2024 Best Value Colleges for Nursing in Minnesota
44
Ranked Colleges
14,890
Degrees Awarded
$14,100
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota” ranking.
In 2020-2021, 322,592 nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $70,916 and had an average of $25,426 in loans still to pay off.
Across Minnesota, there were 14,890 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,232 and $31,893 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota” ranking analyzed 44 colleges that offered a degree in nursing. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality nursing programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the nursing program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Nursing in Minnesota
Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s ranking, Capella University landed the #1 spot on the list. Capella University is a large private for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 4,027 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
Capella University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” list. The yearly cost to attend Capella University is $16,545 for minnesota nursing students.
Full Capella University Nursing Report
Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s ranking, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Rochester, Minnesota, and it awarded 45 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our minnesota nursing students list, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” ranking.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Nursing at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine
Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s ranking, Walden University landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 5,207 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
Walden University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” list.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Nursing at Walden University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Winona State University. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. Winona State University is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 275 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $17,634 for Minnesota Nursing students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Nursing at Winona State
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota. Minnesota State Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 284 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our minnesota nursing students list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” ranking. It costs about $17,159 for Minnesota Nursing students per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Nursing Report
Rochester Community and Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. Rochester Community and Technical College is a small school located in Rochester, Minnesota that handed out 111 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
Rochester Community and Technical College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” list. The estimated yearly cost for Rochester Community and Technical College is $15,149 for minnesota nursing students.
Read more about Nursing at Rochester Community and Technical College
Rasmussen University - Minnesota did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking, coming in at #7. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a small private for-profit school situated in St. Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 789 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota also made our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Rasmussen University - Minnesota is $19,075 for Minnesota Nursing students.
Full Rasmussen University - Minnesota Nursing Report
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 414 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $17,878 for Minnesota Nursing students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UMN Twin Cities Nursing Report
Century College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking. Century College is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 108 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our minnesota nursing students list, Century College has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Century College is $10,397 for minnesota nursing students.
Read full report on Nursing at Century College
With a ranking of #10, Anoka-Ramsey Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. Anoka-Ramsey Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. It awarded 151 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus also took the #21 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” ranking. It costs about $11,719 for minnesota nursing students per year to attend Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus.
Full Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus Nursing Report
With a ranking of #11, Inver Hills Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. IHCC is a public institution located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 89 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
IHCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” list. The yearly cost to attend IHCC is $11,570 for minnesota nursing students.
Full IHCC Nursing Report
Metropolitan State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking, coming in at #12. Metro State is a public institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 202 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our minnesota nursing students list, Metro State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Metropolitan State University is $16,044 for Minnesota Nursing students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Nursing at Metro State
With a ranking of #13, Ridgewater College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. Willmar, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 93 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ridgewater College, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ridgewater College is $11,436 for minnesota nursing students.
Read full report on Nursing at Ridgewater College
North Hennepin Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. North Hennepin Community College is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 72 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for North Hennepin Community College is $10,081 for Minnesota Nursing students.
Read more about Nursing at North Hennepin Community College
Saint Cloud State University landed the #15 spot on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 106 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
St. Cloud State University also took the #17 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $14,581 for Minnesota Nursing students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Nursing at St. Cloud State University
Northland Community and Technical College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. Northland Community and Technical College is a small public school situated in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. It awarded 65 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Northland Community and Technical College is $11,586 for Minnesota Nursing students.
Read more about Nursing at Northland Community and Technical College
Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking, coming in at #17. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a public institution located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 80 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
MSU Moorhead also made our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for MSU Moorhead is $17,680 for Minnesota Nursing students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Nursing at MSU Moorhead
With a ranking of #18, Minnesota State Community and Technical College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. Located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 76 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $11,244 for minnesota nursing students per year to attend M State.
Full M State Nursing Report
With a ranking of #19, Lake Superior College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. LSC is a small public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 112 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend LSC is $14,801 for Minnesota Nursing students.
Full LSC Nursing Report
With a ranking of #20, Central Lakes College - Brainerd did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. Located in Brainerd, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 75 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,429 for Minnesota Nursing students per year to attend Central Lakes College - Brainerd.
Full Central Lakes College Nursing Report
Northwest Technical College landed the #21 spot on the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking. Northwest Technical College is a small public school situated in Bemidji, Minnesota. It awarded 77 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Technical College is $11,638 for minnesota nursing students.
Full NTC Nursing Report
Minnesota West Community and Technical College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking. Minnesota West Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Granite Falls, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 45 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Minnesota West Community and Technical College is $11,439 for minnesota nursing students.
Read full report on Nursing at Minnesota West Community and Technical College
South Central College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking, coming in at #23. South Central College is a public institution located in North Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,358 for Minnesota Nursing students per year to attend South Central College.
Read full report on Nursing at South Central College
Alexandria Technical & Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota ranking. Alexandria, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend ATCC is $13,636 for minnesota nursing students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Alexandria Technical & Community College Nursing Report
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Minnesota list. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 83 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SMU MN, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota” ranking. It costs about $21,101 for Minnesota Nursing students per year to attend Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Nursing at SMU MN
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