Metropolitan State University Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Urban, access-focused programs through Metro State’s Department of Nursing and College of Nursing and Health Sciences: prelicensure BSN (including MANE), Entry-Level MSN, online RN-to-BSN, and DNP tracks—with NCLEX outcomes from Minnesota Board of Nursing statistical tables and tuition from Metro State’s published schedule.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Metro State stacks an urban-access mission with distinctive nursing structures: the Minnesota Alliance for Nursing Education (MANE) BSN collaboration with community colleges, an Entry-Level MSN for career changers holding a prior bachelor’s, and DNP tracks including nurse anesthesia through the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia—plus holistic-nursing endorsement across several programs per official program pages.
Overview & Why Students Choose Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul’s Metropolitan State University emphasizes social mobility and flexible delivery for working learners across the Minnesota State system. Within the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, the Department of Nursing spans pre-licensure and graduate pathways—from the Minnesota Alliance for Nursing Education (MANE) collaborative BSN and a campus-based prelicensure BSN to an Entry-Level MSN for second-degree students, a holistic RN-to-BSN completion track, and DNP concentrations that include family practice and nurse anesthesia through a Minneapolis School of Anesthesia partnership.
Across those programs, Metro State highlights holistic nursing (AHNCC endorsement on multiple pathways), CCNE-accredited nursing degrees, and Twin Cities clinical partnerships that expose students to diverse community and hospital settings. The mix attracts Minnesota residents, transfer and MANE students from partner colleges, and career changers targeting the ELMSN cohort model.
According to the Minnesota Board of Nursing’s “Number and First-time Success Rate of NCLEX-RN Candidates Educated in Minnesota Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Nursing Programs 2022–2025” PDF, Metro State appears as two Board table rows—“Metropolitan State University, Baccalaureate” and “Metropolitan State University, Master.” In calendar year 2025, those rows show 70.97% for 31 first-time Baccalaureate-level candidates and 85.71% for 28 Master-level candidates. The same report lists an aggregate first-time pass rate of 85.12% for all Minnesota baccalaureate-and-higher RN candidates in 2025, so the Baccalaureate row is below that aggregate while the Master row is close to it. Metro State’s separate “Licensure Pass Rates” page cites 90.2% nursing for 2021 test takers—a different metric year than the Board’s newest calendar-year table. Confirm the latest cohorts with the Minnesota Board of Nursing statistical data index and Metro State’s program offices.
Reasons students choose Metro State
MANE and dual-admission access
The Department of Nursing describes MANE as a collaboration with community colleges that expands who can complete a Metro State BSN and sit for NCLEX-RN—often while starting at a partner college.
Entry-Level MSN economics & pace
Metro State advertises ELMSN undergraduate credits billed at undergraduate tuition before the graduate portion—plus a published estimated total program cost for 2025–26 including fees—to help career changers compare pathways.
Holistic nursing thread
Several programs carry American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation endorsement with certification exam practice-hour waivers noted on RN-to-BSN, ELMSN, prelicensure, and DNP FNP pages.
Urban clinical ecosystem
Twin Cities partnerships named on the Department site span health systems, schools, public health, and community agencies for community-health and acute-care clinical immersion.
No GRE/TEAS for ELMSN
The Entry-Level MSN application instructions state that GRE, TEAS, and recommendation letters are not required—distinct from the Prelicensure BSN, which publishes a TEAS minimum.
Nursing Programs Offered
Use the headings below to separate pre-licensure, post-licensure, and graduate/APRN pathways. Every program name matches Metro State’s Department of Nursing / College of Nursing and Health Sciences public pages as of this review.
Pre-licensure (NCLEX-RN preparation)
Nursing Prelicensure BSN
Four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing on the Saint Paul campus; graduates sit for NCLEX-RN and may apply for Minnesota public-health nurse registration. Prerequisites include a 2.75 GPA benchmark and ATI TEAS ≥ 58.7 per the program eligibility page.
MANE BSN (Minnesota Alliance for Nursing Education)
Collaborative BSN launched in 2013: students may be dually admitted through partner community colleges while completing coursework toward the same BSN credential and NCLEX-RN eligibility. Metro State describes St. Paul campus or partner-college completion options.
Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELMSN)
For applicants with a non-nursing bachelor’s: ~2.5-year full-time cohort (including summers), 62 credits (31 undergraduate / 31 graduate segments), 630 clinical hours, hybrid/online blend, NursingCAS application with January and May priority rounds for Fall 2026, and no GRE/TEAS requirement on the program page.
Post-licensure
RN-to-BSN
Holistic, competency-based online completion for licensed RNs (ADN or diploma) with cumulative GPA ≥ 2.5; cohorts each fall, spring, and summer; 30 nursing credits plus any remaining general education. Community health practicum includes 45 experiential hours.
Graduate (APRN & doctoral)
DNP — Family Nurse Practitioner
Doctor of Nursing Practice preparing licensed RNs with BSN or Entry-Level MSN for FNP scope; holistic endorsement noted on departmental materials.
DNP — Nurse Anesthesia
CRNA-focused DNP offered with Minneapolis School of Anesthesia; Metro State directs applicants to MSA for anesthesia-specific admission information.
Post-Master’s DNP
For nurses who already hold graduate nursing preparation and seek doctoral completion at Metro State.
Tracks, credits, and endorsements above are taken from Metro State program and department pages. NursingCAS deadlines, TEAS versions, and prerequisite substitutions change—confirm your pathway on the official site before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Minnesota Board of Nursing education statistical data PDF titled Number and First-time Success Rate of NCLEX-RN Candidates Educated in Minnesota Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Nursing Programs 2022–2025, Metropolitan State University is reported on separate lines for Baccalaureate-level and Master-level first-time NCLEX-RN candidates (calendar-year columns 2022–2025).
| Board table row (Metro State) | Calendar year | First-time candidates | First-time pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan State University, Baccalaureate | 2022 | 23 | 73.91% |
| Metropolitan State University, Baccalaureate | 2023 | 28 | 89.29% |
| Metropolitan State University, Baccalaureate | 2024 | 28 | 85.71% |
| Metropolitan State University, Baccalaureate | 2025 | 31 | 70.97% |
| Metropolitan State University, Master | 2022 | 27 | 88.89% |
| Metropolitan State University, Master | 2023 | 32 | 87.50% |
| Metropolitan State University, Master | 2024 | 19 | 94.74% |
| Metropolitan State University, Master | 2025 | 28 | 85.71% |
| MN aggregate (all MN baccalaureate & higher RN programs) | 2025 | 1,721 | 85.12% |
| Source | Minnesota Board of Nursing — Education Statistical Data (PDF: 2022–2025 RN NCLEX table). Confirm newer tables after 2025 with the Board and Metro State. | ||
Board rows label program types (Baccalaureate vs. Master) rather than marketing names—align your pathway with admissions advisors. NCLEX outcomes swing by cohort; always confirm the newest PDF and any Metro State consumer disclosures.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Metro State’s Entry-Level MSN page states that international applicants are welcome and should follow the university’s international student hub for visa timing. Non-U.S. bachelor’s degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency as part of ELMSN admission. This section is general guidance—not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm current TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent minimums with Metro State International Admissions.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: ELMSN requires credential review for non-U.S. degrees; other pathways may require WES or Board-directed steps.
- Minnesota Board of Nursing: Internationally educated nurses seeking licensure by examination or endorsement must meet Board documentation and NCLEX eligibility rules independent of admission.
- Immigration & visa: Clinical courses can constrain F-1 practical training; confirm with International Student Services before committing to a cohort.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Metro State’s international student resources and the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Nursing admissions at Metro State are pathway-specific: Prelicensure BSN uses Metro State’s undergraduate application plus the department’s TEAS threshold; Entry-Level MSN uses NursingCAS with science prerequisites and higher GPA bars; RN-to-BSN requires an active RN license and prior nursing diploma/ADN.
Application timeline (examples from official pages)
| Program | Milestone | Date / detail |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level MSN — Fall 2026 | Round 1 priority (NursingCAS) | January 15, 2026 (10:59 p.m. CT) — requires completed bachelor’s + four science labs plus full application. |
| Entry-Level MSN — Fall 2026 | Round 2 | May 15, 2026 (10:59 p.m. CT) for applicants finishing requirements later. |
| Entry-Level MSN — Fall 2026 | Rolling | If cohort not filled after Round 2, Metro State may admit on a rolling basis. |
| Prelicensure BSN | 2027 application packet | Department text indicates a 2027 application posted beginning April 2026 — confirm the live packet. |
| RN-to-BSN | Cohort entry | Fall, spring, and summer online cohorts; placement via CNHS advising after admission. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| GPA expectations | RN-to-BSN: cumulative ≥2.5. Prelicensure BSN: ≥2.75 on prerequisite groupings. ELMSN: cumulative ≥3.0 post-secondary plus ≥3.0 across science prerequisites. |
| TEAS / GRE | Prelicensure BSN requires ATI TEAS (minimum total 58.7). ELMSN page states GRE/TEAS not required. |
| Clinical experience requirement | Not used as a published gate for pre-licensure entry (pre-licensure students gain clinicals after admission); RN-to-BSN needs active RN license. |
Honest tips: If you pursue ELMSN, finish the four lab sciences early—the January priority date assumes they are complete. Prelicensure applicants should budget TEAS retakes and transcript repeats before the department reviews the most recent grades. RN-to-BSN students should confirm multistate license status if practicum crosses state lines.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Metro State publishes differential nursing tuition for Fall 2025–Spring 2026 on its Tuition and fees page. The university states it charges the same base tuition regardless of Minnesota residency, though Wisconsin and North Dakota residents must file reciprocity paperwork each term. All figures below come directly from that schedule unless noted.
| Metric | Value (Metro State schedule) |
|---|---|
| Nursing BSN courses (differential rate) | $385.25 per credit (Fall 2025 / Spring 2026 / Summer 2026 block). |
| Nursing MSN courses | $720.30 per credit. |
| Doctoral Nursing courses | $1,185.31 per credit. |
| Standard course fees | $42.30 per credit (all courses, including online). |
| Entry-Level MSN estimated total (2025–26 program disclosure) | Approximately $39,394.65 including tuition/fees plus ~$2,500 additional non-tuition clinical-related costs listed on the ELMSN page. |
| Cost of attendance estimate | Use Metro State financial aid cost of attendance for budgeted housing, food, and personal expenses. |
| Source | Metro State Tuition and fees; Entry-Level MSN program page. Confirm billed amounts each term. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
The most detailed public NCLEX-RN figures for Metro State are the Minnesota Board of Nursing 2022–2025 statistical PDF summarized in the NCLEX section. Metro State’s standalone licensure page adds a 90.2% nursing pass rate for 2021 test takers—use that only with the cited page, not as a substitute for Board tables.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time (2025, Board PDF) | 70.97% Baccalaureate row (n=31); 85.71% Master row (n=28)—MN Board statistical table. |
| Aggregate NCLEX-RN benchmark (MN, same report) | 85.12% across all Minnesota baccalaureate-or-higher RN programs in 2025 (n=1,721). |
| Metro State licensure disclosure (2021) | 90.2% nursing (Metro State Licensure Pass Rates page). |
| Job placement / employment rate | Not publicly disclosed on the pages reviewed; confirm graduate survey data with Career Services. |
| Source | MN Board statistical data; Metro State licensure pass rates. |
Is Metropolitan State University the Right Fit for You?
Choose Metro State if you want Minnesota State tuition transparency (no separate out-of-state rate), holistic-curriculum emphases, or a structured ELMSN for bachelor’s holders who refuse to repeat a second undergraduate degree before graduate study.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Value MANE dual admission or four-year prelicensure BSN rooted in Twin Cities clinical diversity.
- Need fully online RN-to-BSN progression with holistic and public-health practicum expectations.
- Are second-degree students targeting a CCNE-accredited ELMSN with NursingCAS deadlines already mapped out.
- Plan APRN training via DNP FNP or nurse anesthesia with the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia collaboration.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect every NCLEX cohort to track above the statewide aggregate—recent Board data show variability by year and table row.
- Need a private residential campus experience rather than Metro State’s urban commuter and blended model.
- Cannot meet ELMSN science GPA bars or NursingCAS logistics (international students should pad extra visa time).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Saint Paul and Minneapolis anchor one of the Upper Midwest’s largest clinical labor markets. Metro State’s Department of Nursing references regional partnerships across public health departments, school systems, federally qualified look-alike agencies, shelters, and multihospital systems—supporting community-health rotations as well as acute-care immersion.
| Setting | Examples & relevance |
|---|---|
| Major Twin Cities systems | M Health Fairview, Allina Health, HealthPartners, and Hennepin Healthcare are among the large employers sponsoring clinical rotations and hiring newly licensed RNs across the metro. |
| Public & community health | Ramsey County Public Health, Saint Paul Public Schools, and nonprofits such as the American Indian Family Center appear on Metro State’s clinical partner lists—aligned with the college’s population-health coursework. |
| Specialty graduate training | DNP nurse anesthesia students work with Minneapolis School of Anesthesia clinical sites spanning metro surgical and procedural teams. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing instruction clusters in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences with Saint Paul facilities such as Saint John’s Hall called out on the department contact page. Simulation, skills labs, and interdisciplinary study spaces support prelicensure and graduate clinical reasoning, while online RN-to-BSN learners engage asynchronously but retain access to Gateway Student Services and library resources downtown. Metro State’s broader student life emphasizes commuter convenience, parking-fee-supported ramps, and equity-oriented student programs consistent with its social-mobility rankings.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Saint Paul, MN
- Main campus address
- 700 East Seventh Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106, US
- Department phone
- 651-793-1375 (Department of Nursing hub)
- General university
- 651-793-1300
- CNHS advising
- cnhs.advising@metrostate.edu
- Graduate / ELMSN
- graduate.studies@metrostate.edu
- Website
- metrostate.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Bookmark the Department of Nursing hub and your exact program page (Pre-BSN, ELMSN, RN-to-BSN, or DNP).
- Download the Prelicensure application packet when posted and align prerequisites with Degree Audit / eServices.
- If you need ELMSN, create your NursingCAS account and order transcripts in time for the January or May priority dates.
- Schedule the ATI TEAS only if you are Prelicensure BSN—confirm minimum score 58.7 and retest policy.
- Attend a Metro Meet or ELMSN info session (dates listed on the calendar) to ask about cohort size and clinical geography.
- Review the Minnesota Board NCLEX PDF with an advisor to interpret Baccalaureate vs. Master rows for your pathway.
- Build a financial plan using the official tuition table and ELMSN estimated totals, then file FAFSA or state aid forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Metropolitan State University a good school for nursing?
Metro State’s Department of Nursing offers CCNE-accredited pathways from prelicensure BSN through DNP, emphasizes holistic endorsement on several tracks, and participates in MANE—signals that matter for access and graduate mobility. First-time NCLEX-RN results for Board-labeled “Baccalaureate” and “Master” rows fluctuate by year; compare the latest Minnesota Board PDF with statewide aggregates and confirm details with Metro State.
What first-time NCLEX-RN data does Minnesota publish for Metro State?
The 2022–2025 Minnesota Board PDF shows, for calendar 2025, 70.97% (31 testers) on the Baccalaureate line and 85.71% (28 testers) on the Master line. The statewide aggregate for all Minnesota baccalaureate-or-higher RN programs that year was 85.12%. Download newer PDFs from the Board’s Education Statistical Data page as they post.
How do I apply to the Metro State Entry-Level MSN?
Use NursingCAS; Round 1 for Fall 2026 was January 15, 2026, and Round 2 May 15, 2026, Central Time, with rolling seats afterward if space remains. You need a completed non-nursing bachelor’s, minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, 3.0 across the four lab sciences, and remaining prerequisites before matriculation. No GRE, TEAS, or recommendation letters per the posted requirements.
Does Metro State’s Prelicensure BSN require the TEAS?
Yes—ATI TEAS (current version) with a minimum total score of 58.7, plus 2.75 GPA rules on prerequisite groupings and cumulative GPA. Check Metro State’s TEAS page for registration and retake guidance.
What tuition should I budget for Metro State nursing courses?
For Fall 2025–Spring 2026, nursing BSN differential tuition is $385.25/credit, MSN nursing $720.30, doctoral nursing $1,185.31, plus $42.30 mandatory fees per credit. ELMSN publishes an illustrative total near $39,395 including additional clinical costs. Verify on eServices each term.
Is RN-to-BSN completely online at Metro State?
The RN-to-BSN page describes fully online asynchronous nursing courses with a five-semester part-time progression and a 45-hour community practicum. Confirm authorization if you live outside Minnesota.
What is MANE at Metro State?
The Minnesota Alliance for Nursing Education is a dual-admission collaboration between Metro State and partner community colleges so students can progress toward a BSN and NCLEX eligibility with part of the pathway at a partner school and completion options on the Saint Paul campus.
Where can I find Metro State nurse anesthesia details?
Metro State partners with the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia for the DNP nurse anesthesia concentration; clinical and admission specifics are split between Metro State’s DNP page and nurseanesthesia.org. Confirm interview and prerequisite expectations with both organizations.
Who advises Metro State nursing students?
College of Nursing and Health Sciences advising uses cnhs.advising@metrostate.edu; graduate studies lists graduate.studies@metrostate.edu for ELMSN questions; the Department hub lists 651-793-1375.
References
- Metropolitan State University — Department of Nursingmetrostate.edu/…/nursing
- Nursing Prelicensure BSNmetrostate.edu/…/prelicensure-bsn
- Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursingmetrostate.edu/…/nursing-entry-level-msn
- Nursing RN to BSNmetrostate.edu/…/nursing-rn-to-bsn
- Tuition and fees (Fall 2025–Spring 2026 block)metrostate.edu/finances/tuition
- Licensure Pass Rates — Metro Statemetrostate.edu/…/licensure-rates
- Minnesota Board of Nursing — Education Statistical Data (NCLEX-RN PDF 2022–2025)mn.gov/boards/nursing/…/education-statistical-data
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for Minnesota Board NCLEX table alignment, Metro State tuition-rate accuracy, and pathway-specific admission facts (TEAS vs. ELMSN requirements).
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Published: 2026-03-25 · Last reviewed: 2026-03-25 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy