated 2022

Attended: Chamberlain University

Stay away from Chamberlain. There are better schools than this. It's a student mill. They just want your money. They received my loan and grant money and then asked me to amend my taxes. The student advisor aka financial aid advisor asked for an amended tax form after my accountant stated the taxes were filed correctly and they received the money for the loan and the grant. Then the student advisor aka financial aid advisor asked me for court papers and a letter from my husband who has been incarcerated.... Read More

Review Date: 3/3/2020

Attended: Chamberlain University

Overall Rating: 1/5

Experience Rating: 1/5

Instruction Rating: 3/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Run Away from Chamberlain, Graduated 2022

Nursing School, Graduated 2017

Attended: Chamberlain University

Good morning to all. I just want to try and clear up some of the confusion. I promise I am a student and not some robot that some people get the impression of. I have been attending the Jacksonville Florida campus since the beginning of 2015 and will be transferring to the Phoenix campus shortly. Overall, I have had a wonderful experience. Sure, the classes are tough and sometimes hectic but that is the point of Nursing school. It has never been easy and never will be. Many of the complaints I have... Read More

Review Date: 9/3/2016

Attended: Chamberlain University

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Nursing School, Graduated 2017

Allyson, Graduated 2023

Attended: Galen College of Nursing

This school is insanely unorganized and unprofessional. God forbid you ever have an administration issue, it’s like they haven’t worked a day in their lives. You call the school, either no one answers or they send you to 10 different people. Ridiculous.

Review Date: 6/24/2022

Attended: Galen College of Nursing

Overall Rating: 3/5

Experience Rating: 3/5

Instruction Rating: 2/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Allyson, Graduated 2023

Anonymous, Graduated 2022

Attended: Radford University

Radford University school of nursing is the most disorganized program I have ever seen. The nursing professors are genuinely some of the rudest people I have ever met in my life. This semester almost a quarter of our nursing students are on probation for tiny things. They try to run the students down and discourage them. I would not reccomend this program. The professors here are extremely rude, and never have any idea what is going on. They are slacking on teaching, and half of them dont even bother... Read More

Review Date: 10/26/2021

Attended: Radford University

Overall Rating: 1/5

Experience Rating: 3/5

Instruction Rating: 1/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: No

Anonymous, Graduated 2022

Sarah Elert, Graduated 2017

Attended: Herzing University

I enjoyed the program that I attended for several different reasons; the size of the classrooms was the biggest factor for me. I have found through attending several universities in the past that I do not do well with a large class size. Herzing was the opposite of that. Each class size was small and personal and it allowed me the chance to interact with my professors without any embarrassment of asking a "dumb question." I felt compelled to learn and enhance my education to my absolute fullest while... Read More

Review Date: 9/22/2017

Attended: Herzing University

Overall Rating: 4/5

Experience Rating: 4/5

Instruction Rating: 4/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Sarah Elert, Graduated 2017

Pa Yeng Lee, Graduated 2015

Attended: St. Catherine University

The RN-BSN program at the St. Paul campus of St. Catherine University was a wonderful program that improved upon my knowledge from the ASN program. I had one professor for the entire program who was attentive and helpful. The program allowed flexibility for those working full-time and enrolled in the program full-time. We were a hybrid class meeting on-campus once a week and completing online work inbetween. I would highly recommend this program for anyone looking to complete a RN-BSN program.

Review Date: 3/11/2017

Attended: St. Catherine University

Overall Rating: 4/5

Experience Rating: 0/5

Instruction Rating: 4/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Pa Yeng Lee, Graduated 2015

Megan Melanson, Graduated 2015

Attended: The University of Tampa

The University of Tampa's Nursing Program was absolutely phenomenal. The instructors work with you if you're struggling and really encourage your success. Being a student with Crohn's Disease and being told by other schools I was not good enough, it was refreshing to be accepted to this wonderful and rigorous program allowing me to achieve my dream of becoming a Nurse. I highly encourage other students to apply to this school.

Review Date: 2/6/2017

Attended: The University of Tampa

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Experience Rating: 0/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Megan Melanson, Graduated 2015

Anonymous, Graduated 2015

Attended: Touro University Nevada

The instructors were knowledgeable and helpful. I was disappointed to find that we are the only nursing school that does not have a preceptorship.

Review Date: 10/13/2015

Attended: Touro University Nevada

Overall Rating: 4/5

Experience Rating: 4/5

Instruction Rating: 4/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: Yes

Anonymous, Graduated 2015

Josh, Graduated 2014

Attended: Mercer University

Great college and great nursing program. Difficult, but definitely doable. There are so many clinical opportunities available in the Atlanta area. The professors are always there for you and want you to succeed. The school has a great reputation around the area and all of the hospitals in Atlanta (and surrounding areas) recognize the students as hard-working and well-rounded

Review Date: 3/27/2017

Attended: Mercer University

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 0/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Josh, Graduated 2014

ALISON HUNT, Graduated 2014

Attended: Georgetown University

Pros: good name follows you on your resume, educated and well-trained professors Cons: transportation to and from school is terrible

Review Date: 6/13/2013

Attended: Georgetown University

Overall Rating: 3/5

Experience Rating: 2.5/5

Instruction Rating: 4/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: No

ALISON HUNT, Graduated 2014

Anonymous, Graduated 2014

Attended: Clarke University

Small class sizes were very nice, every teacher knew our names.

Review Date: 7/22/2016

Attended: Clarke University

Overall Rating: 2/5

Experience Rating: 3/5

Instruction Rating: 2/5

Would Recommend: No

Helpful for Career: Yes

Anonymous, Graduated 2014

Anonymous, Graduated 2011

Attended: University of South Florida Online

I loved my college, so much stuff to do and cutting edge academics. Great people everyone is nice. The gym is so cool

Review Date: 10/13/2015

Attended: University of South Florida Online

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Anonymous, Graduated 2011

Kim Richau, Graduated 1990

Attended: University of Florida

The BSN program at the University of Florida is top notch. The school is associated with Shands Hospital which is a large tertiary health center for the state of Florida. Every area of health is represented in your academics and hands-on training. You will experience a variety of normal and abnormal case studies and learn from the best instructors!

Review Date: 7/24/2019

Attended: University of Florida

Overall Rating: 5/5

Experience Rating: 5/5

Instruction Rating: 5/5

Would Recommend: Yes

Helpful for Career: Yes

Kim Richau, Graduated 1990

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