University of Minnesota School of Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Minnesota’s flagship nursing school on the Twin Cities campus pairs a research-intensive faculty with two pre-licensure pathways—Traditional BSN and a 16-month Master of Nursing for career changers—plus CCNE-accredited DNP and PhD programs. NCLEX-RN outcomes below come from Minnesota Board of Nursing statistical tables; tuition bands come from University of Minnesota One Stop (2025–26).
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
UMN runs two distinct pre-licensure tracks that both lead to NCLEX-RN eligibility: a Traditional BSN (freshmen on Twin Cities, transfers at Rochester) and a 16-month Master of Nursing for students who already hold a bachelor’s in another field—backed by 250+ clinical partners and deep Twin Cities academic medical center access.
Overview & Why Students Choose UMN Nursing
Founded in 1909, the University of Minnesota School of Nursing describes itself as the first nursing program established within a university and today educates students amid the Twin Cities’ major academic medical centers. Public-facing materials highlight national research funding, interdisciplinary collaboratories, and strengths in doctorate-level nursing education—including the first DNP tracks in nurse anesthesia, nursing informatics, health innovation and leadership, and integrative health and healing, per the school’s “at a glance” profile.
Applicants can enter pre-licensure nursing either through the undergraduate BSN or the graduate-entry Master of Nursing; licensed RNs can pursue the post-baccalaureate DNP, and research-oriented students can target the PhD. The school also promotes a Doctoral Education Pathway for American Indian/Alaska Native nurses.
Minnesota’s Board of Nursing publishes separate lines for University of Minnesota, Baccalaureate and University of Minnesota, Master first-time NCLEX-RN candidates. The BSN program page cites a 93% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024, which aligns with rounding the Board’s 92.59% Baccalaureate figure (135 testers) from the same year. Confirm newer cohorts in the Board PDF and with the school.
Reasons students choose the University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Dual pre-licensure design
Traditional BSN students study on the Twin Cities campus while transfer cohorts complete the BSN in Rochester; career changers can choose the 16-month Master of Nursing without repeating a second bachelor’s degree.
Scale of clinical partners
The Master of Nursing page reports partnerships with more than 250 health and community organizations spanning hospitals, clinics, and population-health settings across the region.
Nationally visible doctoral programs
School materials cite a #4 U.S. News & World Report ranking (2025) for its DNP portfolio and a #8 ranking for the midwifery track—useful context if graduate nursing is your long-term goal (rankings are publisher methodology–dependent).
Research intensity
The school publicizes robust NIH funding and research centers focused on whole-person health, indigenous nurse leadership, and chronic disease—assets for students who want exposure to practice innovation and evidence development.
Public tuition transparency
As part of the University of Minnesota System, students can reference Board of Regents–approved tuition bands on One Stop, including differentiated School of Nursing rates for MN and DNP coursework.
Nursing Programs Offered
The School of Nursing homepage currently showcases four degree programs—BSN, Master of Nursing, DNP, and PhD—and advertises supplemental initiatives such as post-graduate DNP specialty certificates and integrative-health graduate certificates on One Stop. The overview below sticks to those core degrees as described on nursing.umn.edu.
Pre-licensure (NCLEX-RN preparation)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Traditional BSN)
CCNE-accredited BSN with freshman admission on the Twin Cities campus. Transfer students who enter the nursing major attend University of Minnesota Rochester. The BSN page reports that 92% of students complete on schedule (school-reported progression metric).
Master of Nursing (MN)
Accelerated, full-time, 16-month pathway for applicants who already hold a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field; includes summer enrollment, daytime on-campus classes, and about 500 practicum hours. Graduates are eligible for NCLEX-RN and Minnesota public-health nursing certification, per the program’s overview.
Post-licensure & graduate nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
For RNs with entry-level nursing degrees who want advanced practice or systems leadership preparation. DNP students attend a one-week on-campus intensive each semester; post-baccalaureate plans span three- or four-year options. Specialty titles (FNP, midwifery, informatics, etc.) are listed on the DNP academics site.
PhD in Nursing
Research doctorate preparing nurse scientists and faculty; the school’s homepage notes a HyFlex option for attending some sessions remotely.
The School of Nursing’s primary program hub emphasizes BSN, MN, DNP, and PhD degrees—not an RN-to-BSN completion track. If you need a Minnesota RN-to-BSN program, verify options across Minnesota Board of Nursing–approved schools.
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, the University of Minnesota appears on two rows—Baccalaureate (aligned with the Traditional BSN) and Master (aligned with the pre-licensure Master of Nursing). The Board’s table reports annual columns labeled 2022–2025.
For additional context, the aggregate first-time pass rate for all Minnesota baccalaureate-and-higher programs in the 2025 column was 85.12% (1,721 first-time candidates), compared with 87.58% for all U.S. baccalaureate-and-higher candidates in that same column—both benchmarks are printed in the identical PDF.
| Board table row (University of Minnesota) | Year | First-time candidates | First-time pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota, Baccalaureate | 2022 | 134 | 85.07% |
| University of Minnesota, Baccalaureate | 2023 | 135 | 94.81% |
| University of Minnesota, Baccalaureate | 2024 | 135 | 92.59% |
| University of Minnesota, Baccalaureate | 2025 | 167 | 84.43% |
| University of Minnesota, Master | 2022 | 66 | 96.97% |
| University of Minnesota, Master | 2023 | 59 | 88.14% |
| University of Minnesota, Master | 2024 | 60 | 98.33% |
| University of Minnesota, Master | 2025 | 63 | 93.65% |
| Source | Minnesota Board of Nursing — Education Statistical Data (PDF: 2022–2025 RN NCLEX table). Confirm newer tables after 2025 with the Board and UMN. | ||
NCLEX performance varies by cohort and pathway; Board rows summarize program types, not individual campuses. Always reconcile table rows with your admissions adviser and download the newest PDF before making decisions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Twin Cities admissions pages for nursing-related pathways typically reference university-level English proficiency exams (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Cambridge, or Duolingo) when applicants studied outside English-instruction environments. International applicants must also navigate visa timing, transcript evaluation, and clinical compliance—all of which interact with Minnesota Board of Nursing NCLEX eligibility rules. This overview is guidance only, not legal or licensure advice.
- English-language proficiency: Minimum scores on the Twin Cities Office of Admissions–listed exams for your applicant category.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Course-by-course or degree verification consistent with Graduate School or Office of Admissions rules for the Master of Nursing or other graduate pathways.
- Minnesota Board of Nursing: NCLEX-RN eligibility, CGFNS/VisaScreen steps for some internationally educated nurses, and any limitations on clinical participation.
- Immigration & visa: F-1 or other statuses may restrict off-campus clinical assignments, overnight shifts, or summer enrollment patterns required by the MN sequence.
Verify with University of Minnesota Twin Cities Admissions, the International Student and Scholar Services, the Office of Student and Career Advancement Services (612-625-7980), and the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
University of Minnesota nursing admissions are intentionally split: freshman BSN applicants use direct-admit pathways from Twin Cities undergraduate admissions, transfer BSN students apply through Rochester-focused nursing admissions, and Master of Nursing applicants submit graduate nursing materials (including nine prerequisites, five of which must be underway at application). Early admission is available for juniors at UMN Crookston, Duluth, Morris, or Rochester who meet elevated GPA thresholds and prerequisite progress.
Application timeline (examples from official materials)
| Program / population | Milestone | Date / detail |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Nursing — early admission (UM system juniors) | Application window | January 15–March 15 for students at Crookston, Duluth, Morris, or Rochester who meet junior credit range, prerequisite completion, cumulative ≥3.5, prerequisite ≥3.7. |
| Master of Nursing — general | Start term | Fall only; four consecutive semesters including summer (16 months total). |
| BSN — transfer (Rochester) | Materials | Twin Cities admissions documentation references prerequisite completion targets (≥5 of 6 courses in progress, ≥1 science complete), résumé, essays, and transcripts—confirm live checklist. |
| BSN — freshman direct admit | Process | Review the School of Nursing freshman admissions page for holistic review factors and any supplemental prompts. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| GPA / prerequisite bars | Transfer BSN (Twin Cities materials reviewed): cumulative GPA ≥3.0, prerequisite GPA ≥3.0, grades ≥C- in listed prerequisites. Master of Nursing early admission: cumulative ≥3.5 and prerequisite ≥3.7; general MN applicants need five of nine prerequisites completed to apply with competitive science grades. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not emphasized on the Master of Nursing overview or the Twin Cities transfer nursing requirement pages reviewed for this guide—verify whether your pathway (especially freshman direct admit) introduces standardized testing. |
| Clinical clearance | Expect immunizations, background studies, and training modules prior to practicum—details arrive after admission. |
Honest tips: If you want Rochester BSN placement, prioritize finishing science prerequisites early so you meet the “five of six in progress” expectation. Master of Nursing candidates should plan finances for a year without employment—the program explicitly discourages working during the accelerated sequence. Use the Office of Student and Career Advancement Services number (612-625-7980) once you know your exact pathway so you receive the right document checklist.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Tuition at the Twin Cities campus is set through Board of Regents action and published on One Stop. Figures below are taken from the 2025–26 tuition page (academic year cited by the University). Mandatory fees, differential course fees, housing, transportation, and health insurance are not captured in every line—use the cost-of-attendance estimator for a full budget.
| Applicability | Tuition band (2025–26) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate BSN (general undergraduate rate) | Minnesota resident $620.50 per credit, or $8,066 flat per semester for 13+ credits; nonresident $1,500.70 per credit, or $19,509 flat for 13+ credits. |
| Master of Nursing (School of Nursing differential) | $869.00 per credit (resident and nonresident figures match on the published School of Nursing table). |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | $1,172.00 per credit; $10,548 per semester when enrolled in 9+ credits (same resident/nonresident band on One Stop). |
| PhD / other graduate nursing research credits | If not covered by a specialty differential, credits default to the general graduate rate: resident $1,773.50 per credit (part-time) or $10,640 for 6–14 credits; nonresident $2,796.00 per credit or $16,776 for the full-time plateau. Confirm your plan with One Stop. |
| Reciprocity | Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Manitoba residents may qualify for reciprocity tuition; South Dakota’s agreement ended in 2024 with transitional rules for select cohorts—read One Stop reciprocity guidance. |
| Source | University of Minnesota Twin Cities — Tuition; Cost of attendance. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Public outcome metrics for UMN nursing combine Board-reported NCLEX data, school-published progression statistics, and qualitative partnership strength across the Twin Cities market. Always treat licensure examination data as cohort-specific rather than predictive of your individual result.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (BSN row, MN BON) | 84.43% (167 first-time testers, 2025); 92.59% (135, 2024). |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (Master row, MN BON) | 93.65% (63, 2025); 98.33% (60, 2024). |
| BSN on-time completion (school-reported) | 92% of BSN students graduate on the three-year plan per the BSN program page. |
| Job placement / salary | Not publicly disclosed on the pages reviewed; consult the Office of Student and Career Advancement Services and University career outcomes surveys. |
| Source | MN BON 2022–2025 RN NCLEX PDF; UMN BSN program page. |
Is the University of Minnesota School of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
UMN Nursing rewards students who thrive in large research universities, accept rigorous clinical schedules (including overnights and weekends on the MN track), and want access to advanced-practice doctoral mentoring even while still an undergraduate admit.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want either a flagship BSN experience or a fast graduate entry (MN) without repeating another bachelor’s.
- Value national visibility in DNP specialties (nurse anesthesia, informatics, leadership, integrative care) and midwifery, per school rankings disclosures.
- Plan to stay in Minnesota or the Upper Midwest where M Health Fairview, Allina, Children’s Minnesota, and Hennepin Healthcare anchor clinical rotations.
- Are comfortable with transparent but relatively high tuition and intend to leverage $2.3M in school scholarships (2024–25 figure from the “at a glance” page) plus system-wide aid.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a part-time pre-licensure option—the MN program is explicitly full-time and discourages employment.
- Expect a small private-campus environment; even Rochester BSN is part of a major public system.
- Require an online RN-to-BSN completion pathway listed under this school’s core degree quartet.
- Are unsettled by year-to-year NCLEX swings; Board data show the Baccalaureate row moved from 92.59% (2024) to 84.43% (2025), underscoring cohort variability.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
The Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro supplies quaternary care, Level I trauma, pediatric subspecialty networks, and sprawling community-based care for rural outreach rotations. Although specific site assignments change by course, UMN nursing students routinely touch the ecosystem associated with M Health Fairview and other large Twin Cities systems, safety-net hospitals, and public health authorities cited in university partnership materials.
| Category | Examples & why they matter |
|---|---|
| Academic health systems | M Health Fairview blends University of Minnesota academic medicine with community hospitals—common ground for complex inpatient experiences. |
| Regional nonprofit systems | Allina Health, HealthPartners, and Essentia Health (for greater Minnesota) anchor high-volume med-surg, specialty, and telehealth innovation sites. |
| Safety net & specialty pediatrics | Hennepin Healthcare and Children’s Minnesota expose learners to underserved populations and high-acuity pediatric care. |
| Community & public health | The Master of Nursing page emphasizes more than 250 partner organizations, including clinics and population-health agencies beyond traditional hospital walls. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Academic nursing is headquartered in Weaver-Densford Hall on the East Bank of the Twin Cities campus, within walking distance of the Mississippi River, light-rail connections, and downtown professional sports. Simulation labs, standardized-patient suites, and interprofessional learning studios support skills acquisition, while student-government and specialty-interest organizations connect undergraduates with graduate mentors. Rochester-based BSN students experience a smaller city campus yet share branding, registration systems, and credentialing expectations with the broader University system.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Minneapolis, MN (Twin Cities East Bank; Rochester site for transfer BSN)
- Mailing address
- School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, 2-139 Weaver-Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, US
- Telephone
- 612-625-7980 (Office of Student and Career Advancement Services)
- Contact portal
- nursing.umn.edu/contact-us
- Website
- nursing.umn.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Identify your pathway (freshman BSN, Rochester transfer BSN, Master of Nursing, DNP, PhD) and open the matching admissions PDF or checklist on nursing.umn.edu.
- Download the Minnesota Board’s latest RN NCLEX statistical PDF and note both the Baccalaureate and Master lines for University of Minnesota.
- Model a budget using One Stop undergraduate vs. School of Nursing graduate differentials, then add fees and housing from the cost-of-attendance page.
- Register for any required standardized tests only after confirming with admissions—TEAS is not emphasized on the pages reviewed for MN or Rochester transfer.
- Call 612-625-7980 with transcript-specific questions for the Office of Student and Career Advancement Services.
- If considering the MN program, plan transportation and schedule availability for summer coursework, overnight practicum shifts, and limited outside work.
- Bookmark the Minnesota Board of Nursing portal for future licensure applications after graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing degrees does the University of Minnesota School of Nursing offer?
The School of Nursing homepage highlights four degree programs: BSN, Master of Nursing, DNP, and PhD. It also promotes a Doctoral Education Pathway for American Indian/Alaska Native nurses. It does not list a separate RN-to-BSN completion program on that main hub—confirm any additional tracks on the official site.
What is the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for University of Minnesota BSN and Master of Nursing graduates?
According to the Minnesota Board of Nursing PDF Number and First-time Success Rate of NCLEX-RN Candidates Educated in Minnesota Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Nursing Programs 2022–2025, the University of Minnesota Baccalaureate row shows 92.59% (135 first-time candidates) in 2024 and 84.43% (167) in 2025. The University of Minnesota Master row shows 98.33% (60) in 2024 and 93.65% (63) in 2025. The School’s BSN page cites a 93% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024, which rounds the Board’s 92.59% Baccalaureate figure. Confirm newer tables with the Board.
How much is tuition for University of Minnesota nursing programs in 2025–26?
Per the Twin Cities One Stop Tuition page: undergraduate BSN students follow standard undergraduate bands—Minnesota resident $620.50 per credit or $8,066 for 13+ credits per semester; nonresident $1,500.70 per credit or $19,509 for 13+ credits. The School of Nursing table lists Master of Nursing at $869 per credit and DNP at $1,172 per credit with a $10,548 plateau for 9+ credits per semester (resident and nonresident rates match on that line). PhD students may fall under general graduate tuition unless another differential applies—verify on One Stop.
Where are University of Minnesota BSN students located?
The BSN program page states freshmen are on the Twin Cities campus, while transfer nursing majors are on the University of Minnesota Rochester campus. Master of Nursing classes are delivered on campus in Minneapolis with regional practicum placements.
Does the University of Minnesota School of Nursing require the TEAS exam?
Master of Nursing materials emphasize prerequisites and GPA rather than TEAS. Twin Cities transfer nursing requirement pages likewise emphasize coursework, résumé, and essays rather than ATI TEAS. Requirements may differ for freshman direct admission—confirm with admissions.
How long is the University of Minnesota Master of Nursing program?
The program overview cites 16 months (four consecutive semesters), mandatory summer enrollment, full-time study, and fall-only admission, with approximately 500 practicum hours.
Is University of Minnesota nursing CCNE-accredited?
Program pages for the BSN, MN, DNP, and PhD each reference accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Confirm program-specific effective dates via CCNE and the school.
What clinical partners do University of Minnesota nursing students use?
The Master of Nursing page claims partnerships with more than 250 health and community organizations. Specific rotations vary by semester—coordinate expectations with your adviser.
Who should I contact at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing?
Use the Office of Student and Career Advancement Services at 612-625-7980 or the published mailing address at 2-139 Weaver-Densford Hall, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Detailed pathway questions should reference the relevant admissions subsite (freshman vs. transfer vs. graduate).
References
- University of Minnesota School of Nursingnursing.umn.edu
- BSN program pageBachelor of Science in Nursing
- Master of Nursing program pageMaster of Nursing
- Doctor of Nursing PracticeDNP academics
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities — Tuition (2025–26)onestop.umn.edu/finances/costs/tuition
- Minnesota Board of Nursing — Education Statistical Datamn.gov/boards/nursing/education/education-statistical-data/
- MN BON — 2022–2025 RN NCLEX PDF2022–2025_RN_NCLEX_tcm21-280648.pdf
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)aacnnursing.org/CCNE
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
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 NCLEX table alignment with Minnesota Board PDFs, program list accuracy against nursing.umn.edu, and tuition band alignment with One Stop (2025–26).
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: Mar 25, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy