Rasmussen University

Rasmussen University is an accredited institution offering nursing education programs designed to prepare graduates for licensure and professional practice. The university provides ACEN-accredited LPN, ADN, BSN, and online RN-to-BSN programs at campuses in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Florida, and North Dakota.

About the Programs

• ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing): On-campus program, $36,000 total tuition, 24-month duration, 63% graduation rate.
• BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing): Online and campus-based program, $58,000 total tuition, 36-month duration, 63% graduation rate.
• LPN (Licensed Practical Nursing): On-campus program, $21,000 total tuition, 12-month duration, 63% graduation rate.
• RN-to-BSN: Online program, $16,000 total tuition, 18-month duration, 63% graduation rate.

Admissions

Rasmussen University operates under an open admissions policy, accepting 100% of applicants who meet basic entry qualifications, such as holding a high school diploma or GED. There is no published minimum GPA requirement for nursing programs.

• Applicants with a conferred Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree (GPA of 2.25 or higher from an accredited institution) are exempt from the TEAS exam.
• No prerequisite coursework is required for admission into the LPN, ADN, or BSN programs.
• Programs offer multiple start dates per year, with up to eight start dates for the ADN program at most campuses.

Program Features

• Accreditation: Rasmussen University holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), ensuring the curriculum meets nationally recognized standards for nursing education.
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: The national average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is approximately 87–89%. Rasmussen’s pass rates are publicly reported as part of its accreditation status.
• Delivery Modes:
  • LPN, ADN, and BSN pre-licensure programs: Online, on-campus, and hybrid formats with required clinical components.
  • RN-to-BSN, MSN, and DNP programs: Fully online with required field experience for clinical components.
• Flexibility: Programs offer asynchronous coursework (e.g., RN-to-BSN online courses allow students to learn at their own pace).

Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 as of May 2024. The field is projected to add roughly 193,100 job openings per year through 2032 due to retirements, population growth, and an aging patient population requiring complex care.

• Nurses with a BSN typically earn 10–20% more than those with an associate degree and are better positioned for advanced practice roles (e.g., nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist).
• Employers, particularly hospitals pursuing Magnet Recognition, strongly prefer graduates from accredited programs.