Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Minnesota

Last Updated On Mar 11, 2025

RegisteredNursing.org Staff

5 Min Read

2025 Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Minnesota

Looking for the best online RN to BSN programs in Minnesota? RegisteredNursing.org has you covered. We rank programs to help you find the right fit for your nursing career. Our list considers quality, flexibility, and affordability. Start advancing your nursing education today. Check out our rankings to make an informed choice. Learn more about how we rank programs here.

Southwest Minnesota State University

Marshall, MN - Public 4-Year - smsu.edu

Bachelor's - RN to BSN Program

Online Learning - Visit Website

Southwest Minnesota State University's RN to BSN program offers registered nurses a flexible, fully online pathway to advance their nursing career. Designed for working professionals, the program allows students to customize their learning pace while earning credits for prior experience. Graduates develop advanced skills in leadership, community health, and evidence-based practice, preparing them to excel in diverse healthcare settings. With an undergraduate nursing GPA requirement of 2.30 and no additional admission exams, the program provides an accessible route to professional growth and public health nursing eligibility.

Fully online flexible program
No set credit requirements
CCNE and ACEN accredited
Prior learning credits awarded
Public health nurse eligibility
2.30 minimum nursing GPA
120 total credits required
40 upper-level credits
Working nurse-friendly curriculum

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Moorhead, MN - Public 4-Year - mnstate.edu

Bachelor's - Registered Nurse (RN) to BSN

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Minnesota State University Moorhead's RN to BSN program provides a flexible pathway for registered nurses to advance their careers. The hybrid program allows working professionals to seamlessly transition from associate or diploma degrees to a comprehensive bachelor's in nursing. With 100% employment rates and opportunities for salary advancement, students gain cutting-edge theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The program features doctorally prepared faculty, CCNE accreditation, and a curriculum designed to enhance nursing practice across various healthcare settings.

Hybrid online/on-campus format
100% employment rate
CCNE accredited program
Experienced doctorally prepared faculty
86% career advancement potential

Winona State University

Winona, MN - Public 4-Year - winona.edu

Bachelor's - RN-BS Completion Program

Online Learning - Visit Website

Winona State University's RN-to-BS Completion Program provides licensed registered nurses an opportunity to advance their careers through a flexible, online degree pathway. Designed for working professionals, the program enables nurses to build critical leadership skills, enhance patient care strategies, and expand career opportunities. Graduates can pursue roles in healthcare management, public health, and specialized nursing sectors. The 40-credit program allows transfer of previous academic credits, making it cost-effective and time-efficient. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the program prepares nurses for higher-level positions with potential for increased earnings.

Fully online degree completion
40 credit program
Prepares for leadership roles
Accredited by CCNE
Flexible asynchronous coursework
60 hours experiential learning
Pathway to public health certification

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, MN - Public 4-Year - bemidjistate.edu

Bachelor's - RN to BSN

Online Learning - Visit Website

Bemidji State University's RN to BSN online program provides working nurses a flexible pathway to advance their career. The affordable program, costing less than $11,000, allows completion in as little as one year with 100% online coursework. Students earn 15 free nursing credits, gain Public Health Nursing and End of Life Nursing certifications, and prepare for expanded healthcare roles in critical care, community clinics, and leadership positions.

100% Online Program
Less than $11,000 Total Cost
Flexible Part-Time Options
15 Free Nursing Credits
No Statistics Course Required
Public Health Nursing Certification
End of Life Nursing Certification
Customized Graduation Plan
2.5+ GPA Requirement
RN License Needed

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN - Public 4-Year - stcloudstate.edu

Bachelor's - RN-BS Completion Option

Online Learning - Visit Website

Saint Cloud State University's RN-BS Completion Option provides registered nurses an efficient pathway to expand their healthcare career potential. This 30-credit online program enables nurses to earn a bachelor's degree in just one year, enhancing leadership skills and professional opportunities. With an affordable cost of approximately $11,000 and a per-credit rate of $377 for Minnesota residents, the program offers flexibility through part-time or full-time enrollment. Designed for working professionals, it requires a minimum 2.50 GPA and current RN licensure, preparing nurses for advanced roles and potential public health certification.

30-credit online nursing program
Completion in 12 months
Part-time or full-time options
Minimum 2.50 GPA requirement
Courses every seven weeks
Approximately $11k total tuition
CCNE accredited program
Public health certification eligible

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