Your Guide to the Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Minnesota
If you’re a working RN in Minnesota and looking for new responsibilities and higher pay, a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) could be the answer. Use this EduMed guide to see how online RN to BSN bridge programs in Minnesota work, and read about admissions requirements, timelines, costs, content delivery formats, and more.
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Reviewing Online RN to BSN Programs in Minnesota
Earning a BSN opens doors for registered nurses across Minnesota, from large hospital systems in Minneapolis to rural clinics near the Canadian border. Online RN to BSN bridge programs make it possible to advance your education without starting over in a traditional four-year program.
As you explore your options, keep these factors in mind:
- Career reach: A BSN expands job opportunities statewide, including leadership and specialized nursing roles.
- Bridge structure: RN to BSN programs build on your nursing diploma or ADN, current RN license, and professional experience to shorten time to graduation.
- Flexible formats: Most Minnesota programs are offered online or in hybrid formats, allowing you to continue working full time.
- Course delivery: Many programs rely heavily on asynchronous coursework, giving you control over when you complete assignments and lectures.
To get you started, we’ve highlighted three online RN to BSN programs currently available in Minnesota. These spotlights provide a clear picture of what to expect as you compare programs and plan your next steps.
Nursing RN to BSN – Metro State University
The Registered Nurse to BSN program at Metro State University highlights health equity, holistic care, and the use of critical analysis to question today’s pressing issues in nursing and healthcare.
The 31-credit asynchronous program is designed for students to take two nursing courses each semester and is completed with five semesters of part-time study, allowing students to maintain a positive work-home balance. All students must also meet all general education and liberal studies requirements.
The program is endorsed by the American Holistic Nursing Credentialing Corporation and qualifies you to take the holistic nursing certification exam. It’s also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Duration: Five semesters (including summers)
Mode: Online coursework with in-person community health practicum
Cost: $385.25/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Complete online application
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Transcript indicating completion of an ADN or diploma in nursing from an accredited institution
- Active unencumbered RN license
Curriculum:
- Theoretical Foundations for Nursing Practice
- Racism and Health
- Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice
- Global Health Issues
- Holistic Health and Healing
- Community Health Nursing and Practicum
- Lifespan Transitions: Aging and Health
- Leadership and Management in Nursing
- Capstone: Nurses Take Action for Health Equity
Programs that might interest you:
Nursing B.S. (RN to B.S.) – Bemidji State University
Study flexibility is a key feature of the CCNE-accredited Nursing B.S. (RN-BS) program at Bemidji State University. Students have the option full-time or part-time (one or two classes at a time) enrollment and can choose among one of five start dates annually.
Graduates are well qualified to work in any of several healthcare settings with job titles such as:
- Charge nurse
- Traveling nurse
- Director of nursing
- Chief nursing officer
- Case manager
- Insurance specialist
Bemidji awards over $41,000 in scholarships annually to its nursing students.
Duration: Three semesters full time, five semesters part time
Mode: Fully online (some classes may require some travel to attend to site visits, patient assessments, etc.)
Cost: $339.52/credit (tuition only)
Admissions Requirements:
- Bemidji State University application
- Department of Nursing RN-BS application
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in your nursing associate degree or diploma program
- Internet access suitable for delivery of online courses, practice experiences, and peer collaboration
- Associate degree or diploma as an RN or be a licensed RN by the end of the first semester in the RN-BS program
- Unencumbered RN license in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or North Dakota
- Residence in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or North Dakota
Curriculum:
- Concepts of Nursing and Healthcare
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Integrative and Cultural Nursing or American Indian Health Issues & Nursing
- Information Management and Collaborative Communication
- Health Care Policy, Finance, and Regulatory Environments
- Family and Population Health (with Practicum)
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Evidence, Practice, and Research
- Plus one elective course
Nursing RN-to-BS – Winona State University
Prepare yourself to be a leader in nursing with the RN to BS program at Winona State University.
This CCNE-accredited program places a special emphasis on enhancing student skills in teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and quality control. Students additionally learn to perform holistic assessments, understand how to work with vulnerable populations through experiential learning, and learn to write evidence-based practice reports.
The course of study consists of 40 credits. Students may transfer in up to 80 previously-earned credits to reach the 120-credit total to obtain the degree.
Start dates are available in the fall and spring.
Winona State provides $75,000 in scholarships annually to nursing students.
Duration: Self-paced. As little as one year.
Mode: Fully-online coursework, asynchronous delivery, plus in-person practicum experiences
Cost: $4,466.34/semester for 12 to 18 credits for Minnesota and Wisconsin residents; $295.43/credit for Minnesota residents (part-time); $324.40/credit for Wisconsin residents (part-time). Rates vary for residents of other states.
Admissions Requirements:
- Admission to Winona State University
- 2.5 GPA
- Active RN license
- Meeting with RN-BS program advisor
Curriculum:
- Research and Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
- Concepts in Professional Nursing
- Holistic Assessment
- Leadership and Management
- Issues and Trends in Managing Chronic Conditions
- Population-Based Healthcare
RN to BSN Program FAQs: Minnesota Edition
If you’re ready to start applying but still have some lingering questions, we can help. Here are the answers to five commonly-asked questions by prospective Minnesota online RN to BSN students.
How will an RN to BSN program in Minnesota prepare me for more opportunities?
Building on the foundational knowledge gained in your nursing diploma or ADN program — and experience working as an RN — your BSN program will provide you with greater depth and breadth of nursing skills to take on leadership and specialized practice roles.
Additionally, BSN degree holders can continue with their education to earn a master’s degree leading to advanced specialized practice as a Nurse Practitioner and, further, pursue a doctorate to fill a top-tier position in medical research or postsecondary education.
Expert Insight
If you plan to stay at your current job after earning a BSN, you may have the opportunity to move up in your department or fulfill a leadership role in another department – for example, moving from a staff RN role on a telemetry unit to being the nurse manager for that unit or the clinical nurse educator for another unit.
How long does it take to complete an RN to BSN program in Minnesota?
Completion times for online RN to BSN programs vary from program to program.
In Minnesota, some programs can be completed in as little as one year. Program examples include those at Augsburg University, Bemidji State University, and Winona State University.
Most programs offer part-time or self-paced options as well that can add another year or more to the program length, but by doing so provide students greater flexibility to earn their degree while continuing their RN jobs. For example, at Minnesota State University—Moorhead, RN to BSN students have the option of taking one, two, or three courses per term.
How affordable are RN to BSN programs in Minnesota?
Affordability is a concern for practically all college students. And while some RN to BSN programs are more affordable than others, if you’re looking to choose an online RN to BSN program in Minnesota, you should expect to find most charging per-credit rates from the low-to-mid $100’s to over $1,400.
Examples include:
- Minnesota State University—Mankato is $367.90/credit
- Metro State University is $385.25/credit
- Augsburg University is $1,439/credit
- Minnesota State University—Moorhead is $377.27/credit.
Some schools, such as Bemidji State University and Winona State University, offer banded tuition, meaning you pay the same per-semester price for 12 credits to 18 credits — a great savings advantage if you’re able to study full time.
Remember, though, that your total program price tag will depend on a number of elements, including tuition rate, additional fees and expenses, and the total number of credits you need to earn.
Is there financial aid available to Minnesota RN to BSN students?
Online RN to BSN students in Minnesota may be eligible for various financial aid resources to help pay for their educations. Common funding types include:
- Scholarships and grants
- Loans
- Employer tuition reimbursement
- Tuition discounts, deferment, and installment plans
When applying to RN to BSN programs in Minnesota, don’t forget to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for government-subsidized loans and grants. And be sure to contact the financial aid offices at each school you’re considering for the latest information on funding help for your RN to BSN program.
In Minnesota, what should I look for in a quality RN to BSN program?
There are two main components to ensuring the quality of any online RN to BSN program in Minnesota you’re considering:
- Approval by the Minnesota Board of Nursing
- Programmatic accreditation from either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Proper accreditation is your way of knowing that a program has met important standards of academic quality. It’s also critical because many forms of financial aid are only available to students in properly-accredited programs.
Minnesota RN to BSN Salary and Career Info
Minnesota's nursing market carries an unusual wrinkle: Mayo Clinic, one of the state's largest employers, now requires new associate-degree hires to complete a BSN within five years of starting, a policy that reflects where the broader market is headed. That makes bachelor's-prepared nurses the default expectation at major systems like Mayo, with pay that tends to sit in the top half of this range. Associate-degree RNs can still land solid entry-level roles, especially outside the Twin Cities, but expect the bottom half of this range and, increasingly, a BSN timeline attached to that offer letter.
Registered Nurses
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN-WI | $77,460 | $96,940 | $125,980 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $69,620 | $82,120 | $103,480 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $66,380 | $79,070 | $97,850 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $79,820 | $98,370 | $120,220 |
| Mankato, MN | $82,880 | $103,400 | $127,510 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $82,180 | $103,040 | $133,450 |
| Minnesota | $79,960 | $101,510 | $132,430 |
| Rochester, MN | $81,960 | $101,660 | $127,540 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $54,040 | $75,350 | $97,330 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $80,030 | $105,290 | $114,920 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
