Online Nursing Programs in Minnesota: Finding a School

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

If you want to kickstart your healthcare career right away, becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) usually takes just a few weeks or months. CNA programs are often available at technical schools and community colleges. They prepare students for an entry-level nursing position with plenty of hands-on patient interaction.

Example: Century College – Nursing Assistant Program

• Cost: $1,154
• Length: Two months
• Mode: Hybrid

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs prepare students to become licensed nurses who work under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses. LPN programs are longer and more involved than CNA programs, but they can be completed in approximately one year – sometimes a bit less, sometimes a bit more.

Example: Northland Community and Technical College – Practical Nursing Diploma

• Cost: $8,270
• Length: Three semesters (42 credits)
• Mode: Hybrid

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs are designed for students who are seeking licensure as a nurse. These programs are traditionally offered at community and technical colleges. They are popular options for students who don’t want to commit to a four-year undergraduate degree.

Full-time students usually complete ADN programs in approximately two years and can become registered nurses (RNs) upon completion of the program.

Example: Northwest Technical College – AS Traditional RN Program

• Cost: $14,522
• Length: Two years (64 credits)
• Mode: Hybrid

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree leads to nursing licensure and takes full-time students four years to complete. BSNs offer expanded career options and earning potential.

This degree is often prized by employers because of its rigorous, in-depth curriculum. A BSN degree can lead to advanced practice specializations such as nurse midwife or nurse practitioner.

Example: University of Northwestern – St. Paul – BSN Program

• Cost: $18,898/semester
• Length: Four years (125 credits)
• Mode: Online or Hybrid

Accelerated BSN (ABSN)

An Accelerated BSN (ABSN) degree is a practical option for students who have earned an unrelated bachelor’s degree and want to pursue a nursing career. After completing general education requirements, accelerated BSN students focus entirely on nursing-related requirements to finish their degree in approximately 18 months.

Example: Concordia University, St. Paul – ABSN Program

• Cost: $64,050 total ($1,050/credit)
• Length: 16 months (61 credits)
• Mode: Hybrid

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are available for working nurses with BSNs and students who have earned an unrelated bachelor’s degree. Students complete various core requirements and often specialize in areas like nursing leadership, informatics, and/or other areas of clinical practice. This degree takes between two and three years to complete, depending on previous academic experience.

Example: Winona State University – MSN Progarm

• Cost: $48,000 to $54,000
• Length: Four semesters plus summer sessions (46 to 48 credits)
• Mode: Hybrid

DNP and PhD Doctoral Programs

A DNP degree further hones clinical skills and can lead to various nursing leadership positions. A PhD is designed for students who are interested in research and teaching at the collegiate level. It focuses on the skills needed to transition into an academic setting. These degrees take three to six years to complete, depending on previous academic experience.

Example: Minnesota State University, Mankato – MSN to DNP Program

• Cost: $1198.19/credit (in-state), $1,797.15 (out-of-state)
• Length: Two years, part-time (27 credits)
• Mode: Online

Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

Post-graduate certificates are designed for working RNs who have earned an MSN degree. Students will learn about specific areas in the nursing field. They can access post-graduate certificate programs online and on campus.

These programs focus on specialization areas like nursing management, gerontology, and nurse education. If you want to advance your education without enrolling in a degree program, earning a certificate can be a way to do it.

Example: The College of St. Scholastica – APRN Certificate Program

• Cost: $925/credit
• Length: Three to four semesters (40 to 43 credits)
• Mode: Hybrid

LPN to RN and LPN to BSN

Bridge degree programs, such as LPN to RN and LPN to BSN, offer a clear academic path toward licensure as an RN. An LPN to RN program usually takes 18 to 24 months to complete, while an LPN to BSN track typically takes three to four years. These bridge programs will build upon your existing nursing skills and knowledge so you can complete the degree more quickly.

Example: Northwest Technical College – LPN Step-In Program

• Cost: $13,372.80 ($208.95/credit)
• Length: Three semesters (64 credits)
• Mode: Hybrid

RN to BSN

Accelerated RN to BSN programs offer working RNs a convenient path to complete a bachelor’s degree. These programs build upon prior coursework and focus on augmenting nursing knowledge and clinical skills. These degrees usually take approximately two years to complete and are often offered online, including some programs in Minnesota.

Example: Augsburg University – BSN Completion Program

• Cost: $476/credit
• Length: As little as 12 months (32 to 26 credits)
• Mode: Asynchronous Online

RN to MSN

An RN to MSN bridge degree program offers working RNs with an ADN the opportunity to earn a master’s degree in a shorter amount of time by building on current nursing knowledge and skills. Bridge degree programs are both online and in-person and usually take between 30 and 36 months.

Example: Minnesota State University Moorhead – Accelerated RN to MSN Program

• Cost: $638.39/credit
• Length: Approximately four years, including summer semesters
• Mode: Online

BSN to DNP

If you hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing and are ready to take your nursing education to the highest level, a BSN to DNP program will allow you to efficiently combine coursework from both MSN and DNP programs. This process accelerates the degree timeline and allows you to earn both degrees concurrently.

Example: Winona State University – BSN to DNP Program

• Cost: $81,000 to $84,000
• Length: Six to nine semesters
• Mode: Hybrid

Direct-Entry MSN

A direct-entry MSN program is designed for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. This program offers an accelerated path to nursing with no BSN required. For example, if you majored in biology as an undergrad and want to become a nurse practitioner, a direct-entry MSN program can get you up to speed by focusing on the prerequisite nursing skills that are necessary for a new career.

Example: St. Catherine University – Entry-Level MSN Program

• Cost: $50,745 ($995/credit)
• Length: 23 months (51 credits)
• Mode: Hybrid