Prospective nurses in Minnesota should consider the state’s public nursing programs. All offer an affordable and high-quality education.

Public nursing schools
Public colleges and universities are the ideal choice for students wishing to pursue a nursing career in a cost-effective manner. As state-sponsored institutions, public nursing schools provide students a superb learning environment at a significantly lower tuition cost. In fact, public school enrollees typically pay about half the tuition charged at comparable private institutions. Many students pursue part-time jobs in local healthcare facilities, which also helps to decrease the financial burden.

Public schools offer several nursing educational paths, including two-year degrees, standard four-year programs, and specialized graduate vocational programs. Training varies in length and content based on the program, but always provides a state-qualified education and valuable preparation for the desired nursing role.

Training and career prospects in Minnesota
Public nursing institutions in Minnesota differ greatly in size and program breadth. Some of the most popular schools include the University of Minnesota, Northwest Technical College, and Metropolitan State University, all of which are known for their advanced research facilities and stimulating learning environments. Graduates of these schools can seek immediate employment in many local hospitals and healthcare facilities, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and Allina Health.

Find the most affordable nursing education in Minnesota by using our attached list of the state’s public nursing programs.

Twin Cities metro area

Anoka Technical College
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
Century College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Dakota County Technical College
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Hennepin Technical College
  • Associate of Applied Science in Practical Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Inver Hills Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Metropolitan State University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • DNP: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Normandale Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
North Hennepin Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
Saint Paul College
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
University of Minnesota
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Baccalaureate PhD
  • Post-Master's Certificates
School City Programs offered
Anoka Technical College Anoka
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
Century College White Bear Lake
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Dakota County Technical College Rosemount
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park
  • Associate of Applied Science in Practical Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Inver Hills Community College Inver Grove Heights
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Metropolitan State University Saint Paul
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • DNP: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Normandale Community College Bloomington
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
North Hennepin Community College Brooklyn Park
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
Saint Paul College Saint Paul
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
University of Minnesota Minneapolis
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Baccalaureate PhD
  • Post-Master's Certificates

Other Minnesota cities

Alexandria Technical & Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
Bemidji State University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Central Lakes College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Hibbing Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
Itasca Community College
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Lake Superior College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Mesabi Range Community and Technical College
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
Minnesota State College Southeast
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
Minnesota State University Moorhead
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Minnesota State University, Mankato
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Northland Community and Technical College - East Grand Forks
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Northland Community and Technical College - Thief River Falls
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Northwest Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Pine Technical and Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
Rainy River Community College
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Ridgewater College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Riverland Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Rochester Community and Technical College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
South Central College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Southwest Minnesota State University
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
St. Cloud State University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Winona State University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
School City Programs offered
Alexandria Technical & Community College Alexandria
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
Bemidji State University Bemidji
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Central Lakes College Brainerd
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Cloquet
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Hibbing Community College Hibbing
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
Itasca Community College Grand Rapids
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Lake Superior College Duluth
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Mesabi Range Community and Technical College Virginia
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
Minnesota State College Southeast Winona
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Minnesota State Community and Technical College Fergus Falls
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Minnesota State University, Mankato Mankato
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Minnesota West Community and Technical College Worthington
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Northland Community and Technical College - East Grand Forks East Grand Forks
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Northland Community and Technical College - Thief River Falls Thief River Falls
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Northwest Technical College Bemidji
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Pine Technical and Community College Pine City
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
Rainy River Community College International Falls
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Ridgewater College Willmar
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Riverland Community College Austin
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Rochester Community and Technical College Rochester
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
South Central College North Mankato
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
St. Cloud State University Saint Cloud
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
St. Cloud Technical and Community College Saint Cloud
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Winona State University Winona
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Category: 
Minnesota