| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Campus and online. Pre-licensure nursing and allied health are hybrid (online coursework, campus labs, clinicals); business, technology, justice and post-licensure nursing programs are online |
| Campuses | 19 in 5 states: Florida 6, Illinois 4, Kansas 2, Minnesota 6, North Dakota 1 |
| Credentials | Certificates, diplomas, associate and bachelor’s degrees; master’s degrees in nursing and business; a nursing doctorate (DNP) |
| Typical length | Online certificates from 8–9 months; Practical Nursing from 15 months; ADN from 21 months; pre-licensure BSN from 33 months |
| Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission, through American Public University System since 4 August 2026; program accreditation from ACEN, CCNE, ABHES, CAAHEP, CAPTE, JRCERT, NAACLS and CAHIIM |
| Federal aid | Yes |
| Owner | Private, for-profit; owned by American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI) since September 2021 |
| Starts | 8 a year |
| Facts checked | October 2026 |
A nursing-focused school, now part of APUS
Rasmussen University, formerly Rasmussen College, is owned by American Public Education, Inc. (APEI), the publicly traded company that bought it in September 2021. Nursing is its largest on-campus field: APEI counted in its 2025 annual report about 6,200 on-ground nursing students at the end of 2025, most of them in pre-licensure programs, alongside about 8,800 online students. The on-campus programs are practical nursing, the associate degree in nursing (ADN), the pre-licensure BSN and allied health programs such as medical assisting and radiologic technology, all taught as hybrids. Business, technology, justice studies, health administration and nursing programs for licensed nurses are online. Since 4 August 2026 Rasmussen has been part of American Public University System (APUS).
What changed in 2026: the APUS merger and HLC status
- Merger into APUS. APEI announced in January 2025 that it would combine its three schools, American Public University System, Rasmussen and Hondros College of Nursing, into one institution. The combination took effect on 4 August 2026, after approval by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the U.S. Department of Education. Rasmussen keeps its name and campuses as a unit of APUS; its 2026–27 catalog is now hosted by APUS.
- What “Inactive-Consolidated” means. HLC’s own record for Rasmussen now reads “Inactive-Consolidated”, which can look alarming. It is not a sanction. Rasmussen voluntarily resigned its separate HLC accreditation, effective 4 August 2026, because it became part of APUS, and HLC approved the continuation of accreditation under APUS in stages (Phase 1 on 26 February 2026 and Phase 2 in April 2026, reaffirmed on 10 July 2026). Rasmussen students are now enrolled at an HLC-accredited institution through APUS.
- Campus changes. The Orlando campus opened in February 2026, Green Bay closed on 31 December 2025, Wausau is closing by 31 December 2026 and the Moorhead ADN is closing on 31 December 2027. See “Campuses no longer open” below.
Programs on campus and online
Where a program is taught comes from Rasmussen’s program pages, which in several cases list fewer campuses than the campus pages do. Costs are the program pages’ estimated full-time tuition and fees, using Florida pricing where a program’s price differs by state.
| Program | Credential | Length | Delivery | Where | Prepares for | Estimated cost (2026–27) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing | Diploma | From 15 months; 56 credits | Hybrid; weekend option at Fort Myers and Ocala | 10 campuses in FL and MN | NCLEX-PN | $27,149 (Florida) |
| Professional Nursing (ADN) | Associate | From 21 months (18 for LPNs); 102 credits | Hybrid | 14 campuses enrolling in FL, IL, KS and MN | NCLEX-RN | $55,673 (Florida) |
| BSN (pre-licensure) | Bachelor’s | From 33 months; 180 credits. Second degree: 18 months | Hybrid | 14 campuses in FL, KS, MN and ND | NCLEX-RN | $83,805; second degree $50,297 |
| RN to BSN | Bachelor’s | 12 months full-time; 50 credits after transfer | Online | Online | For licensed RNs | $15,000 plus $500 fees |
| Medical Assisting | Diploma | 12 months; 51 credits | Hybrid, with externship | 11 campuses in FL, IL and MN | CMA, RMA | $21,239 |
| Surgical Technologist | Associate | 21 months; 92 credits | Blended | Central Pasco FL; Rockford, Romeoville IL; Brooklyn Park MN | CST | $40,994 |
| Radiologic Technology | Associate | 24 months; 108 credits | Hybrid | Central Pasco, Fort Myers, Ocala FL; Eagan MN | ARRT | $53,600 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | Associate | 18 months; 93 credits | Blended | Ocala FL; Brooklyn Park MN | NPTE | $43,542 |
| Medical Laboratory Technician | AAS | 21 months; 91 credits | Online plus practicums; on campus at Eagan | Eagan MN | – | $43,312 |
| Medical Billing and Coding | Certificate | From 9 months; 36 credits | Online | Online | AHIMA CCA (CCS with experience) | $14,577 |
| Pharmacy Technician | Certificate | From 9 months; 38 credits | Online, virtual practicum | Online (does not meet requirements in 8 states) | PTCE or ExCPT | $15,741 |
| Healthcare Management, Business Management, Cyber Security | Bachelor’s (90-credit completion) | From 18 months with transfer credit | Online | Online | Cyber: SSCP, CCNP, CISA | $35,755 each |
Most other programs are online, including the MSN, nurse practitioner tracks and DNP, accounting, criminal justice, paralegal and technology degrees. Rasmussen includes the first attempt fee for several certification exams (CMA and RMA, CCA, ARRT and CST) and reimburses up to three cyber security exam application fees.
What the main programs cover
Practical Nursing
The diploma has 15 courses and 56 credits. Theory is online; skills labs are on campus, and the school arranges clinical placements. It leads to the NCLEX-PN. ACEN accredits the program at Central Pasco, Eagan, Mankato, Moorhead and St. Cloud; Ocala, Fort Myers and Tampa/Brandon are not programmatically accredited, and Rasmussen states nothing for Orlando or Brooklyn Park. Schedules differ by campus: Fort Myers added weekend classes in April 2026 and Ocala in October 2026, and the Tampa area has an evening and weekend option. Florida charges $384 a credit and Minnesota $420.
Professional Nursing (ADN)
The associate degree has 25 courses and 102 credits and takes as few as 21 months, or 18 months on the LPN-to-RN bridge for practical nurses who already hold a license. Theory is online, with labs on campus and clinicals arranged by the school, leading to the NCLEX-RN. In Illinois the program is run from Romeoville, with Aurora, Mokena and Rockford as extension sites, and has ACEN initial accreditation; ACEN lists continuing accreditation for the program at eight other campuses. Pre-licensure nursing has entrance requirements, set out in the catalog.
BSN (pre-licensure)
The standard BSN is 180 credits and takes as few as 33 months. Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree can take the accelerated second-degree track, with 74 of its 106 credits transferred in, in about 18 months; Bloomington is one campus that runs it. Both are CCNE-accredited and hybrid. Rasmussen says the BSN meets the educational requirements for RN licensure in Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin, and it is not offered in Illinois. Tuition is $392 a credit.
Medical Assisting
The diploma is 12 courses and 51 credits over 12 months, or 10 with transfer credit. Lectures are live online and skills labs are held on campus, so it cannot be done fully online. It includes a 6-credit externship. The program is ABHES-accredited at the campuses that teach it and prepares students for the CMA and RMA exams; the fee for the first attempt at each is included. Rasmussen also offers a Healthcare associate’s degree with a medical assisting specialization.
Medical Billing and Coding
This certificate is taught entirely online in 10 courses and 36 credits, in as few as 9 months. Students practice coding in AHIMA virtual labs. It prepares for AHIMA’s Certified Coding Associate exam, and later for the Certified Coding Specialist exam once they have work experience; the first exam fee is included. Rasmussen says it is not available to residents of every state, so check before applying.
Pharmacy Technician
The online certificate has 12 courses and 38 credits and can take as few as 9 months. The practicum is virtual, except that Minnesota residents must complete an on-site practicum in a retail pharmacy. The program is a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program and prepares for the PTCE or ExCPT; Rasmussen reimburses the first attempt. Rasmussen says it does not meet requirements for residents of Massachusetts, North Dakota, Nevada, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
Cost and paying for it
Rates below are from the 2026–27 catalog, effective 12 August 2026 for new students and 5 October 2026 for current students, with program-page estimates checked in October 2026.
| Program | Per credit | Program-page estimate (tuition and fees) |
|---|---|---|
| General online undergraduate | $332 | Healthcare Management, Business Management or Cyber Security bachelor’s: $35,755 (90 credits) |
| Practical Nursing | Florida $384; Minnesota $420 | Florida: $21,504 + $5,645 = $27,149 ($25,149 with the LPN Care Grant) |
| Professional Nursing (ADN) | $464 (Moorhead $415; not enrolling) | Florida: $47,328 + $8,345 = $55,673 |
| BSN (pre-licensure) | $392 | $83,805; second degree $50,297 |
| RN to BSN | $300 | $15,000 + $500 fees (about $11,490 with the Corporate Alliance Grant) |
| Medical Assisting | $339 | $21,239 |
| Radiologic Technology | $425 (from 6 July 2026) | $53,600 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $394 | $43,542 |
| Surgical Technologist / Medical Lab Technician | $382 | $40,994 / $43,312 |
| Medical Billing and Coding / Pharmacy Technician | $332 | $14,577 / $15,741 |
| MSN / DNP | $295 / $750 | – |
Federal aid (Pell Grants and federal loans) applies, and the U.S. Department of Education approved the APUS combination for federal aid purposes. Active-duty service members pay $167 a credit, and National Guard and Reserve members, veterans, spouses and dependents get a 10% tuition grant. Named grants include the LPN Care Grant (up to $2,000), the Medical Assisting Inspire Grant (up to $4,000) and the Corporate Alliance Grant for RN-to-BSN students at partner employers. Rasmussen’s Knowledge Credit policy can count prior learning for up to 67% of a program’s credits (as stated on its criminal justice page), and self-directed assessments cost $149 each. APEI’s annual report for 2025 says tuition rose in August 2025 for new students, October 2025 for current students outside pre-licensure nursing and January 2026 for pre-licensure nursing.
Admissions and schedule
Programs start eight times a year. Pre-licensure nursing programs have entrance requirements set out in the catalog, and the Paralegal certificate requires an associate’s degree or higher. Hours vary by campus.
Accreditation and outcomes
Rasmussen’s institutional accreditation is from the Higher Learning Commission, held through American Public University System since 4 August 2026 (see above). Program accreditation: ACEN for the ADN at most campuses and for practical nursing at five; CCNE for the BSN, RN to BSN, MSN and DNP; ABHES for medical assisting; CAAHEP for surgical technology; CAPTE for PTA; JRCERT for radiologic technology at Eagan, Fort Myers and Ocala; NAACLS for the lab technician program at Eagan; and CAHIIM for health information programs, which Rasmussen says is reaffirmed through 2030. The business school is an ACBSP candidate. Rasmussen is approved by the Florida Commission for Independent Education, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the Kansas Board of Regents, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education and Wisconsin’s Educational Approval Program, and is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
NCLEX first-time pass rates, 2025
Calendar-year 2025 first-time pass rates from Rasmussen’s own outcome pages (checked October 2026). The Illinois figure matches the state’s (221 of 351). North Orlando, Orlando and Brooklyn Park show no data yet. For Fargo, the North Dakota board’s 2024–25 report gives 82.35% (14 of 17).
| Campus | Practical nursing (NCLEX-PN) | ADN (NCLEX-RN) | BSN (NCLEX-RN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Pasco (Odessa), FL | 93.94% | 76.51% | 90.74% |
| Fort Myers, FL | 100.0% | 78.63% | 90.91% |
| Ocala, FL | 87.23% | 77.09% | 90.00% |
| Tampa/Brandon, FL | 89.66% | 82.14% | 85.42% |
| Illinois ADN (Romeoville and extension sites) | – | 62.96% | – |
| Overland Park and Topeka, KS | – | 87.50% | 81.82% (Overland Park) |
| Bloomington, MN | – | – | 83.52% |
| Eagan, MN | 85.51% | – | – |
| Mankato, MN | 93.75% | 78.38% | – |
| Moorhead, MN | 85.0% | 69.23% | – |
| St. Cloud, MN | 100.0% | 71.00% | – |
| Fargo, ND | – | – | 78.57% |
On-time completion
Rasmussen publishes completion within 100% of normal program length, that is, the share of students who began their first nursing course in the period shown and finished in the standard time (school outcome pages, checked October 2026). These rates are low: about 18% to 50% for the ADN and 5% to 35% for practical nursing. Rates within 150% of program length are not published there. Federal data for Rasmussen’s Minnesota reporting unit show a 53% graduation rate within 150% of normal time for students who started in fall 2018 (IPEDS, as shown on College Navigator in October 2026).
| Campus | ADN (began Jul 2023–Apr 2024) | Practical nursing (began Oct 2023–Jul 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Central Pasco, FL | 49.7% | 34.8% |
| Fort Myers, FL | 24.7% | 5.26% |
| Ocala, FL | 25.1% | 17.35% |
| Tampa/Brandon, FL | 17.5% | 15.52% |
| Romeoville, IL | 33.6% | – |
| Overland Park/Topeka, KS | 41.9% | – |
| Eagan, MN | – | 16.8% |
| Mankato, MN | 34.2% | 20.0% |
| Moorhead, MN | 23.5% | 29.0% |
| St. Cloud, MN | 24.4% | 5.0% |
Nursing board actions
- Minnesota, Moorhead ADN. The Minnesota Board of Nursing placed the program on conditional approval (“approved with conditions”) by a Stipulation and Consent Correction Order of 5 June 2025, citing first-time pass rates of about 44% in 2022, 55% in 2023 and 73% in 2024. The order required more than 75% in 2025; the 2025 result was 69.23%. Rasmussen filed a voluntary closure, which the board accepted on 6 August 2026: the program closes on 31 December 2027, after its final cohort graduates.
- Minnesota, St. Cloud ADN. Its 2025 pass rate fell below Minnesota’s minimum, its first year below, and Rasmussen must submit a corrective action plan to the board.
- Illinois ADN. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation lists the program among those “Two Consecutive Years or More Below 75%”, marked as its sixth year. Its first-time pass rate was 63% in 2025 (221 of 351), after 70% in 2021, 51% in 2022, 62% in 2023 and 58% in 2024. APEI’s August 2026 quarterly report says the program “has missed the required NCLEX pass rate for the prior six years, although it remains approved.”
- Kansas. The Kansas Board of Nursing raised the ADN’s allowed admissions across Overland Park and Topeka from 64 to 79 a quarter from January 2026, and BSN admissions at Overland Park from 10 to 20 a quarter (Kansas Board of Nursing minutes, September and December 2025).
- North Dakota. The Fargo BSN has full approval from the North Dakota Board of Nursing.
Before you enroll
- Most students do not finish on time. Only about 18% to 50% of ADN students and 5% to 35% of practical nursing students, depending on campus, completed within the normal program length. Ask the campus for its rate within 150% of program length, which Rasmussen does not publish on these pages.
- Pass rates and board standing differ sharply by campus. The Illinois ADN has been below the state’s 75% standard for six years, Moorhead’s ADN is closing voluntarily on 31 December 2027 after Minnesota’s June 2025 conditional approval, and St. Cloud’s must file a corrective plan after its 2025 results. Check the campus row in the tables above, not a system-wide figure.
- Campus pages list more than the campuses teach. Several campus pages (Overland Park, Topeka, Fargo, Mokena, Aurora) list programs that the program pages do not offer there, such as practical nursing in Kansas or North Dakota. Confirm with the program page and admissions before applying.
- Online programs have state limits. Several program pages say they are not available to residents of all states; Pharmacy Technician names eight states where it does not meet requirements. The Criminal Justice associate’s does not meet Minnesota POST standards, and the Law Enforcement program is aligned only with Minnesota’s.
Campuses no longer open
These campuses were on our page and are no longer open: Bismarck, ND (closed in late 2015, when its lease expired); New Port Richey, FL (replaced by Central Pasco in Odessa in February 2021, along with Land O’ Lakes); Blaine and Brooklyn Park (93rd Avenue), MN (replaced by the Hennepin/Anoka campus in July 2022); Lake Elmo/Woodbury, MN (consolidated into Bloomington and Eagan, January to July 2024); and Green Bay, WI (closed 31 December 2025). Wausau, WI, Rasmussen’s last Wisconsin campus, closes by 31 December 2026 and no longer enrolls nursing students, so we no longer list it. Others moved: Mankato in 2018, Tampa to Brandon in June 2021, Eagan in fall 2021, Topeka in April 2023, and Ocala’s two sites were combined in April 2024.
Clinicals, externships and exam fees
Rasmussen arranges clinical placements for nursing students; Bloomington, for example, cites about 30 clinical sites in the Twin Cities. Medical assisting includes a 6-credit externship, the RN to BSN includes a practicum at the student’s workplace, and the Pharmacy Technician practicum is virtual except for Minnesota residents. We found no student housing at any campus.
What students say
On Niche, four Rasmussen campus pages have 25 or more reviews: Ocala (4.29 out of 5, 577 reviews), Bloomington (4.01, 184), Fort Myers (4.07, 149) and St. Cloud (4.26, 145), about 4.2 on average across 1,055 reviews (checked 5 October 2026). Reviewers praise the flexibility of the online and hybrid formats for working parents, caring instructors and advisors, and a quick route into nursing through the accelerated BSN. Complaints include disorganized scheduling, with schedules released days before a term and classes cancelled (Fort Myers, Bloomington), rising tuition and fees, and credits that did not transfer (Ocala, Fort Myers).
Treat the Niche scores with some caution: 577 reviews is a very high number for one campus, and St. Cloud’s reviews are bunched in recent months, which can happen when a school asks students to post. Trustpilot tells a different story: a TrustScore of 1.3 out of 5 from 271 reviews (checked 5 October 2026), with complaints about nursing exams that do not match the coursework and problems after a switch of learning platform.
Sources
Checked October 2026: Rasmussen locations · 2026–27 catalog: tuition · Rasmussen accreditation · HLC record · APUS combination release, August 2026 · ADN outcomes · Minnesota Board of Nursing corrective action · Illinois 2025 low pass-rate list
Programs & Courses
Nursing: pre-licensure (hybrid, on campus)
- Practical Nursing (diploma), FL and MN
- Professional Nursing (ADN), including the LPN-to-RN bridge, FL, IL, KS and MN
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (pre-licensure, including accelerated second degree), FL, KS, MN and ND
Nursing: for licensed nurses (online)
- RN to BSN
- MSN, MSN Nurse Practitioner and post-graduate certificates
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Health sciences (hybrid at selected campuses)
- Medical Assisting (diploma)
- Healthcare (associate's, Medical Assisting specialization)
- Surgical Technologist (associate's)
- Radiologic Technology (associate's)
- Physical Therapist Assistant (associate's)
- Medical Laboratory Technician (AAS)
Health sciences and health administration (online)
- Medical Billing and Coding (certificate)
- Pharmacy Technician (certificate)
- Healthcare Management (bachelor's)
Business (online)
- Business Management (associate's, bachelor's, certificate)
- Accounting (certificate, associate's, bachelor's)
- MBA
Justice studies
- Criminal Justice (associate's, online)
- Criminal Justice Leadership and Management (bachelor's, online)
- Law Enforcement (online certificate; hybrid associate's at selected campuses)
- Paralegal (certificate and associate's, online)
Technology (online)
- Cyber Security (bachelor's)
- Computer Science, Data Analytics and IT Management (bachelor's)
- Information Technology, Network Systems Administration and Software Application Development (associate's)
- IT Support, Network Support and IT Project Management (certificates)
Campus Locations
Odessa, FL 16418 State Road 54, Odessa, FL 33556
Fort Myers, FL 9160 Forum Corporate Pkwy, Ste 100, Fort Myers, FL 33905
Orlando (Altamonte Springs), FL 385 Douglas Ave, Ste 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
Ocala, FL 1227 SW 17th Ave, Ocala, FL 34471
Orlando, FL 8541 Southpark Circle, Orlando, FL 32819
Tampa (Brandon), FL 330 Brandon Town Center Dr, Brandon, FL 33511
Aurora, IL 2363 Sequoia Dr, Aurora, IL 60506
Mokena, IL 8650 Springlake Dr, Mokena, IL 60448
Rockford, IL 6000 E State St, 4th Floor, Rockford, IL 61108
Joliet (Romeoville), IL 1400 W Normantown Rd, Romeoville, IL 60446
Kansas City (Overland Park), KS 11600 College Blvd, Ste 100, Overland Park, KS 66210
Topeka, KS 3722 SW Burlingame Rd, Topeka, KS 66609
Minneapolis (Bloomington), MN 4400 W 78th St, 6th Floor, Bloomington, MN 55435
Eagan, MN 1305 Corporate Center Dr, Eagan, MN 55121
Brooklyn Park, MN 5555 96th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
Mankato, MN 1400 Madison Ave, Ste 510, Mankato, MN 56001
Moorhead, MN 1250 29th Ave S, Moorhead, MN 56560
St. Cloud, MN 226 Park Ave S, St. Cloud, MN 56301
Fargo, ND 4012 19th Ave S, Fargo, ND 58103