Registered nurses (RNs) looking to become leaders in the healthcare workforce are increasingly going back to school to earn a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN). This advanced degree can lead to promotions, specialized nursing careers, and a higher salary. Minnesota is leading the charge by encouraging their schools to offer RN to BSN programs for nurses who currently hold an Associate's Degree in Nursing and want to move up to the next level in their careers.
2027 Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Minnesota
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, MN - Public 4-Year - mnstate.edu
RN to BSN - Registered Nurse (RN) to BSN
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
MSU Moorhead's RN to BSN program serves licensed RNs with an associate degree or diploma seeking career advancement. This bachelor's-level track uses a hybrid format—mostly online with some on-campus meetings—so you can study while working. The curriculum covers evidence-based practice, leadership, population-focused care, systems thinking, and emerging healthcare trends. Graduates are prepared for roles like registered nurse, long-term care leader, or community health worker, with a 100% employment rate. It is accredited by CCNE and holds pre-accreditation from NLN CNEA. No ACT or SAT entrance exam is required. With over 50 years in nursing education, MSUM offers small class sizes, experienced faculty, study abroad opportunities, military-friendly benefits, and scholarships.
- CCNE, NLN CNEA accredited
- 100% job placement rate
- Military benefits accepted
- Scholarships available
- NLN CNEA pre-accreditation status
- 50+ years of nursing education
- Study abroad opportunities available
- Committed and experienced faculty
- Careers: RN, Long-term Care Leader
Winona State University
Winona, MN - Public 4-Year - winona.edu
RN to BSN - RN-BS Completion Program
Online Learning - Visit Website
Winona State University offers a fully online RN-BS completion program for licensed RNs holding an associate degree or diploma. This CCNE-accredited, 40-credit curriculum develops leadership and management abilities to enhance patient outcomes, with coursework in holistic assessment across the lifespan, evidence-based practice, and community health. Students complete 60 hours of experiential learning with vulnerable populations, often through partnerships with Mayo Clinic. The program prepares graduates for Public Health Nurse certification and School Nurse licensure. Asynchronous classes provide schedule flexibility, with fall and spring starts. The program boasts a 96% job placement rate and awards over $75,000 in scholarships annually. No ACT or SAT entrance exam is mentioned; admission prioritizes existing RN licensure and prior academic transcripts.
- CCNE accredited
- 40 total credit hours
- Starts fall/spring
- Asynchronous online classes
- 96% job placement rate
- 60 clinical hours
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Prepares for PHN certification
- Prepares for School Nurse license
Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN - Public 4-Year - smsu.edu
RN to BSN - RN to BSN Program
Online Learning - Visit Website
Southwest Minnesota State University's RN to BSN program is a fully online, ACEN-accredited pathway designed for working registered nurses. No entrance exam is required for admission, and the 120-credit curriculum accepts prior learning credits to accelerate progress. Courses cover leadership, healthcare informatics, community and public health nursing, nursing research, and evidence-based practice, with a distinctive rural nursing focus throughout. Graduates are eligible to register as Public Health Nurses in Minnesota and gain skills for advanced nursing roles. With flexible scheduling and faculty support, the program accommodates practicing RNs, requiring a minimum 2.3 GPA for admission. Classes start in fall and spring, allowing students to balance professional commitments while earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
- ACEN accredited
- No entrance exam required
- 120 total credit hours
- Starts fall/spring
- 2.3 GPA minimum
- Courses completely online
- Eligible for Public Health Nurse registration
- Flexible schedule for working RNs
- Rural nursing focus throughout curriculum
- Leadership and management coursework
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN - Public 4-Year - bemidjistate.edu
RN to BSN - Nursing B.S. (RN-BS)
Online Learning - Visit Website
Bemidji State University's online RN to BSN (B.S. in Nursing) is designed for working registered nurses seeking career advancement. The curriculum emphasizes nursing theory, research, leadership, and community health, incorporating hands-on practicums. Students can choose full-time or part-time tracks with five start dates per year, completing in as little as one year. The RN Advantage grants 15 upper-level credits for a current RN license, reducing cost and time. Small classes ensure personalized mentorship, and banded tuition plus over $41,000 in annual scholarships enhance affordability. Graduates are prepared for roles like charge nurse, director of nursing, case manager, or clinical research coordinator. The program is 100% online with no campus visits, and no ACT or SAT requirement is specified.
- 3-Semester program
- Complete in as little as one year
- Full-time and part-time options
- 5 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring/summer
- 2.3 GPA minimum
- $0 application fee
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- 100% online coursework
Rasmussen University-Minnesota
St. Cloud, MN - Private 4-year - rasmussen.edu
RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
Rasmussen University-Minnesota offers an online RN to BSN program designed for licensed registered nurses seeking to advance their education while working. The curriculum blends online coursework with in-person clinicals in your local community, eliminating the need for on-campus classes. Comprising 70 credit hours across 17 courses, the program can be completed in as little as 12–18 months with flexible pacing and eight start dates annually. Tuition is $345 per credit, totaling $24,650, though savings through the Get Started Grant, alumni grants, and military benefits may reduce costs to $14,690. Transfer credits are accepted up to 134. Admission requires a current, unencumbered RN license; no ACT or SAT entrance exam is noted. The program is CCNE-accredited and includes faculty advisors, 24/7 tech support, and project-based learning.
- Online courses with in-person clinicals.
- 70 credit hours required.
- 17 courses to complete.
- Tuition $345 per credit.
- Total tuition $24,650.
- Potential savings to $14,690.
- Finish in 12–18 months.
- Eight start dates per year.
- Transfer up to 134 credits.
- CCNE-accredited program.
Fast & Affordable Program Options
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to advance your nursing career, bridge programs (such as an RN to BSN program) are a great option. These programs can often be completed in half the amount of time, saving you money on tuition and allowing you to hold other commitments in your schedule such as work or family obligations.
Quickest Online RN to BSN Degree Options
To save the most time in a BSN degree program, many nurses leverage their experience and credentials and enroll in an RN to BSN program. These fast-tracked bridge programs accept a large number of credits from associate programs and work with nurses who have their licenses to deliver the shortest possible enrollment period. Most RN to BSN programs can be completed two years or less. Here are a few of the shortest RN to BSN programs in Minnesota.
| School | Degree Name | Length |
| Minnesota State University | Online RN to BSN | 1 Year |
| St. Catherine University | Online RN to BSN | 10 Months |
Learn more about the Fastest RN to BSN Programs.
Do 6-month RN to BSN Programs Exist?
You may (in some unique instances) find an RN to BSN program that allows certain students to only commit six months to their education. Eligible candidates with a large number of transferable credits, a current license, and several years of nursing experience can apply to these types of programs where they exist, though you will likely have a hard time finding them in Minnesota.
Affordable Online RN to BSN Options
Beyond the timeliness of an RN to BSN, you can also look forward to saving a lot of money on tuition! Many RN to BSN programs cost only half as much as a traditional BSN — or even less. Like most bachelor’s degree programs, many schools hosting RN to BSN programs categorize their tuition costs by residency status, so if you are a Minnesota state resident, you can look forward to additional savings. Here are a few of the cheapest RN to BSN programs in the state:
| School | Degree Name | Tuition Cost |
| Minnesota State University | Online RN to BSN | $9,444 per year (Resident) $18,814 per year (Non-Resident) |
| St. Cloud State University | RN to BSN | $10,117 per year (Resident) $20,001 per year (Non-resident) |
Learn more about the cheapest RN to BSN Degrees.
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Admissions Requirements for Accredited RN to BSN Programs
There are typically strict criteria necessary for admittance into a good RN to BSN program. The following are examples of real entrance requirements that accredited schools in Minnesota list in order to be eligible for their RN to BSN programs:
- Current, unencumbered RN license
- Nursing GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Must submit transcripts from all colleges attended
Classes & Courses: What is the Curriculum Like?
Students in an RN to BSN program will need a total of 120 credits to graduate, although roughly 30 of these will be core nursing courses. Minnesota State University Moorhead offers the following upper-division nursing courses as part of their program:
- NURS 342: Care of Diverse Populations
- NURS 370: Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
- NURS 420L: Gerontological Nursing to Promote Successful Aging
- NURS 450: Applied Pathophysiology
- NURS 472: Leadership and Professional Development
2026 List of RN to BSN Programs in Minnesota
Learn about the best RN tp BSN programs in the state in our listings below:
Find RN to BSN Programs By City:
Browse Our List of Programs
Bemidji, MN
Bemidji State University
- RN to BSN - Nursing B.S. (RN-BS)
Online Learning - Website
- 3-Semester program
- Complete in as little as one year
- Full-time and part-time options
- 5 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring/summer
- 2.3 GPA minimum
- $0 application fee
- Financial aid available
Mankato, MN
Minnesota State University-Mankato
- RN to BSN - RN Baccalaureate Completion Program
Online Learning - Website
- Rolling admissions
- 100% online program
- Affordable tuition
- Individualized and flexible
Marshall, MN
Southwest Minnesota State University
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN Program
Online Learning - Website
- ACEN accredited
- No entrance exam required
- 120 total credit hours
- Starts fall/spring
- 2.3 GPA minimum
- Courses completely online
- Eligible for Public Health Nurse registration
- Flexible schedule for working RNs
Minneapolis, MN
Augsburg University
- RN to BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion Program
Online Learning - Website
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- 12-Month program
- 32 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- Starts fall/spring/summer
- Asynchronous online classes
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
Capella University
- RN to BSN - RN-to-BSN Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online Learning - Website
- Online program delivery
- FlexPath learning format available
- CCNE accredited program
- 9 core courses required
- 180 total quarter credits
- 135 maximum transfer credits
- 40 practicum hours required
- Capstone project included
Walden University
- RN to BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)
Online Learning - Website
- Online RN to BSN program
- Finish in as few as 9 months
- Tuition $14,065 for course-based
- Transfer up to 75% of credits
- No application fee
- No essay required
- Valid RN license required
- 46 quarter credits required
Moorhead, MN
Minnesota State University Moorhead
- RN to BSN - Registered Nurse (RN) to BSN
Online & Campus Based - Website
- CCNE, NLN CNEA accredited
- 100% job placement rate
- Military benefits accepted
- Scholarships available
- NLN CNEA pre-accreditation status
- 50+ years of nursing education
- Study abroad opportunities available
- Committed and experienced faculty
Saint Cloud, MN
Saint Cloud State University
- RN to BSN - RN-BS Completion Option
Online Learning - Website
- CCNE accredited
- 1-Year program
- Complete in Complete in one calendar year
- 30 total credit hours
- Rolling admissions
- Full-time and part-time options
- 3 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring/summer
Saint Paul, MN
Metropolitan State University
- RN to BSN - Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online Learning - Website
- CCNE accredited
- 5-Semester program
- Complete in Five semester progression
- 31 total credit hours
- Part-time available
- 3 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring/summer
- Asynchronous online classes
St Catherine University
- RN to BSN - RN-BSN
Online Learning - Website
- Starts fall/spring
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Practicum requirement in two courses
- Designed for registered nurses only
- Public Health Certification option
- CPR certification required
- Admission requires unencumbered RN license
- Population-based nursing practice courses
St. Cloud, MN
Rasmussen University-Minnesota
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- Online courses with in-person clinicals.
- 70 credit hours required.
- 17 courses to complete.
- Tuition $345 per credit.
- Total tuition $24,650.
- Potential savings to $14,690.
- Finish in 12–18 months.
- Eight start dates per year.
Winona, MN
Winona State University
- RN to BSN - RN-BS Completion Program
Online Learning - Website
- CCNE accredited
- 40 total credit hours
- Starts fall/spring
- Asynchronous online classes
- 96% job placement rate
- 60 clinical hours
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available