CNA Classes & Programs in Mankato, Minnesota
8 state-approved CNA programs in Mankato, including free options. 4-week and online programs are offered in other Minnesota cities.
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
CNA training in Mankato
- Programs
- 8
- state-approved
- Median CNA pay
- $38,580
- $18.55 an hour
- CNA jobs
- 820
- in the Mankato-North Mankato region
- Healthcare facilities
- 6
- 4 nursing homes, 1 hospital and 1 home health agency
- Population
- 44,444
- residents
Sources: BLS OEWS (May 2023), CMS (July 2025).
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What brings you here?
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Mankato is home to 8 CNA programs, giving aspiring nursing assistants several options for beginning their healthcare careers. As a key city in southern Minnesota with a college-town atmosphere, Mankato offers resources that help students gain the training needed for CNA certification and prepare for employment in hospitals, nursing homes, and other local care settings.
Alongside standard CNA programs, Mankato offers free CNA classes to help reduce barriers for students pursuing certification. Local job opportunities are available at facilities such as Mayo Clinic Health System - Mankato and several area nursing homes. In the Mankato-North Mankato region, CNAs earn around $38,580 annually, which is below the statewide median of approximately $41,940.
CNA classes in Mankato emphasize hands-on training to prepare graduates for patient care roles in skilled nursing facilities and home health settings. These programs support state certification and readiness for entry-level positions with local healthcare employers.
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Browse CNA Classes in Mankato
Students in Mankato can choose from 8 CNA programs, including free training options designed to prepare candidates for Minnesota state certification. Each CNA training program equips students with practical skills and knowledge essential for success on the certification exam and readiness for immediate employment where CNAs are needed in the local area.
Program Types in Mankato
| Type | In Mankato | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Free or employer-paid | 2 programs | See them ↓ |
| 4-week (accelerated) | Not in Mankato | See other Minnesota cities → |
| Online or hybrid | Not in Mankato | See other Minnesota cities → |
| Evening or weekend | Not in Mankato | See other Minnesota cities → |
A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.
All 8 CNA programs in Mankato
Lowest published cost first.
Ecumen Pathstone Living/Crossi
CostFreeHours–Weeks–
- Address
- 718 Mound Ave, Mankato, MN 56001
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (507) 345-4576
Paid on-the-job Nursing Assistant certification classes that prepare you for the CNA test, with flexible scheduling. Training is offered as part of employment at Pathstone.
Visit websiteMonarch Healthcare Management Na Training Program
CostFreeHours75Weeks–
- Address
- 638 Southbend Avenue, Mankato, MN 56001
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (507) 625-8741
Monarch’s paid Nursing Assistant in Training program covers a Minnesota-approved 75-hour NATCEP course and state testing while paying you to work during training. HR coordinates onboarding, competencies and exam scheduling, with a pathway to CNA employment upon successful certification.
Visit websiteBethany Lutheran College
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 700 Luther Drive, Mankato, MN 56001
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (507) 344-7000
Bethany Lutheran College is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.
Visit websiteMankato Area Public Schools
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- Intergovernmental Center 10 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato, MN 56001
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (507) 387-8600
Mankato Area Public Schools is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.
Visit websiteMankato East High School
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 2600 Hoffman Rd, Mankato, MN 56001
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (507) 387-5671
Mankato East High School is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.
Visit websiteMankato Office
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 201 N Victory Drive, Suite 211, Mankato, MN 56001
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (888) 327-3633
Mankato Office is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.
Visit websiteMankato West High School
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 1351 S. Riverfront Dr, Mankato, MN 56001
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (507) 387-3461
Mankato West High School offers a Certified Nursing Assistant course for students with the opportunity for articulated college credit at participating Minnesota community and technical colleges.
Visit websiteMinnesota State University, Mankato
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 150 South Road 317 Clinical Sciences Bld, Mankato, MN 56001
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (507) 389-1031
Minnesota State University, Mankato is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.
Visit websiteCost, hours and weeks are each school's published figures, so confirm them with the school. A dash means the school has not published it.
Not sure which of the 8 programs fits you?
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Explore CNA Programs in Other Cities
Nearby cities
Major Minnesota cities
- Minneapolis12 programs
- St. Paul15 programs
- Rochester5 programs
- Bloomington4 programs
- Duluth7 programs
- Brooklyn Park8 programs
CNA Employment Opportunities in Mankato
| Median annual pay | $38,580 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay | $18.55 |
| CNA jobs in the region | 820 |
| Salary region | Mankato-North Mankato |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.
CNA jobs in Mankato are supported by approximately 820 Certified Nursing Assistants employed across various healthcare settings in the Mankato-North Mankato area. This regional employment figure reflects the presence of multiple care facilities and sustained demand for qualified CNAs in both long-term care environments and clinical settings within the community.
The CNA salary in Mankato is guided by regional data: In the Mankato-North Mankato area, CNAs earn around $38,580 per year (median), or approximately $18.55 per hour according to BLS OEWS (May 2023). This figure is below the Minnesota statewide median of $41,940 annually. Wage levels may vary based on facility type, shift differentials, and experience.
Major local employers include Mayo Clinic Health System - Mankato, an acute care hospital known for its nonprofit status and high CMS overall rating. Area nursing homes such as Pathstone Living (69 beds), Oaklawn Care & Rehabilitation Center (60 beds), Laurels Peak Care & Rehabilitation Center (60 beds), and Hillcrest Care & Rehabilitation Center (95 beds) also provide significant employment opportunities. Ecumen Home Care-Pathstone further broadens job possibilities in home health services within the city.
Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in Mankato (4 facilities)
4 nursing homes in Mankato providing CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 4 facilities ranked by CNA hours per resident per day (as provided by official data). Source: CMS nursing homes (July 2025)
| Nursing home | Beds | CNA hrs/day |
|---|---|---|
| Pathstone Living718 Mound Avenue(507) 345-4576Map | 69 | 2.8 |
| Oaklawn Care & Rehabilitation Center201 Oaklawn Avenue(507) 388-2913Map | 60 | 2.6 |
| Laurels Peak Care & Rehabilitation Center700 James Avenue(507) 345-4631Map | 60 | 2.5 |
| Hillcrest Care & Rehabilitation Center714 Southbend Avenue(507) 387-3491Map | 95 | 2.0 |
Hospitals Hiring CNAs in Mankato (1 facility)
1 hospital in Mankato offering CNA employment opportunities. Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)
| Hospital | Rating |
|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic Health System - MankatoAcute Care Hospitals · 1025 Marsh Street(507) 625-4031Map | 5/5 |
Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in Mankato (1 facility)
1 home health agency in Mankato providing CNA career opportunities. Source: CMS home health agencies (July 2025)
| Agency | Quality |
|---|---|
| Ecumen Home Care-Pathstone718 Mound Avenue(218) 727-1111Map | 2.0/5 |
Sources
- Salary Data: BLS OEWS (May 2023)
- Healthcare Facilities: CMS (July 2025)
Working in Nearby Cities and Other States
Working in Nearby Cities
Looking beyond Mankato? Explore CNA programs and jobs in North Mankato, New Ulm, St. Peter, Fairmont, and Waseca, or browse the Minnesota CNA programs page for more options.
Working in Other States
Planning to move or gain experience working in other states? Use our reciprocity guide to transfer your existing CNA license across states.
Working Through Agencies or as a Travel CNA
If you're already certified and would like to work through an agency or work as a travel CNA, browse here our directory of CNA agencies or simply fill out this short form to get matched with 3 personalized CNA agencies that can help you land your next job.
Requirements to Work as a CNA in Mankato, MN
To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Mankato, you must meet the statewide CNA requirements set by Minnesota. These include completing a Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)–approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP), passing the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Competency Examination administered by D&SDT-Headmaster, and being listed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.
- At least 75 total hours of training, including a minimum of 16 hours of supervised practical training with a live person in a lab or clinical setting
- Completion of 16 hours of required instruction before any direct resident contact
- Passing both the knowledge test (70 questions, 74% to pass) and the skills evaluation (three or four randomly assigned skills, 30 minutes)
- Up to four attempts on the knowledge test and three attempts on the skills test, with both passed within a 24-month testing cycle before retraining is required
- Placement on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry maintained by MDH
Once listed on the registry, you may work in nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, and other licensed healthcare settings throughout Mankato and across Minnesota. To maintain active registry status, nursing assistants must complete at least 8 hours of paid nursing assistant work every 24 months.
Already certified in another state? Minnesota offers interstate endorsement for out-of-state nurse aides who are active and in good standing on another state's registry. To qualify without retesting, applicants must have completed at least 8 hours of paid nursing assistant work in that state during the preceding 24 months. Learn more in our CNA License Reciprocity in Minnesota guide.
For complete details on training, testing, renewal, and maintaining certification, see our full CNA License & Registration in Minnesota guide.
Career Growth & Advancement
Many CNAs use their experience as a stepping stone toward advanced healthcare careers:
- Specialized certifications (e.g., dementia care, medication aide)
- Promotion into shift supervisor or training coordinator roles
- Bridge programs to become an LPN or RN
- Opportunities in healthcare administration or education
Ready to start? Get info from CNA schools in Mankato.
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Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in Mankato
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in Mankato?
Most CNA programs in Mankato can be completed in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether you choose a traditional, accelerated, or weekend schedule.
How much does CNA training cost in Mankato?
Prices differ by school, so ask the CNA programs in Mankato directly for their current costs. 2 programs are free or employer-paid. Some schools and healthcare employers may cover the cost or reimburse you after hiring.
Are there free CNA classes in Mankato?
Yes. 2 programs in Mankato are free or employer-paid: Ecumen Pathstone Living/Crossi and Monarch Healthcare Management Na Training Program. Some hospitals, nursing homes, and workforce programs may also offer free CNA training in exchange for a work commitment.
Are there online CNA training options available in Mankato?
No program in Mankato is listed with online classes. Online and hybrid programs are offered in other Minnesota cities. Clinical training is always in person.
Are there any 4-week CNA classes in Mankato?
No 4-week program is listed in Mankato. 4-week CNA programs are offered in other Minnesota cities, usually in 3 to 5 weeks.
Which nearby cities are there for CNA classes and job opportunities?
Near Mankato there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as North Mankato, New Ulm, St. Peter, Fairmont and Waseca. You can also look at the Minnesota state page to find more.
How do I get listed on the Minnesota CNA registry?
To work as a CNA in Minnesota, you must be added to the official state registry. See our Minnesota CNA registry guide for step-by-step instructions.
Where do CNAs work in Mankato?
CNAs in Mankato are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 4 nursing homes, 1 hospital and 1 home health agency in Mankato. Many also use their CNA experience as a stepping stone to LPN or RN careers.
Information accuracy: requirements, salary data and other information are compiled from official sources but can change. Please confirm with the school or the state before making decisions. If you spot a mistake, let us know.