Online RN to BSN Programs in Minnesota

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in Minnesota

1. Minnesota State University-Mankato

• Program: Online RN Baccalaureate Completion
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 4-5 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

Affordable, flexible, and 100% online—these are just 3 reasons why MSU Mankato’s Online RN Baccalaureate Completion appears in our Best Minnesota rankings. The College of Allied Health & Nursing has come up with an asynchronous program that includes targeted coursework (e.g. Informatics, Family Nursing, etc.) and a practical chunk of clinical/experiential learning activities (90 hours). Here you’ll find a College with unique College of Allied Health and Nursing Scholarships and a reputation for rigor. Reviewers say the undergraduate programs are very thorough.

2. Minnesota State University-Moorhead

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 31
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); Part-Time Available
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes – Inquire Before Applying

We give MSUM’s 100% Online RN to BSN a thumbs-up for catering to Minnesota nurses! After you complete your BSN coursework, including a Public Health Immersion in your home community, you can apply for Public Health Nursing (PHN) certification through the Minnesota Board of Nursing. Graduates of M State’s ADN program are also eligible for automatic acceptance through the Dual Acceptance Program. Better yet, the School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership is strong on internships & career placement and independent reviews are positive.

3. Winona State University

• Program: Online RN-BS Completion Program
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 2-4 Years (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

WSU takes the #3 spot thanks to a well-connected Department of Nursing and a flexible approach to the BSN. At WSU, you’ll find a Department with consistently solid NCLEX pass rates, tons of useful clinical affiliations (e.g. Allina Health, Mayo Clinic, Mercy Medical Center, Gundersen Lutheran Health System, etc.), and a 95%+ job placement rate for BSN undergraduates. The Online RN-BS Completion Program is available in a 100% online format or a hybrid version on the Rochester campus. It’s strong on practicums in Population-Based Health Care. And it’s designed to meet the criteria for public health certification in the state of Minnesota. See the FAQs section for more details.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in Minnesota

When it comes to tuition costs, Minnesota is a “middle-of-the-road” state. The most affordable Online RN to BSN programs tend to cost between $9,000-$10,000 in total. We’ve featured those schools below, but you will find better prices in our rankings of the Cheapest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

This is going to be a judgement call—if a Minnesota school has strong clinical & career connections, it might be worth an extra $2,000-$3,000 in tuition.

1. Southwest Minnesota State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

For its Online RN to BSN, SMSU offers in-state tuition to nearly everyone, with no extra out-of-state fees; reciprocity rates may apply. The program is available in a 100% online format, with 11 courses and 75 clinical hours in a community/public health type setting, but you are also welcome to visit the campus once per semester for an RN to BSN day. Graduates are eligible to register to be a public health nurse in Minnesota.

2. Capella University

• Program: Online RN to BSN Completion
• RN to BSN Credits: 45 Quarter Credits
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

Although Capella is CCNE-accredited, it is a for-profit school. So you’ll need to decide if you feel comfortable with that designation. Capella offers a self-paced Online RN to BSN Completion program—you’re allowed to take unlimited courses (up to 2 at a time) during a 12-week billing session. Our price estimate is based on 9 months/3 billing sessions.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in Minnesota

To appear in our Fastest rankings, Online RN to BSN Programs in Minnesota had to be less than 3 semesters/1 year on a full-time schedule. A few degrees made this cut-off—you might want to compare them with other schools in our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. Capella University

• Program: Online RN to BSN Completion
• RN to BSN Credits: 45 Quarter Credits
• Length: Self-Paced (Estimated 9 Months)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

With Capella’s FlexPath format, you’re allowed to take unlimited courses (up to 2 at a time) during a 12-week billing session. There are 7 core courses and 1 capstone in the Online RN to BSN Completion; check to see if you need any additional prerequisites. Some RNs have said they finished the program in as little as 3-4 months; we’ve used a broad estimate of 9 months. Capella is CCNE-accredited and affordable, but keep in mind that it’s for-profit.

2. Bethel University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 39
• Length: 10 Months
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

On a full-time schedule, you can finish Bethel’s highly regarded & faith-focused Online RN to BSN in 10 months. The nursing curriculum contains 18 courses, but courses start every 6 weeks. So you would be going at a much quicker pace than conventional programs. When you’re looking at your annual calendar, budget for time spent on practicums and a final Clinical Care Change Project.

3. St. Catherine University

• Program: Online RN-BSN Degree Completion
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 10-12 Months
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No

If you have all of your prerequisites in hand, St. Kate’s ACEN-accredited and 100% Online RN-BSN Degree Completion program might take as little as 10 months to complete. Any courses with practicum components (e.g. Population-Based Nursing Practice) will require additional weekday time in your local area. Public Health certification can be coordinated with the Nursing Department.

RN to BSN Scholarships in Minnesota

RN to BSN Requirements in Minnesota

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. That means Minnesota universities will expect you to hold—or be in the process of earning—an RN license. If you’re in the last semester of an associate degree program, you will have a little bit of breathing space. State universities like SMSU, Minnesota State Mankato, Bemidji, and WSU allow students to apply prior to sitting the RN-NCLEX exam.

• Any questions you have about state licensure can be directed toward the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
• On this website, you’ll also find NCLEX pass rates for pre-licensure programs and a list of Board-Approved Professional Nursing Programs. The Board doesn’t get involved with post-licensure programs, but we always like to use NCLEX pass rates as a quality benchmark.

State Authorization: Do you live outside of Minnesota? Before you apply, check the admissions requirements carefully. A number of MN schools have limitations on whom they can accept. Just to take a few examples:

• Metro State wants to see evidence of current & unencumbered RN licensure in Minnesota or Wisconsin.
• Bemidji applicants must reside in Minnesota, North Dakota, or Wisconsin.
• CSP candidates must have a current & unencumbered Minnesota RN license.
• Walden is unable to accept applications from Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island residents.

If you’re in any doubt about your eligibility, ask the RN to BSN program coordinator for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any 100% Online RN to BSN Programs in Minnesota?

Absolutely. Most of the Online RN to BSN programs in our Minnesota listings are available in a 100% online format, with no campus visits required. There are a few exceptions—Augsburg’s hybrid program is available to RNs in Minneapolis and Rochester—so it’s always best to read the program page carefully.

Better yet, a number of Minnesota universities will allow you to choose. Schools like WSU, Metro State, and Bethel will give you the option to select a 100% online format or a hybrid version with campus classes.

Can I Choose a Minnesota Online RN to BSN Program with “No Clinicals”?

Not really. Because of accreditation rules, all upper division BSN programs contain some kind of practicum element. But these experiences won’t be like your associate degree or diploma. Clinicals in Online RN to BSN programs are much more focused on community & public health and practice improvement. For instance:

• Augsburg’s Hybrid BSN Completion contains Community Health practicum hours that can be completed in local or statewide settings. There’s even an optional 1-2 week immersion at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
• The Capstone Experience in SCSU’s Online RN to BS Completion immerses students in applied learning through clinical partnerships in their home community.
• MSUM’s Online RN to BSN involves 4 clinical experiences—two with a family and an elder and two that involve public health and a focused practice improvement project.

Do I Need Statistics to Apply for MN Online RN to BSN Programs?

Maybe. Check the admissions & curriculum sections on the program webpage for details. Schools like WSU and Metro State are still asking for statistics as a prerequisite, but Augsburg is not. Prerequisite requirements can often change, so don’t be afraid to ask the RN to BSN program coordinator for clarification.

Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in Minnesota?

If you’re interested in graduate work, but you need a BSN for employment purposes, you might want to consider these options:

• Walden’s Accelerate Into Master’s (AIM) pathway allows you to earn up to 15 master’s-level credit hours by taking graduate courses as an undergraduate. This will speed the process of earning the Online MSN.
• Bethel’s BSN & MS Online Bridge Program in Nurse-Midwifery is designed for RNs who hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree in any subject.

In addition, Augsburg will allow BSN students to take 3 graduate-level courses that count toward electives for the BSN degree and the MA in Nursing. WSU has a similar process for the RN to MS Professional Pathway. However, your master’s degree may be on-campus.

Will an Online RN to BSN Prepare Me for Minnesota Public Health Nurse Registration?

Yes. Many Minnesota Online RN to BSN programs are designed to prep you for public health nurse registration through the Minnesota State Board of Nursing. Examples include—but are not limited to!—Augsburg, Bemidji, SMSU, SCSU, CSS, MSUM, and WSU. When in doubt, check with the RN to BSN program coordinator.