Minnesota State University, Mankato Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Minnesota State University, Mankato (College of Allied Health and Nursing) runs a competitive pre-licensure BSN, a fully online RN baccalaureate completion program, MS Nurse Educator / Nurse Leader tracks (ACEN candidate—not full accreditation), and a CCNE-accredited DNP with FNP and post-master’s options. This guide cites MSU Mankato 2025–26 cost tables and the Minnesota Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN PDF (2022–2025)—confirm with MSU and the Board.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
MSU Mankato’s School of Nursing pairs the accredited Maverick Family Nursing Simulation Center with clinical experiences spanning south-central Minnesota and the Twin Cities. Pre-licensure students enter a ranked, limited-seat program (72 seats per cohort per published policy); working RNs can finish RN-BSN online with multiple start dates. MS Nurse Educator / Nurse Leader programs hold ACEN candidacy through Oct. 25, 2026—treat candidacy as not equivalent to full accreditation until you confirm an update from ACEN and the university.
Overview & Why Students Choose Minnesota State University, Mankato
Located in Mankato, Minnesota State University, Mankato is a public university in the Minnesota State system. The College of Allied Health and Nursing houses the School of Nursing, which delivers a family-focused pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (catalog-accurate degree name Nursing, BS), community-engaged initiatives such as Health Commons at Pond, and advanced pathways—including an online RN baccalaureate completion degree, MS tracks for nurse educators and leaders, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice with FNP and post-master’s options per the university’s nursing hub.
Use the MSU Mankato nursing programs page to map your entry point, then open the pre-licensure application & admission or RN completion materials for requirements that match your situation.
According to the Minnesota Board of Nursing Number and First-time Success Rate of NCLEX-RN Candidates Educated in Minnesota Professional Nursing Programs 2022–2025 (PDF), Minnesota State University, Mankato had a 92.79% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2025 with 111 first-time candidates. In the same PDF, the 2025 aggregate first-time pass rate for all Minnesota professional (baccalaureate-and-higher) RN programs was 85.12%. Confirm the latest cohort with the Minnesota Board of Nursing — Education Statistical Data and MSU Mankato.
Reasons students choose MSU Mankato
Public tuition tiers & reciprocity options
MSU publishes separate Mankato-campus and fully online per-credit rates for 2025–2026, including reciprocity rows for neighboring states on the undergraduate chart—compare total cost after residency rules with Cost per Credit.
CCNE-accredited BSN & DNP core
MSU states pre-licensure BSN, RN baccalaureate completion, and DNP are CCNE-accredited; MS Nurse Educator / Nurse Leader are ACEN candidates (effective Oct. 25, 2024)—candidacy expires Oct. 25, 2026 unless extended or elevated to full accreditation.
Maverick Family Nursing Simulation Center
The school highlights an accredited simulation center for high-acuity, low-frequency scenarios before students transition to live patient care.
Clinical reach across Greater Minnesota & metro
Pre-licensure materials describe rotations in urban and rural settings, including the Twin Cities and south-central Minnesota—confirm current contracts on the clinical partnerships page.
Clear pre-licensure ranking rubric
Applicants know 50% core GPA / 25% TEAS / 25% interview drives ranking and how many seats are offered—useful for realistic planning (see admissions section).
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below mirrors Minnesota State University, Mankato marketing and catalog year 2025–2026 headings: Nursing program hub (mnsu.edu). Grouping follows project rules—pre-licensure first, then post-licensure, then graduate and doctoral.
Pre-licensure (NCLEX-RN intent)
Nursing, Bachelor of Science (Traditional BSN)
Four-year-style progression with a family-focused curriculum, simulation, and diverse clinical sites; designed for students seeking first RN licensure via NCLEX-RN. CCNE-accredited per MSU. Catalog lists prerequisite, support, and nursing major courses through NURS 458 Professional Role Integration.
Post-licensure
RN Baccalaureate Completion, Bachelor of Science
100% online RN-to-BSN completion; rolling admission with multiple starts; MSU lists guaranteed admission for qualified candidates and 8- or 16-week course options. CCNE-accredited per MSU.
Graduate (MS)
Advanced Professional Nurse, MS — Nurse Educator
Online program for BS-prepared nurses; prepares graduates for the CNE exam per MSU. ACEN candidate effective Oct. 25, 2024; candidacy expires Oct. 25, 2026. Candidacy is not accreditation—confirm status with ACEN and MSU.
Advanced Professional Nurse, MS — Nurse Leader
Online leadership/administration track for BS-prepared nurses; same ACEN candidacy window and disclaimer as Nurse Educator.
Doctoral
Nursing Practice, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
MSU offers BSN-to-DNP — Family Nurse Practitioner and a Post-Master’s DNP track for certified APRNs; CCNE-accredited per the nursing hub. Confirm plan of study and clinical residency expectations in the DNP catalog entry.
The official nursing program list reviewed for this guide does not advertise an ADN or a distinct Accelerated BSN (ABSN) for second-degree students. If you need those pathways, compare related Minnesota programs or confirm with MSU advising.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
The Minnesota Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for Minnesota professional (baccalaureate-and-higher) nursing programs in one table. Minnesota State University, Mankato appears as a single program row—this reporting reflects school-level first-time testers from that institution, not separate breakout of RN-BSN graduates versus traditional BSN unless the Board publishes a narrower view.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 2025 — first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (MSU Mankato, professional nursing programs table) | 92.79% (111 first-time candidates), per Minnesota Board of Nursing PDF |
| 2024 | 96.49% (114 candidates) |
| 2023 | 82.41% (108 candidates) |
| 2022 | 72.34% (94 candidates) |
| 2025 — Minnesota aggregate (all professional RN programs, same PDF) | 85.12% first-time pass (statewide aggregate) |
| Source | Minnesota Board of Nursing — NCLEX-RN Professional Nursing Programs 2022–2025 (PDF); Education Statistical Data. Confirm current data with the Minnesota Board of Nursing and MSU Mankato. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and class size. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the Minnesota Board of Nursing and Minnesota State University, Mankato.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
International and foreign-educated applicants must satisfy general university admissions, School of Nursing pre-licensure English proficiency minimums when applicable (see application & admission), and any F-1 clinical placement constraints. This section is guidance only—not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: MSU pre-licensure materials list minimum TOEFL iBT 84 (with speaking 26), TOEFL PBT 560, or IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each module—confirm current documentation requirements.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow MSU International Admissions and nursing program instructions for international coursework.
- Minnesota Board of Nursing: For licensure and NCLEX eligibility with foreign education, review Minnesota Board requirements.
- Visa & clinical compliance: Confirm whether your visa status allows required in-person clinical hours for pre-licensure students.
Policies change frequently. Verify with MSU’s international student office, the School of Nursing, and the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Pre-licensure BSN admission is separate from general university admission and is competitive—meeting minimums does not guarantee acceptance. Deadlines fall on the third Friday of fall and spring semesters; the site listed Friday, January 30, 2026 at 12:00 PM for one cycle when reviewed. Applicants submit the program application, complete the in-person TEAS (online-proctored scores not accepted per MSU), and participate in a group interview. See Application & Admission.
RN baccalaureate completion, MS, and DNP applicants follow graduate or extended-campus processes—use the program-specific catalog pages and Graduate Studies for doctoral deadlines.
Application timeline (pre-licensure)
| Cycle | Application window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall nursing start | Apply in January; packet posted Nov. 15 | TEAS in January; interviews February; notifications ~mid-March per MSU timeline. |
| Spring nursing start | Apply in September; packet posted May 1 | TEAS in August; interviews Sept./Oct.; notifications ~end of October. |
| RN-BSN online | RN completion hub | Rolling admission with multiple starts—confirm prerequisite RN licensure and policies. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed as a percentage; MSU admits the top 72 ranked applicants per pool. |
| Minimum / typical GPA | 3.0 cumulative minimum; admitted averages ~3.4–3.6 core prerequisite GPA (school-published planning data). |
| ATI TEAS | Required—counts for 25% of rank; no minimum score listed, but averages near 77–78% on total TEAS per MSU admission data page. |
| CNA / clearance | Full admission requires active CNA registry listing, completed support prerequisites, and Minnesota Department of Health background clearance wording as posted. |
Honest tip: Because 50% of your rank is core prerequisite GPA, prioritize BIOL 201/202, CHEM 111, ENG 101, KSP 235, and STAT 154 grades before applying—MSU lists these as core prerequisites that must be complete at application.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Rates below come from Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Undergraduate Cost per Credit Chart (2025–2026), Graduate Student Cost of Attendance summary, and Graduate Cost per Credit. Housing, food, books, course-specific fees, and non-resident surcharges are additional—use Campus Hub for your residency band.
| Category | Published 2025–2026 highlights |
|---|---|
| Mankato campus undergraduate (MN & reciprocity, 1–12 credits) | $352.80 tuition + $48.19 fees per credit; 13+ credit band lists $4,511.70 tuition + $628.12 fees (same chart). |
| Mankato campus undergraduate (non-reciprocity out-of-state, not classified as online learner) | $758.90 tuition + $48.19 fees per credit for 1–12 credits; higher banded totals apply at 13+ per chart. |
| Fully online bachelor completion (includes MSU’s online RN-BSN row) | $367.90 tuition + $35.89 fees per credit per Fully Online Programs table. |
| MS Advanced Professional Nurse (estimated academic-year tuition & fees) | $11,309 for MS Advanced Professional Nurse line at 9 graduate credits/semester (fall + spring)—MN and non-MN rows match on the graduate COA table reviewed. |
| Online graduate MS APN per-credit (parallel detail) | $592.40 tuition + $35.89 fees per credit for Master of Science Advanced Professional Nurse on the Fully Online graduate chart. |
| DNP and other campus-based graduate credits | Many campus graduate programs use the “All Other Graduate Programs” row—$548.00 (MN) / $795.00 (non-MN) tuition per credit plus student fees—confirm your DNP modality with Campus Hub. |
| Source | MSU — Undergraduate cost per credit; MSU — Graduate cost of attendance; MSU — Graduate per-credit chart. |
Submit the FAFSA and review MSU paying for college resources. Pre-licensure students can explore School of Nursing scholarship listings linked from the program site.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Pair MSU Mankato locations with Minnesota Board of Nursing NCLEX reporting for pre-licensure outcomes. For salary and placement statistics, prefer the BLS Registered Nurses occupational profile or school consumer information if MSU publishes a current, cited disclosure—avoid unsourced salary claims.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (first-time, professional programs table, MSU Mankato) | 92.79% in 2025 (111 first-time candidates), per Minnesota Board of Nursing PDF cited in NCLEX-RN Pass Rate |
| Program outcomes pages | MSU links RN completion program outcomes and pre-licensure program outcomes—confirm whether employment or certification data is posted for your pathway. |
| Source | Minnesota Board of Nursing NCLEX PDF; MSU School of Nursing pages linked above. |
Is Minnesota State University, Mankato the Right Fit for You?
MSU Mankato blends a regional public campus experience with metro-adjacent clinical opportunities and a growing online portfolio for RNs and select MS students. Use the checklist below to weigh whether the competitive pre-licensure model and MS ACEN candidacy status align with your timeline and risk tolerance.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a CCNE-accredited pre-licensure BSN within the Minnesota State system and can meet 3.0+ GPA and TEAS ranking expectations.
- Value simulation at the Maverick Family Nursing Simulation Center and rotations that include south-central Minnesota and the Twin Cities.
- Are licensed RNs needing a fully online RN-BSN with flexible session lengths.
- Are pursuing DNP-FNP or post-master’s DNP milestones from a program that advertises CCNE accreditation at the doctoral level.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a guaranteed pre-licensure seat—MSU caps each pool at 72 admits.
- Require fully online pre-licensure nursing (MSU requires in-person TEAS and campus-tied clinical compliance for that track).
- Need an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited completed MS before 2026 without verifying candidacy progression—Educator/Leader MS tracks are ACEN candidates as of review.
- Expect a large R1 research university environment—MSU Mankato is a regional doctoral institution with different scale and funding profile.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Mankato anchors Blue Earth County health services, while the School of Nursing advertises clinical experiences that extend into the Twin Cities and rural communities across south-central Minnesota. Major systems that commonly collaborate with Minnesota nursing programs (confirm MSU’s current contracts) include Mayo Clinic Health System facilities in the region, Allina Health, and M Health Fairview networks, alongside community hospitals and public health agencies.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic Health System (regional campuses) | Provides inpatient and ambulatory services in southern Minnesota—verify whether your MSU rotation list includes specific Mayo-affiliated sites. |
| M Health Fairview & Allina Health | Large integrated networks that may host specialty experiences for students placed in the metro corridor. |
| Community & rural hospitals | South-central Minnesota community hospitals often anchor med-surg and critical access learning—ideal if you want smaller-site exposure. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
MSU Mankato highlights the Maverick Family Nursing Simulation Center, the Glen Taylor Nursing Institute for Family and Society, and community initiatives such as Health Commons at Pond. Student organizations referenced on the School of Nursing site include the Student Nursing Association and the Mu Lambda Chapter of Sigma. Campus life follows a mid-size public university rhythm—confirm housing, student government, and wellness resources through University Life.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Mankato, Minnesota
- Official USPS address
- Minnesota State University, Mankato, 228 Wiecking Center, Mankato, MN 56001-6062, US
- School of Nursing advising
- (507) 389-6022 · Nursing.Advising@mnsu.edu
- Campus Hub (financial & billing)
- (507) 389-1866 · campushub@mnsu.edu
- Undergraduate admissions
- (507) 389-1822 · admissions@mnsu.edu
- Website
- mnsu.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the current pre-licensure application packet (posted Nov. 15 / May 1) or RN completion instructions.
- Map your transcripts to core vs support prerequisites and calculate your competitive GPA.
- Register for an in-person TEAS session and review MSU’s retake and transcript policies.
- Estimate cost using your residency / reciprocity row on the MSU cost-per-credit charts.
- Bookmark the Minnesota Board NCLEX PDFs for year-over-year comparisons.
- If graduate-bound, confirm whether your MS track is ACEN candidate vs CCNE DNP and what that means for employers or future doctoral study.
- Email Nursing.Advising@mnsu.edu with scenario-specific questions after reading the FAQ PDF linked on MSU’s site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degrees does Minnesota State University, Mankato nursing offer?
MSU Mankato lists a pre-licensure Nursing BS, an online RN Baccalaureate Completion BS, online MS Nurse Educator / Nurse Leader programs (ACEN candidate), and a CCNE-accredited DNP with FNP and post-master’s options. Confirm tracks on mnsu.edu/programs/nursing.
What is the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for MSU Mankato?
According to the Minnesota Board of Nursing PDF NCLEX-RN … Professional Nursing Programs 2022–2025, Minnesota State University, Mankato posted 92.79% first-time in 2025 with 111 candidates. Confirm updates via the Education Statistical Data page.
How much is tuition at MSU Mankato for nursing students (2025–26)?
Use the official tables: Mankato campus undergraduates pay $352.80 + $48.19 fees/credit (MN/reciprocity, 1–12 credits) or the listed band at 13+; fully online RN-BSN uses $367.90 + $35.89 fees/credit. MS Advanced Professional Nurse estimated year cost is $11,309 at 9 credits/semester on the graduate COA summary.
Does MSU Mankato require TEAS for nursing?
Yes for pre-licensure—TEAS contributes 25% of the admission rank; MSU does not accept online-proctored attempts for its process. Review timing and policies on the Application & Admission page.
How hard is it to get into MSU Mankato pre-licensure nursing?
MSU admits the top 72 applicants each cycle using 50% core GPA / 25% TEAS / 25% interview. Minimum cumulative GPA is 3.0. Plan against the published average admitted metrics (~3.4–3.6 core GPA, TEAS ~77–78%).
Is MSU Mankato’s Nurse Educator MS accredited?
MSU lists ACEN candidacy from Oct. 25, 2024 through Oct. 25, 2026. Candidacy is not accreditation—verify progression to initial accreditation with ACEN and MSU before you rely on it for employment requirements.
Does Minnesota State Mankato offer an Accelerated BSN?
The nursing hub reviewed for this guide does not market a standalone ABSN—confirm with advising if policy changes.
Where are clinical sites for MSU Mankato nursing?
MSU describes partnerships across south-central Minnesota and the Twin Cities—see clinical & community partnerships for the latest overview.
When are MSU Mankato nursing application deadlines?
Pre-licensure deadlines are the third Friday of each semester, with packets posted November 15 (fall start) and May 1 (spring start). The page listed Jan. 30, 2026 for one cycle—always verify the live PDF.
Who do I contact for MSU Mankato nursing advising?
Email Nursing.Advising@mnsu.edu or call (507) 389-6022; general admissions (507) 389-1822.
References
- Minnesota State University, Mankato — Nursing programsmnsu.edu/programs/nursing
- MSU Mankato — Pre-licensure application & admissionahn.mnsu.edu/…/application-admission
- MSU Mankato — Academic catalog, Nursing (BS)mnsu.edu/academic-catalog/undergraduate/nursing-bs
- MSU Mankato — Undergraduate cost per credit chartmnsu.edu/…/undergraduate-cost-per-credit-chart
- MSU Mankato — Graduate student cost of attendancemnsu.edu/…/graduate-student-cost-of-attendance
- MSU Mankato — Graduate cost per credit & student feesmnsu.edu/…/graduate-cost-per-credit-chart-student-fees
- Minnesota Board of Nursing — Education Statistical Datamn.gov/boards/nursing/education/education-statistical-data
- Minnesota Board of Nursing — NCLEX-RN Professional Nursing Programs (2022–2025 PDF)2022-2025_RN_NCLEX PDF
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses
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 alignment between Minnesota State University, Mankato program scope (pre-licensure BSN, RN-BSN online, MS nurse educator/leader candidacy, CCNE DNP), MSU 2025–26 cost tables, and NCLEX figures from Minnesota Board of Nursing statistical PDFs.
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: March 25, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 25, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy