Best Colleges in Minnesota
Minnesota ranks among the most educated states in the country, in both average level of educational attainment and the quality of education available. As a major center of education in the Midwest, the state is home to schools of all types and sizes – from small, elite liberal arts colleges like Carleton and Macalester to massive state schools like the University of Minnesota. To help you select the right Minnesota school for you, we compiled the following ranking, which offers an overview of the top colleges in the state.
Below, you’ll find information on 25 of the best colleges in Minnesota, including information related to each school’s reputation, selectivity, notable academic offerings or campus features, and online enrollment options. This list attempts to pinpoint unique features of each school, but it should serve as the beginning — not the end — of your research.
In terms of livability for college graduates, Minnesota ranks about average, with an unemployment rate near the national average (3.3% as of November 2019) and a cost of living slightly below the national average. The state hosts a diverse economy that includes one of the country’s top bioscience sectors, along with other major industries including data centers and operations, manufacturing, clean and renewable energy (particularly wind power), banking and finance, and agriculture and livestock products.
Best Accredited Colleges in Minnesota
- In-State$54,650
- Out-of-state$54,650
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate52%
- Students Enrolled3,046
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment0%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$62,244
- Out-of-state$62,244
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate22%
- Students Enrolled2,059
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Minneapolis, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$14,496
- Out-of-state$34,410
- In-State$18,468
- Out-of-state$28,578
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled54,890
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment37%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$62,270
- Out-of-state$62,270
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate28%
- Students Enrolled2,175
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$50,950
- Out-of-state$50,950
- In-State$14,910
- Out-of-state$14,910
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled1,470
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment2%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$52,490
- Out-of-state$52,490
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate62%
- Students Enrolled2,072
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment2%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$8,356
- Out-of-state$17,726
- In-State$8,836
- Out-of-state$13,256
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate71%
- Students Enrolled14,590
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$8,388
- Out-of-state$15,120
- In-State$8,320
- Out-of-state$12,560
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled6,154
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$12,766
- Out-of-state$18,210
- In-State$18,468
- Out-of-state$28,578
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled9,350
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$12,804
- Out-of-state$14,934
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled1,068
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment16%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.
We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2020. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.
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Explore More College Resources
View AllMBA Programs in Minnesota Overview
by Holland Webb
Updated September 28, 2023
Best Community Colleges in Minnesota
by Colin Weickmann
Updated October 11, 2024
Business Administration Careers
by Margaret Weinhold
Updated July 10, 2024
View the most relevant schools for your interests and compare them by tuition, programs, acceptance rate, and other factors important to finding your college home.