Western, MSU-Mankato Sign Nursing Transfer Pact
The first partnership between the two schools lets Western nursing graduates pursue a fully online Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
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Western Technical College and Minnesota State University-Mankato signed a new transfer agreement Wednesday at Western's Lunda Center Atrium in La Crosse. Under the deal, MSU-Mankato accepts all Western nursing program credits toward its Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Why it matters
The agreement gives working registered nurses in the La Crosse area a direct path to a bachelor's degree without relocating. Because the program is fully online, students can attend part-time or full-time.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing requires 30 credits and can be completed in one year. MSU-Mankato accepts all Western nursing program credits, but tuition figures and expected enrollment were not disclosed.
The players
Western Technical College
A public technical college in La Crosse, Wisconsin, offering associate and technical degrees including a nursing program.
Minnesota State University-Mankato
A public university in Mankato, Minnesota, part of the Minnesota State system, offering undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.
The details
The 30-credit program is fully online and designed for working registered nurses. It is the first partnership between Western Technical College and Minnesota State University-Mankato.
Timeline
The transfer agreement was signed Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the Lunda Center Atrium in La Crosse.
Market Landscape
The agreement connects a regional technical college pipeline to a four-year university, a model that lets nursing graduates advance without repeating coursework. It extends the reach of Minnesota State's online nursing degrees across the state line into Wisconsin.
Registered nurses in the La Crosse region who hold Western credentials can pursue a bachelor's degree without leaving their jobs. A one-year, fully online path may help them move into roles that require a BSN.
The takeaway
Nursing graduates who plan to earn a bachelor's degree should check whether their associate credits transfer under agreements like this one before enrolling elsewhere. Credit acceptance can shorten the time and cost of completing a BSN.
Further reading
Explore more on Nursing Jobs in the La Crosse area.
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