10 Best Colleges in Minnesota 

“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” This is a statement made by Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States of America. It shows how important quality education is in any nation.  

Minnesota is a Midwestern U.S. state bordering Canada and Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes. The state also contains over 10,000 other lakes, including Lake Itasca, the Mississippi River’s primary source.  

This article gives the 10 best colleges in Minnesota with a brief description of each college.

In addition, in this article, you would learn why you should consider studying in the best colleges in Minnesota and the cost of studying in Minnesota. Keep reading.  

Table of contents

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Why Should You Study in Minnesota?

There are several reasons why you should consider studying in Minnesota. Some of the reasons are:

In Minnesota, there are over 200 universities for you to choose from. Amongst these 200 universities, the best colleges in Minnesota offer the best schooling experience.

These universities offer a wide range of courses ranging from business to engineering, education, medicine, law.

By studying in Minnesota, you can be assured to enjoy a quality of life. The state of Minnesota is the third happiest state in the entire US, and the largest of the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, is often cited as one of the healthiest too.

Students in Minnesota can enjoy excellent healthcare, low levels of stress, and, if they are so inclined, the longest bike tracks in the country while there.  

The word ‘Minnesota’ comes from the Dakota word for ‘clear blue water’, which seems only fitting considering the state’s absurd number of lakes. Lakes and outdoor activities are a big part of Minnesotan life, with many people going to the lakes to camp, hike, and fish.

The state also has a multitude of snow sports in the winter, along with some iconic wildlife including wolves, black bears, bobcats, and the famous groundhog. This makes the studying experience fun all the way.  

The best colleges in Minnesota are internationally recognized and Minnesota also holds the top companies. This means there are many employment opportunities for you once you graduate from any of these best colleges in Minnesota.  

The unemployment rate in Minnesota is below average for the United States, at 3.5% compared to 5% across the US. This means that you are most likely to be employed 4months after graduation.  

If you are interested in politics and activism will find Minnesota fascinating. Its people are highly politically active compared to other states, with around 70-80% of the population using their vote each election.

It has also been ranked as one of the most well-educated states in the USA, with Minneapolis named the USA’s most literate city in 2015 and over half the population possessing a degree. 

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What is the Cost of Going to College in Minnesota?

The cost of Minnesota state colleges and universities are for average full-time tuition and fees per year for Minnesota residents. Some colleges and universities charge additional fees.

Also the cost of the fee would also depend on the program you have chosen. Some of the state colleges and their estimated cost of tuition is-  

From this, it can be seen that the estimated amount for tuition in Minnesota is between $6000 to $5000. You would, however be required to contact the college you are willing to attend to be provided with full information.  

  • Alexandria Technical & Community College- $5,796
  • Anoka-Ramsey Community College- $5,515
  • Anoka Technical College- $6,074
  • Central Lakes College- $6,011
  • Century College- $5,907
  • Dakota County Technical College- $6,208
  • Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College- $5,815 

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10 Best Colleges in Minnesota in 2024

#1. Carleton College

Ranked among the nation’s best colleges, Carleton College is a small, private liberal arts college in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota. 

It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,940 as of fall 2020, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 955 acres. It utilizes a trimester-based academic calendar. 

Carleton College’s ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #9. Its tuition and fees are $60,225. 

See Our Full Review on Carleton University Acceptance Rate in 2024

#2. Macalester College

Ranked among the best colleges in Minnesota, Macalester offers a close-knit community with the benefit of being in Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,049 (fall 2020), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 53 acres. 

It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Macalester College’s ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #27. Its tuition and fees are $60,518. It is one of the best colleges in Minnesota.  

#3. University of Minnesota twin cities

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (the U of M or Minnesota) is a public land-grant research university in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. 

The Twin Cities campus comprises locations in Minneapolis and Falcon Heights, a suburb of St. Paul, approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) apart. 

The Twin Cities campus is the oldest and largest in the University of Minnesota system and has the ninth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 51,327 students in 2019–20. 

It is the flagship institution of the University of Minnesota System and is organized into 19 colleges, schools, and other major academic units. 

Check Our Full Review on University Of Minnesota: Admission, Courses Offered Tuition Fee, Ranking

#4. St. Olaf College

St. Olaf College is a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota. The school was founded in 1874 by a group of Norwegian-American pastors and farmers led by Pastor Bernt Julius Muus. St Olaf College’s average cost after aid is $24K with a graduation rate of 88%. 

The college, being one of the best colleges in Minnesota has an acceptance rate of 51% 

#5. University of St. Thomas – Minnesota

The University of St. Thomas is a private Catholic university in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

It was founded in 1885 as a Catholic seminary, it is named after Thomas Aquinas, the medieval Catholic theologian and philosopher who is the patron saint of students. 

Being one of the best colleges in Minnesota, the average cost after aid is $29K with an average graduation rate of 76%. The University of St. Thomas has an acceptance rate of 87%.  

#6. Gustavus Adolphus College

Gustavus Adolphus College is a private institution that was founded in 1862. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,245 as of fall 2020, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 340 acres. 

It utilizes a 4-1-4-based academic calendar. Gustavus Adolphus College’s ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #79. Its tuition and fees are $50,690. It is one of the best colleges in Minnesota.  

#7. University of Minnesota Crookston

University of Minnesota—Crookston is a public institution founded in 1966. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,530 as of fall 2020, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 108 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. 

The University of Minnesota—Crookston’s ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Colleges Midwest, #25. 

Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,556; out-of-state tuition and fees are $12,556. 

They offer several majors for students and even if you are unsure what to major on, there are also resources to help you decide. 

It is one of the highest-ranking colleges in Minnesota.  

#8. Concordia College

Concordia is one of the best colleges in Minnesota. It has a strong foundation in the liberal arts which runs through the entire curriculum.

In Concordia, students complete two signature integrative learning experiences focused on active learning outside the classroom.

They have three schools- The Sanford Heimarck School of Health Professions, Arts and Sciences, and the Offutt School of Business. 

They are designed to develop critical and creative thinking skills while giving a broad perspective on the world and its students. Concordia college is one of the best colleges in Minnesota.  

#9. St. Catherine University

Catherine University is a private Catholic liberal arts university in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was established as one of the first institutions of higher learning specifically for women in the Midwest, the school was known as the College of St. Catherine until 2009. 

The average cost after aid is $19K, with a graduation rate of 52%. Catherine university has an acceptance rate of 76%. It is one of the best colleges in Minnesota.  

#10. Saint John’s University

Saint John’s is an above-average private, Catholic university in Collegeville Township, Minnesota. 

It is a small institution with an enrollment of 1,604 undergraduate students. Admissions are somewhat competitive as Saint John’s acceptance rate is 78%. 

Popular majors include Business, Accounting, and Economics. Graduating 75% of students, Saint John’s alumni earn a starting salary of $45,200. It is one of the best colleges in Minnesota.  

 Conclusion

In the best colleges in Minnesota, there is a close-knit, supportive environment. There are hundreds of students from different backgrounds. In these 10 best colleges in Minnesota, the college’s faculty, student life, campus, and even college diversity have been ranked quite high.  

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