Minnesota NP Programs at a Glance
| State practice authority | Full Practice Authority – NPs evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe independently |
| Minnesota Board of Nursing | Minnesota Board of Nursing |
| Minnesota median NP wage | ~$130,000 (Payscale/BLS, 2024). See Minnesota state OES tables for current detail. |
| National median NP wage | $129,210/year (BLS, May 2024) |
| Projected NP job growth | 46% (2023–2033) nationally – one of the fastest-growing professions |
| Primary accreditors | CCNE · ACEN |
| Common NP specialty tracks | FNP, AGNP (Primary/Acute), PMHNP, PNP, WHNP, NNP |
| Typical program length | 2–3 years (MSN-NP) or 3–4 years (BSN-to-DNP), full-time post-BSN |
Our Editorial Process
This guide is written by a credentialed nurse and reviewed against source-of-truth references at least annually. Program accreditation is verified against the CCNE program directory and ACEN directory. Minnesota licensure information is verified against the Minnesota Board of Nursing. Salary and growth figures come directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Minnesota data. Read our full editorial standards.
2026 Updates for Minnesota NP Programs
- Minnesota practice authority. Minnesota is a Full Practice Authority state. Licensed nurse practitioners can evaluate, diagnose, order tests, and prescribe medications independently of physician supervision. Minnesota is one of 27 states + DC granting full NP autonomy under state law.
- BLS data refresh (May 2024 OES). National median NP wage is now $129,210; Minnesota-specific data is published in the Minnesota state OES tables.
- Projected NP job growth. 46% projected employment growth from 2023 to 2033 nationally – one of the fastest-growing occupations the BLS tracks.
- AACN 2025 Position Statement. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reaffirmed the DNP as the preferred terminal degree for advanced practice. BSN-to-DNP and post-master’s DNP pathways continue to be the dominant educational routes for new NPs in Minnesota.
- Telehealth permanence. Federal and state telehealth flexibilities introduced during 2020 have largely been made permanent, expanding remote NP roles across primary care, behavioral health, and chronic disease management.
- PMHNP demand surge. Mental health workforce shortages are particularly acute nationwide; PMHNP-specific job postings have outpaced general NP postings consistently. See our PMHNP career guide.
As with most US states, Minnesota is facing a staffing shortage. According to the Cicero Institute, the state is projected to have a shortage of 2,260 doctors by 2030. Primary care practitioners alone are projected to be short by 1,187 providers. Furthermore, the availability of obstetricians in the state is ranked 27th.
Nurse practitioners can cater to this shortage by offering primary and specialized care to Minnesotans. Here are several schools that offer NP programs for aspiring advanced practice nurses:
Program Overview:
Augsburg’s Department of Nursing started in 1973 when the university began to offer a BSN program. In 1999, it started offering an MA in Transcultural Nursing, which was then followed by the launch of the DNP program in 2010. Four years later, it launched its DNP-FNP track, which was named the fourth-best DNP program by Study.com in 2019. Graduates of the program have garnered a 94%-100% pass rate in the AANP/ANCC exams for the last five years.
Program Overview:
The School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Capella University offers innovative undergraduate and graduate level Nursing degrees with a supportive online environment. The CCNE-accredited school has a flexible pacing format that allows nurses to earn their MSN in as little as 14 months. With over 20,000 graduates, 87% of Capella nursing alumni agree that their degrees have helped them achieve their career aspirations.
Program Overview:
Grounded in Catholic and Benedictine values, the graduate nursing program of CSB and SJU was established to educate post-baccalaureate nurses who demonstrate ethical leadership. The program offers flexible, hybrid learning, guaranteed clinical placements, and one-to-one project and thesis mentorship for DNP students. The institution also hosts a Nursing Education Suite that is modeled after a clinic and hospital ward. In 2023, RNcareers.org ranked CSB-SJU as the tenth-best nursing school in Minnesota.
Program Overview:
For 100 years, the College of St. Scholastica has offered various programs that have made it a leader in innovative healthcare education. College Factual ranks the college as the fifth-best Nursing school in Minnesota, and the 129th out of 1,774 nationwide. The website also ranks it as the top 19 value school for graduate Nursing degrees and the top 41 for graduate Nursing certificate programs. In 2021, College of St. Scholastica FNP and PMHNP graduates had a board certification passing rate of 92.3% and 100% respectively.
Program Overview:
The MSU Department of Nursing is committed to providing scholarly excellence while forming partnerships with nearby communities. It also intends to deliver flexible, accessible education, especially to students from marginalized communities. Furthermore, it aims to address the holistic nursing needs of various populations. The department offers online, hybrid, and on-campus nursing programs at the baccalaureate and graduate levels.
Program Overview:
MSU-Mankato’s School of Nursing was established to help create entry-level and advanced practice nurses who demonstrate strong nursing knowledge and skills. Committed to excellence and innovation, the school hosts the Maverick Family Nursing Simulation Center, which is a state-of-the-art facility that helps nurses improve their clinical skills in a realistic environment. In 2003, MSU-Mankato was ranked by Incredible Health as the top six nursing school in the state.
Program Overview:
Established in 1900, Rasmussen University has campuses in various states but is primarily headquartered in Minnesota. Its Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)-accredited nursing programs cater to all levels, from students who want to become RNs to nurses who wish to obtain a terminal DNP degree. College Factual ranks it as the 63rd best value school for Master’s in Nursing degrees and the 71st best value school for graduate Nursing degrees.
Program Overview:
St. Kate’s College of Nursing provides students with the skills and experience they need to become successful entry-level and graduate-level nurses. Dedicated to holistic healing, the school promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and experiential learning through its Institute of Simulation and Interprofessional Learning. US News & World Rankings places its MSN program at the 147th spot while its DNP program is ranked 141st in the nation.
Program Overview:
Founded in 1909, UM-Twin Cities goes down in history as offering the first nursing program within a university. Its commitment to innovation is reflected in its 11,000-square-foot Bentson Center and Laboratory of Clinical Exercise Physiology, both of which support further nursing education and research. With its DNP program clinching the eighth spot in the US News & World Report ranking, UM-Twin Cities is considered one of the best nursing schools in the state.
- BSN to DNP: AGPCNP
- BSN to DNP: FNP
- BSN to DNP: PNP Primary Care
- BSN to DNP: PMHNP
- BSN to DNP: WHNP
- MSN to DNP: AGPCNP
- MSN to DNP: FNP
- MSN to DNP: PNP Primary Care
- MSN to DNP: PMHNP
- MSN to DNP: WHNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate DNP to AGACNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate DNP to AGPCNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate DNP to PNP Primary Care
- Post-Graduate Certificate DNP to PNP Acute Care
- Post-Graduate Certificate DNP to PMHNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate DNP to WHNP
Program Overview:
Founded in 1970, Walden University is a private institution based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is categorized as a high-volume granter of healthcare degrees, as evidenced by the high number of MSN students. In fact, Better Nursing has recognized Walden’s online MSN program as the seventh best in the country. All of Walden’s undergraduate and graduate nursing programs are accredited by CCNE.
- BSN to MSN: AGACNP
- BSN to MSN: AGPCNP
- BSN to MSN: FNP
- BSN to MSN: PMHNP
- BSN to MSN: PNP Primary Care
- Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGACNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGPCNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to FNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PMHNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP Primary Care
Program Overview:
WSU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers comprehensive, cutting-edge education to aspiring nurses and advanced practice RNs. The college offers a variety of immersive learning experiences in the form of semesters abroad and faculty-led programs. In 2023, Incredible Health named WSU the best nursing school in Minnesota.
Educational Routes to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner in Minnesota
Five distinct routes appear across the NP schools listed on this page. Each suits a different starting credential and timeline. All five satisfy the Minnesota Board of Nursing APRN-certification requirements when paired with national NP certification.
1. MSN-NP (Most Common Route)
The traditional Master of Science in Nursing with an NP specialty track. Designed for working RNs who already hold a BSN. Typical length: 2 to 3 years full-time or 3 to 4 years part-time, with 500 to 750 clinical hours. Minnesota MSN-NP options span all 11 on-page schools, anchored by the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Walden University, Capella University, and Rasmussen University offer online-forward MSN-FNP coursework for working RNs statewide.
2. RN-to-MSN Bridge (No BSN Required)
For ADN-prepared RNs who want to skip a separate BSN program. The bridge adds 12 to 18 months of BSN-level coursework before the master’s component begins. In Minnesota, Metro State University, Winona State University, and St. Catherine University all offer RN-MSN bridges into NP tracks. Total time-to-degree typically lands at 3 to 4 years. See the broader top RN-to-NP programs ranking.
3. BSN-to-DNP (Doctoral-Entry NP)
Aligned with the AACN’s 2025 DNP position statement. Combines NP-specialty training with terminal-degree coursework over 3 to 4 years and roughly 1,000 clinical hours. 10 Minnesota schools offer a DNP program — see the full Minnesota DNP programs guide for state-specific detail, or online BSN-to-DNP programs for ranked national options.
4. Post-Master’s Certificate (Existing MSN Holders)
For nurses who already hold a master’s-level NP credential and want to add a second specialty — an FNP adding AGNP, an FNP adding PMHNP, etc. Typical length: 12 to 24 months and ~500 clinical hours. Minnesota post-master’s certificate options include the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Catherine, and Winona State. The NP Certifications hub covers the certificate landscape in depth.
5. Accelerated & Direct-Entry (Non-Nursing Bachelor’s)
For career changers with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The student earns an accelerated BSN first (12 to 16 months), then enters an NP master’s or DNP track. Minnesota’s flagship direct-entry options include the University of Minnesota’s Master of Nursing for non-nurses pathway and St. Catherine’s Master’s Entry track. Total time-to-NP-licensure: typically 4 to 5 years from start of accelerated BSN.
Fast & Affordable Minnesota NP Programs (Editorial Picks)
These editorial picks balance time-to-degree, total program cost, and accreditation. All programs listed are CCNE or ACEN accredited and confirmed to currently enroll Minnesota residents.
Fastest Minnesota NP Programs
- Walden University — Online MSN-FNP: Multiple intakes per year; accelerated 24-month track for working RNs.
- Rasmussen University — Online MSN-FNP: Multiple cohort starts; mostly-asynchronous coursework with MN-based clinicals.
- Capella University — Online MSN-FNP: FlexPath competency-based delivery; accelerated full-time track.
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities — Post-Master’s NP Certificate: 12 to 18 months for current MSN holders adding a Minnesota specialty.
Most Affordable Minnesota NP Programs (In-State Tuition)
- Minnesota State University-Mankato — MSN-NP: Public Minnesota State system tuition at one of the lowest published per-credit rates.
- Metro State University — MSN-NP: Public Minnesota State tuition in the Twin Cities; commuter-friendly evening cohorts.
- Winona State University — MSN-NP: Public Minnesota State tuition with strong southeast-MN clinical pipeline.
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities — MSN-NP: Public flagship tuition; nationally-ranked nursing school with extensive MN clinical network.
- College of St. Scholastica — MSN-FNP: Duluth-based private with competitive total cost; strong Northland clinical placements.
Minnesota Schools Offering Popular NP Specialties
The matrix below maps Minnesota NP-track schools to the two most-published specialty paths in the state — FNP and DNP entry. Most Minnesota schools lead with FNP at the master’s level; 10 schools offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice option. Each H3 links to the relevant child page.
Family NP (FNP)
The most common specialty in Minnesota. All 11 schools listed on this page offer an FNP track in some format — MSN, BSN-to-DNP, or post-master’s certificate.
- Augsburg University
- Capella University
- College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
- College of St. Scholastica
- Metro State University
- Minnesota State University-Mankato
- Rasmussen University
- St. Catherine University
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Walden University
- Winona State University
BSN-to-DNP and Post-Master’s DNP Programs in Minnesota
Aligned with the AACN 2025 DNP position statement. The 10 Minnesota schools below offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. See the dedicated Minnesota DNP programs guide for admissions detail.
- Augsburg University
- College of Saint Benedict — St. John’s University
- College of Saint Scholastica
- Metro State University
- Minnesota State University-Mankato
- St. Catherine University
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Winona State University
- College of Saint Benedict – St. John’s University
- Rasmussen University
Nurse Practitioner Programs in Minnesota by City & Region
Minnesota’s NP programs cluster around the Twin Cities metro area, Duluth, Mankato, and Winona, with several large online-forward programs (Walden, Capella, Rasmussen) accepting Minnesota residents from anywhere in the state.
Twin Cities Metro
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities — Minneapolis
- Metro State University — Saint Paul
- College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University — Saint Joseph / Collegeville
- St. Catherine University — Saint Paul
- Augsburg University — Minneapolis
Duluth / Northland
- College of St. Scholastica — Duluth
Southern Minnesota
- Minnesota State University-Mankato — Mankato
- Winona State University — Winona
Online-forward (MN-based)
- Walden University — Minneapolis HQ / online
- Capella University — Minneapolis HQ / online
- Rasmussen University — Bloomington HQ / online
