2026 Best Nursing Schools in Minnesota

1

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

No school ranked higher than University Of St Thomas Minnesota this year for nursing. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent 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. See the full nursing program report for University Of St Thomas Minnesota

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the top schools for nursing. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 356 nursing degrees in the most recent data 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

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Winona State University awarded about 287 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $101,220 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,252 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Winona State University

4

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at Capella University, which ranked #4. This very large private for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 8,953 nursing degrees were awarded at Capella University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $107,183 in their early career. Capella University graduates carry a median of $27,826 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Capella University

5

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at Minnesota State University Mankato, which ranked #5. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 401 nursing degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $90,983 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,257 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Minnesota State University Mankato

6

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Winona, MN

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota awarded about 20 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $156,340 early in their careers. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates carry a median of $40,188 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

7

The College Of Saint Scholastica
Duluth, MN

The College Of Saint Scholastica came in at #7 for nursing this year. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Duluth. The College Of Saint Scholastica graduates 70% of students within six years. About 323 nursing degrees were awarded at The College Of Saint Scholastica in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of The College Of Saint Scholastica earn a median of $94,855 early in their careers. 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

8

Rochester Community And Technical College
Rochester, MN

Rochester Community And Technical College came in at #8 for nursing this year. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 109 nursing degrees were awarded at Rochester Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Rochester Community And Technical College earn around $70,020 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Rochester Community And Technical College

9

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #9 position for nursing this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Concordia University Saint Paul graduates 45% of students within six years. About 313 nursing degrees were awarded at Concordia University Saint Paul in the most recent 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. Get the full nursing details for Concordia University Saint Paul

10

Mayo Medical School
Rochester, MN

Mayo Medical School landed the #10 spot for nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Rochester. About 40 nursing degrees were awarded at Mayo Medical School in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Mayo Medical School earn a median of $127,726 early in their careers. Mayo Medical School graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Mayo Medical School

11

Rasmussen College Minnesota
St. Cloud, MN

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. There were roughly 460 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Rasmussen College Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Rasmussen College Minnesota earn around $77,596 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $34,866. More information about a degree in nursing from Rasmussen College Minnesota

12

Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University came in at #12 for nursing this year. Walden University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Walden University awarded about 4,948 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Walden University earn a median of $107,541 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $32,800 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Walden University

13

Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University Minnesota ranked #13 on our 2026 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. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 108 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $80,805. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full nursing program report for Bethel University Minnesota

14

Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College landed the #14 spot for nursing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Augsburg College awarded about 51 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $104,795 early in their careers. Augsburg College graduates carry a median of $23,441 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Augsburg College

15

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University earned the #15 position for nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of Saint Cloud. Saint Cloud State University graduates 39% of students within six years. About 76 nursing degrees were awarded at Saint Cloud State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $74,111 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000. Get the full nursing details for Saint Cloud State University

16

St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College earned the #16 position for nursing this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 nursing students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $76,078 in their early career. St Olaf College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at St Olaf College

17

St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine University earned the #17 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 281 nursing degrees were awarded at St Catherine University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $89,336. Typical student debt for the program is $32,610. More information about a degree in nursing from St Catherine University

18

Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN

Bemidji State University placed #18 among the best nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Bemidji. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 131 nursing degrees were awarded at Bemidji State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Bemidji State University earn around $77,639 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,990 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Bemidji State University

19

Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College placed #19 among the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. About 104 nursing degrees were awarded at Century College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Century College earn a median of $66,512 early in their careers. Century College graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Century College

20

Concordia College At Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Concordia College At Moorhead landed the #20 spot for nursing this year. Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Concordia College At Moorhead graduates 61% of students within six years. Concordia College At Moorhead awarded about 31 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Concordia College At Moorhead earn a median of $73,174 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Concordia College At Moorhead

21

Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College earned the #21 position for nursing this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. Ridgewater College awarded about 76 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $59,082. Students borrow a median of $23,062 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Ridgewater College

22

Northwestern College Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Northwestern College Minnesota ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 47 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern College Minnesota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $75,121 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. See the full nursing program report for Northwestern College Minnesota

23

College Of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN

College Of Saint Benedict placed #23 among the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 59 nursing students who graduated with this degree at College Of Saint Benedict in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from College Of Saint Benedict earn around $75,656 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Saint Benedict graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for College Of Saint Benedict

24

Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 104 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Moorhead in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead earn around $85,972 in the first couple years of their career. Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates carry a median of $30,359 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Minnesota State University Moorhead

25

Central Lakes College Brainerd
Brainerd, MN

Central Lakes College Brainerd earned the #25 position for nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Brainerd. About 82 nursing degrees were awarded at Central Lakes College Brainerd in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $68,032 in their early career. Central Lakes College Brainerd graduates carry a median of $28,354 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Central Lakes College Brainerd