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2027 Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota

48 Colleges in the United States
20,765 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$76,987 Avg Early-Career Salary

Nursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 48 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best nursing schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Nursing in Minnesota

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing education in Minnesota.

Top Schools in Nursing

1

Leading the list is University Of St Thomas Minnesota, our #1 school for nursing. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $65,183 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923. Read more about the nursing program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #2. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 363 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $87,395 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3
Saint Johns University crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, MN

Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at Saint Johns University, which ranked #3. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Collegeville. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Saint Johns University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Saint Johns University earn around $47,238 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Johns University graduates carry a median of $26,646 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Saint Johns University

4
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

A rank of #4 makes Capella University one of the top schools for nursing. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. There were roughly 10,589 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Capella University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Capella University earn around $107,183 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,826 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Capella University

5

A rank of #5 makes Winona State University one of the top schools for nursing. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Winona State University awarded about 288 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Winona State University earn around $101,220 in the first couple years of their career. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $26,252 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Winona State University

6

Minnesota State University Mankato placed #6 among the best nursing schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 451 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $90,983. Typical student debt for the program is $25,257. Read more about the nursing program at Minnesota State University Mankato

7

Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #7 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 393 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Saint Paul in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Concordia University Saint Paul earn around $73,235 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $36,940. More information about a degree in nursing from Concordia University Saint Paul

8

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota placed #8 among the best nursing schools. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota awarded about 32 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $156,340. Students borrow a median of $40,188 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

9

The College Of Saint Scholastica placed #9 among the best nursing schools. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Duluth. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 285 nursing students who graduated with this degree at The College Of Saint Scholastica in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from The College Of Saint Scholastica earn around $94,855 in the first couple years of their career. The College Of Saint Scholastica graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at The College Of Saint Scholastica

10

Rochester Community And Technical College placed #10 among the best nursing schools. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. There were roughly 126 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $70,020. Rochester Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Rochester Community And Technical College

11

Rasmussen College Minnesota came in at #11 for nursing this year. This large private for-profit university is located in the city of St. Cloud. Rasmussen College Minnesota awarded about 379 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $77,596 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $34,866 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Rasmussen College Minnesota

12
Mayo Medical School crest
Mayo Medical School
Rochester, MN

Mayo Medical School came in at #12 for nursing this year. Mayo Medical School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Mayo Medical School awarded about 39 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Mayo Medical School earn around $127,726 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. See the full nursing program report for Mayo Medical School

13
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Walden University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Walden University awarded about 5,273 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Walden University generally make around $107,541. Walden University graduates carry a median of $32,800 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Walden University

14

Saint Cloud State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. About 80 nursing degrees were awarded at Saint Cloud State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $74,111. Saint Cloud State University graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Saint Cloud State University

15
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 53 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Augsburg College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $104,795 in their early career. Augsburg College graduates carry a median of $23,441 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Augsburg College

16

Bethel University Minnesota ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 100 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $80,805 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Bethel University Minnesota

17

Concordia College At Moorhead placed #17 among the best nursing schools. Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 34 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Concordia College At Moorhead in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Concordia College At Moorhead earn around $73,174 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Concordia College At Moorhead

18
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine University landed the #18 spot for nursing this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. St Catherine University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 214 nursing students who graduated with this degree at St Catherine University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from St Catherine University earn around $89,336 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $32,610 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from St Catherine University

19

Bemidji State University landed the #19 spot for nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Bemidji. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 133 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bemidji State University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $77,639 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,990 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Bemidji State University

20
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College landed the #20 spot for nursing this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 nursing students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $76,078 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for St Olaf College

21
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College placed #21 among the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. There were roughly 136 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Century College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $66,512 in their early career. Century College graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Century College

22
College Of Saint Benedict crest
College Of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN

College Of Saint Benedict came in at #22 for nursing this year. College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Joseph. College Of Saint Benedict graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 66 nursing students who graduated with this degree at College Of Saint Benedict in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from College Of Saint Benedict generally make around $75,656. College Of Saint Benedict graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from College Of Saint Benedict

23

Northwestern College Minnesota placed #23 among the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 nursing degrees were awarded at Northwestern College Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northwestern College Minnesota generally make around $75,121. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. See the full nursing program report for Northwestern College Minnesota

24

Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #24 for nursing this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 117 nursing degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Moorhead in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $85,972. Typical student debt for the program is $30,359. Read more about the nursing program at Minnesota State University Moorhead

25
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Willmar. There were roughly 71 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Ridgewater College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $59,082. Ridgewater College graduates carry a median of $23,062 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Ridgewater College

Rest of the Top 48 Nursing Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Inver Hills Community College crest
Inver Hills Community College
Inver Grove Heights, MN
38
39
40
South Central College crest
South Central College
North Mankato, MN
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48

View All Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 48 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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