Minnesota RN-BSN Programs: Affordable & Fast Options for 2025

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Simplify your search for an Online RN to BSN in Minnesota! Use our state listings to explore CCNE- and ACEN-accredited options. Find rankings of the best, fastest, and cheapest Online RN to BSN programs in Minnesota. Apply for MN nursing awards and hospital scholarships. And discover answers to FAQs, including details on Public Health Nurse Registration.

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
NCLEX Pass Rates: 96.49%

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. 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. 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
NCLEX Pass Rates: 76.77%

WSU snags our #2 spot thanks to a well-connected Department of Nursing and a flexible approach to the BSN. At WSU, you’ll find a Department with 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. It’s strong on practicums in Population-Based Health Care. It can help you cut down on graduate coursework with the RN-Graduate Nursing Pathway. And it’s designed to meet the criteria for public health certification in the state of Minnesota. See the FAQs section for more details.

3. Bemidji State University

Program: Online RN-BS
RN to BSN Credits: 32
Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 5 Semesters (Part-Time)
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: MN, ND or WI
NCLEX Pass Rates: 91.89%

Small class sizes. Dedicated nursing scholarships. And a track record of supporting Indigenous nursing students. It’s no wonder BSU’s Online RN-BS appears in our Best rankings! We also commend the Department of Nursing for its strong job placement rate and its open-door policy for student feedback. During the Online RN-BS, you’ll have the option to choose a nursing elective in an area of your interest, as well as a course in American Indian Health Issues & Nursing. You could also elect to pursue Public Health Nurse (PHN) certification or an End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) Certificate. See the sample schedules for more info on the curriculum.

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-$11,000 in total. We’ve featured one of those schools below, but you will find better prices in our rankings of the Cheapest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

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
NCLEX Pass Rates: N/A

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; the population/community health course will involve 24 hours of direct hands-on experiential learning experiences with 11 volunteer hours in the community. Graduates are eligible to register to be a public health nurse in Minnesota.

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. One degree made this cut-off—you might want to compare it with other schools in our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. St. Catherine University

Program: Online RN-BSN Degree Completion
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Length: 10 Months
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes—with Exceptions
NCLEX Pass Rates: 68.18%

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

Statewide Scholarships for Minnesota RN to BSN Students

Minnesota Nursing Organization Scholarships

In your quest for state-based RN to BSN scholarships, we recommend you begin with Minnesota nursing organizations and associations. Your best bets will be:

Minnesota Community Foundation Scholarships

You should also take a moment to find your local MN community foundation and ask about awards. Community foundations are known for providing scholarships to high school graduates, but they may also be willing to help students pursue additional undergraduate studies. Examples include:

Minnesota Healthcare System & University Partnerships

Before you apply to any Online RN to BSN program, talk to the HR representative at your place of employment. Hospitals and healthcare systems almost always have partnership programs in place with universities. For instance:

CSS has a Meaningful Work Award/10% tuition discount for employees of participating partners.

Many MN employers also offer employee & local residents awards for further education. Here are just a few examples:

University Scholarships for Minnesota RN to BSN Students

Institutional aid for Online RN to BSN programs will depend on the school. Big state universities in Minnesota will often have a fair number of nursing & health science scholarships on tap; smaller MN schools like CSS may offer unique awards (e.g. Study Buddy Scholarship). Keep in mind that general university scholarships are often reserved for “traditional” 4-year undergraduates.

Augsburg University

Bemidji State University

Metropolitan State University

Minnesota State University-Mankato

Minnesota State University-Moorhead

Rasmussen University

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

SMU Undergraduate Scholarships

Southwest Minnesota State University

SMSU Scholarships

St. Catherine University

The College of St. Scholastica

Walden University

Walden Tuition & Financial Aid

Winona State University

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.

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

Minnesota Online RN to BSN Programs: FAQs

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. Better yet, a number of Minnesota universities will allow you to choose. Schools like WSU and Metro State 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”?

Because of CCNE and ACEN 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:

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.
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-Graduate Nursing Pathway. However, your master’s degree may be on-campus.

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

Winona, Minnesota

RN-BSN Completion Program

Offered Online

Curriculum Info Cost Info How To Apply