St. Catherine University Nursing Review (2026): Programs, Costs & NCLEX-RN Data
St. Catherine University (“St. Kate’s”) in St. Paul, Minnesota, runs nursing through the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health with College for Women and College for Adults BSN pathways, a graduate Entry-Level MSN, RN-to-BSN, and DNP nurse practitioner tracks. This guide cites the 2026–27 Student Accounts tuition tables and the Minnesota Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN PDF (2022–2025)—confirm every figure with St. Kate’s and the Board.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
St. Kate’s I-SAIL simulation and interprofessional education, a women’s college heritage paired with inclusive CFA/graduate pathways, and a Twin Cities clinical footprint anchor its nursing identity. Pre-licensure students can choose on-campus College for Women BSN, hybrid College for Adults BSN (accelerated or part-time), or Entry-Level MSN; RNs can stack RN-to-BSN toward MSN or DNP. Confirm mission fit, faith context, and cohort capacity with the School of Nursing and ACEN.
Overview & Why Students Choose St. Catherine University
On Randolph Avenue in St. Paul, St. Catherine University anchors one of the region’s largest private nursing programs across the College for Women, College for Adults, and Graduate College. The School of Nursing emphasizes multicultural care, social justice, and holistic practice—undergraduate nursing is also AHNCC-endorsed per the university. Students access I-SAIL simulation and interprofessional scenarios before and alongside Twin Cities clinical rotations.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) maps to St. Kate’s College for Adults BSN, which offers an accelerated (~21-month) nursing major option with hybrid online classes and weekly on-campus labs. Entry-Level MSN offers another graduate-entry route to NCLEX-RN. Map your entry type to the correct admissions office: College for Women, College for Adults, or Graduate College.
According to the Minnesota Board of Nursing Number and First-time Success Rate of NCLEX-RN Candidates Educated in Minnesota Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Nursing Programs 2022–2025 (PDF), St. Catherine University, Baccalaureate had an 84.35% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2025 (115 first-time candidates). The same PDF lists St. Catherine University, Master (entry-level MSN cohorts) at 77.78% in 2025 (36 candidates). Aggregate first-time pass for all Minnesota baccalaureate-and-higher programs was 85.12% in 2025. Confirm the latest tables via Minnesota Board of Nursing — Education Statistical Data and St. Kate’s outcomes page.
Reasons students choose St. Kate’s
Multiple pre-licensure doors
Students can pursue traditional on-campus BSN, hybrid CFA BSN (accelerated or part-time), or Entry-Level MSN—each leads to NCLEX-RN eligibility with different pacing and delivery.
ACEN-accredited nursing portfolio
St. Catherine states baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP nursing programs are accredited by ACEN—verify renewal dates with the university and ACEN.
I-SAIL simulation & IPE
The Institute of Simulation and Interprofessional Learning pairs high-fidelity simulation with interprofessional education; the university announced international simulation accreditation for the program in 2025.
Twin Cities clinical depth
St. Kate’s markets a wide clinical partner network across metro hospitals and community sites—see the published clinical sites overview and confirm active contracts for your cohort.
RN progression to MSN/DNP
Licensed RNs can move from RN-to-BSN into RN-BSN-MSN dual enrollment, Accelerated RN-MSN, or doctoral NP tracks listed on the School of Nursing site.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below mirrors the School of Nursing program menu on stkate.edu (Henrietta Schmoll School of Health). Programs are grouped into pre-licensure (first RN license), post-licensure completion (RN-to-BSN and bridges), and graduate/APRN (MSN, DNP, certificates).
Pre-licensure (first NCLEX-RN)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (College for Women)
On-campus undergraduate BSN with first-year guaranteed admission for qualified students per St. Kate’s. Prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN and emphasizes holistic, equity-focused nursing.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (College for Adults)
Hybrid online coursework with weekly evening labs/simulation in St. Paul. St. Kate’s lists accelerated (~21 months) and part-time (~31 months) nursing major options and 50 credits for the major (47 for LPN advanced-placement paths per the program page).
Master of Science in Nursing: Entry Level
Graduate-entry pathway that culminates in RN licensure eligibility (NCLEX-RN). Minnesota Board of Nursing reports Entry-Level MSN testers under the “St. Catherine University, Master” row—distinct from BSN outcomes.
Post-licensure completion & bridges
RN-to-BSN & dual enrollment
RN-to-BSN completion and RN-BSN-MSN dual-degree options are listed for College for Adults. Accelerated RN-MSN appears in the graduate menu for RNs seeking an expedited master’s trajectory—confirm prerequisites with graduate admissions.
Graduate (MSN, DNP, certificates)
MSN tracks (non-NP)
Includes Data Analytics, Nurse Educator, Nursing Business Management, and Nursing Informatics as listed on the School of Nursing page—delivery and credit loads vary by track.
DNP Nurse Practitioner programs
St. Kate’s lists DNP tracks such as Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Family, Neonatal, Pediatric Primary Care, and Psychiatric-Mental Health nurse practitioner options, plus Post-Master’s DNP.
Post-graduate APRN certificates
Post-graduate certificates align with several NP populations (e.g., AGNP, FNP, NNP, PNP, PMHNP) per the graduate listings—intended for master’s-prepared nurses adding population foci.
St. Catherine’s former associate nursing program ended after the last cohort in December 2017 per the university’s nursing accreditation disclosures—this guide focuses on current baccalaureate-and-higher pathways. Always confirm active status in the academic catalog.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
The Minnesota Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN success rates for Minnesota baccalaureate and higher-degree programs. St. Catherine University appears on two rows: Baccalaureate (BSN-level pre-licensure) and Master (entry-level MSN pre-licensure). The Board does not split College for Women vs. College for Adults testers in the public table.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| St. Catherine University, Baccalaureate — 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN | 84.35% (97 of 115 first-time candidates passed), per Minnesota Board of Nursing PDF |
| Baccalaureate — 2024 | 90.76% (108 of 119) |
| Baccalaureate — 2023 | 87.72% (100 of 114) |
| Baccalaureate — 2022 | 68.18% (75 of 110) |
| St. Catherine University, Master — 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN | 77.78% (28 of 36), same PDF (entry-level MSN cohorts) |
| Master — 2024 | 89.06% (57 of 64) |
| Master — 2023 | 96.77% (60 of 62) |
| Master — 2022 | 80.65% (50 of 62) |
| 2025 — Minnesota aggregate (all baccalaureate & higher degree RN programs) | 85.12% first-time pass (statewide) |
| Source | Minnesota Board of Nursing — NCLEX-RN Baccalaureate & Higher Degree Programs 2022–2025 (PDF); Education Statistical Data. Confirm current cohorts with the Board and St. Catherine University. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and class size. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the Minnesota Board of Nursing and St. Kate’s nursing outcomes disclosures.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
St. Catherine welcomes international applicants through International Students resources. Nursing adds clinical clearance, background checks, and Minnesota Board of Nursing requirements beyond general admission. Use the checklist below as orientation only—this is not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent minimums with the admissions office for your college (CFW, CFA, or Graduate).
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow St. Kate’s international admissions steps for prerequisite and degree verification.
- Minnesota Board of Nursing: For RN licensure and NCLEX eligibility, review Minnesota’s licensure-by-examination rules for internationally educated applicants.
- Visa & clinical placement: Hybrid and campus-intensive nursing pathways may affect F-1 practical training planning—confirm with International Programs and the School of Nursing.
Policies change frequently. Verify with St. Catherine’s international office, nursing admissions, and the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
St. Kate’s runs parallel admissions systems: College for Women nursing emphasizes competitive progression with published first-year guaranteed admission for eligible students; College for Adults pre-nursing students complete prerequisites before a Fall or Spring nursing major start; Graduate Entry-Level MSN applicants follow Graduate College requirements. Always use the checklist for your college—not another pathway’s instructions.
Application timeline
| Program | Where to start | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| College for Women BSN | CFW first-year instructions | Review catalog nursing prerequisites and progression policies; schedule visits via St. Kate’s admission portal. |
| College for Adults BSN | CFA application instructions | Students begin as Pre-Nursing; nursing major starts Fall or Spring per program overview. |
| Entry-Level MSN & graduate nursing | Graduate admission | Confirm science prerequisites, GPA, and any entrance exam requirements on the specific program page. |
| RN-to-BSN / RN-BSN-MSN | RN-to-BSN program | RN licensure required; confirm transcript evaluation and pacing options. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Typical GPA range | Not publicly disclosed—confirm minimums for your pathway in the current catalog or admissions FAQ. |
| TEAS / HESI / other exams | Not publicly disclosed in the excerpts used for this guide—confirm whether an entrance exam applies to your cohort. |
Honest tips: Because St. Kate’s offers multiple pre-licensure doors, align letters and essays with the specific pathway (CFW residential learning vs. CFA hybrid employment-friendly pacing vs. graduate entry). Document healthcare exposure and leadership in community or social-justice contexts—the School of Nursing foregrounds equity-centered practice.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Figures below come from St. Catherine University’s Student Accounts — 2026–2027 Tuition Rates (effective Summer 2026, including Summer 2026). Private universities generally bill the same tuition tier regardless of Minnesota residency for a given program—confirm your assigned college (CFW, CFA, Graduate) on your offer letter.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| College for Women — 12–18 credit band (entering fall 2021+) | $26,944 per semester (2026–27 table) |
| College for Women — credits 1–11 (below band) | $1,684 per credit |
| College for Women — credits over 18 | Banded amount plus $1,684 per credit over 18 |
| College for Adults — Nursing Entry Level & Radiation Therapy | $525 per credit |
| College for Adults — RN-BSN | $475 per credit |
| Graduate — M.S. in Nursing: Entry Level | $995 per credit |
| Graduate — DNP Nurse Practitioner (all tracks) | $1,200 per credit |
| Nursing program fee (per term, excl. RN-BSN) | $700 College for Adults; $600 College for Women (2026–27 fee table) |
| Technology fee | $300 per term (includes Summer) per Student Accounts |
| Source | St. Catherine University — Student Accounts & Tuition Rates; Cost of Attendance. Confirm totals with Student Accounts. |
Submit the FAFSA and review Financial Aid. St. Kate’s also advertises selective awards such as the Bridge to Care Nurse Scholarship for new CFA BSN accelerated students who commit to rural or medically underserved practice—confirm deadlines on the official scholarship page.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
The table pairs Minnesota Board of Nursing NCLEX data with school-reported graduation and employment figures from St. Kate’s Nursing Accreditation / Student Outcomes page (graduation years 2022–2024). Employment percentages are attributed to the university’s outcomes tables—confirm the latest cohort definitions with St. Kate’s.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time — Baccalaureate row (MN BON PDF) | 84.35% in 2025 (115 candidates); see NCLEX section for multi-year history |
| NCLEX-RN first-time — Master row (entry-level MSN) | 77.78% in 2025 (36 candidates) |
| BSN employment as an RN (school-reported, graduation year 2024) | St. Kate’s reports 100% employment as an RN for the 2024 graduation year in its combined College for Women & College for Adults BSN table—confirm methodology and newer cohorts on the nursing accreditation page. |
| BSN employment — 3-year average (2022–2024, school-reported) | 96% average employment as an RN per the same outcomes disclosure |
| Source | Minnesota Board of Nursing NCLEX PDF; St. Catherine — Nursing Student Outcomes. Confirm current rates with the Board and the school. |
Is St. Catherine University the Right Fit for You?
St. Kate’s blends Catholic women’s college roots with inclusive CFA and graduate pathways, intensive simulation, and metro-wide clinical access. Use the checklist below to weigh whether the model matches your learning style and career goals.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Value social justice, holistic care, and equity explicitly woven into nursing curricula.
- Want choice among on-campus CFW BSN, hybrid CFA BSN, or Entry-Level MSN for first RN licensure.
- Plan to work in the Twin Cities or greater Minnesota and want a school with deep regional employer ties.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a fully online pre-licensure program without weekly campus labs—CFA BSN still requires regular St. Paul attendance.
- Prefer the lowest public in-state sticker—compare net price after aid to Minnesota State universities and community colleges.
- Want a large co-ed residential nursing program only—evaluate whether CFW’s women’s college experience aligns with your expectations.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
St. Paul and Minneapolis anchor a dense cluster of academic medical centers, community hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and county public health agencies. St. Kate’s markets a broad clinical partner network; illustrative systems students encounter across the metro often include M Health Fairview, Allina Health, HealthPartners, Children’s Minnesota, Hennepin Healthcare, and North Memorial Health—confirm your assigned sites with the School of Nursing.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| M Health Fairview | Major academic-community network; high-acuity learning opportunities—rotation availability varies by cohort. |
| Allina Health & HealthPartners | Integrated delivery systems spanning urban and suburban care settings. |
| Community & public health | County public health, clinics, and long-term care partners support population-health competencies aligned with St. Kate’s mission. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
St. Kate’s School of Nursing integrates I-SAIL simulation with interprofessional coursework, and the university highlights @stkatesnursing social communities for prospective students. Campus life includes broader student activities, athletics, arts programming, and spirituality offerings consistent with its Catholic mission. Nursing students should also review essential abilities documentation required for pre-licensure continuation—linked from the nursing program pages.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- St. Paul, Minnesota
- Address
- 2004 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105, US
- Telephone
- (651) 690-6000 (main)
- College for Women admission
- (651) 690-8850 (listed on St. Kate’s nursing program page)
- Website
- stkate.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Open the School of Nursing hub and identify whether you are applying CFW, CFA, or Graduate.
- Download the relevant nursing catalog section for prerequisites, essential abilities, and progression rules.
- Compare your transcripts to prerequisite lists and note any science or statistics gaps.
- Review 2026–27 tuition & fee tables plus the cost of attendance budget lines.
- Bookmark the Minnesota Board of Nursing Education Statistical Data page for updated NCLEX PDFs.
- Attend a St. Kate’s nursing information session or request a visit if you are exploring CFW.
- Draft questions about clinical scheduling, hybrid expectations, and financial aid for your admissions counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does St. Catherine University list?
The School of Nursing page includes CFW BSN, CFA BSN (accelerated or part-time), Entry-Level MSN, RN-to-BSN, RN-BSN-MSN, Accelerated RN-MSN, multiple MSN tracks, DNP NP programs, post-masters DNP, and post-graduate NP certificates. Confirm titles on stkate.edu School of Nursing.
What are St. Catherine University’s NCLEX-RN pass rates on the Minnesota Board report?
The 2022–2025 baccalaureate-and-higher PDF lists St. Catherine University, Baccalaureate at 84.35% first-time in 2025 (115 candidates) and St. Catherine University, Master at 77.78% (36 candidates). Confirm updates via Minnesota Board of Nursing Education Statistical Data.
What tuition does St. Kate’s publish for nursing in 2026–27?
Student Accounts lists $26,944/semester for the College for Women 12–18 credit band, $525/credit for College for Adults Nursing Entry Level, $475/credit for RN-BSN, $995/credit for Entry-Level MSN, and $1,200/credit for DNP NP tracks—plus nursing program, technology, and other fees. See Student Accounts.
Does St. Catherine require the TEAS for nursing?
This guide does not quote a TEAS requirement without a verified catalog excerpt for your pathway. Confirm with the admissions office for CFW, CFA, or Graduate Entry-Level MSN.
How long is the College for Adults accelerated BSN at St. Kate’s?
The CFA Nursing page lists an accelerated nursing major option at about 21 months and a part-time track around 31 months, hybrid online with weekly St. Paul labs.
Where do St. Catherine nursing students complete clinicals?
St. Kate’s references a wide Twin Cities clinical partner network and publishes clinical site information through Henrietta Schmoll School of Health resources—confirm your rotation plan with the School of Nursing.
Is St. Catherine nursing CCNE- or ACEN-accredited?
St. Catherine University states ACEN accredits its baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP nursing programs. Confirm status with the university and ACEN.
Does St. Catherine offer RN-to-BSN?
Yes—the School of Nursing lists RN-to-BSN under College for Adults alongside the RN-BSN-MSN dual enrollment option. Delivery details are on the official RN-to-BSN program page.
How do I contact St. Catherine about nursing admissions?
Use the College for Women, College for Adults, or Graduate admission hubs. Main university telephone: (651) 690-6000; College for Women nursing page also lists (651) 690-8850.
What is different about the Entry-Level MSN vs. BSN at St. Kate’s?
Both prepare first-time NCLEX-RN candidates, but the Entry-Level MSN is a graduate-entry curriculum reported separately on the Minnesota Board Master row. Compare prerequisites, time-to-completion, and pricing tiers before you apply.
References
- St. Catherine University — School of Nursingstkate.edu/academics/hssh/school-of-nursing
- St. Catherine University — College for Women Nursingstkate.edu/…/cfw-nursing
- St. Catherine University — College for Adults Nursingstkate.edu/…/cfa-nursing
- St. Catherine University — Student Accounts & Tuitionstkate.edu/academics/student-accounts
- St. Catherine University — Nursing Accreditation & Outcomesstkate.edu/accreditation/…/nursing-ac
- Minnesota Board of Nursing — Education Statistical Datamn.gov/boards/nursing/education/education-statistical-data
- Minnesota Board of Nursing — NCLEX-RN Baccalaureate & Higher (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 St. Catherine’s School of Nursing program list, 2026–27 Student Accounts tuition tables, Minnesota Board of Nursing NCLEX PDF rows (Baccalaureate vs. Master), and nursing accreditation disclosures.
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