Colleges in Minnesota
Why go to College in Minnesota?
Minnesota offers an array of educational opportunities for students living in rural or urban areas, and whether they're interested in a large university or a small college. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system has a reputation for academic excellence, and is comprised of seven state institutions and 31 state community and technical colleges. The system has made affordability one of its hallmarks, as well, so students can receive a high-quality education at an affordable price.
What Options are Available for Colleges in Minnesota?
On-Campus
Attending classes on campus is still the most common way of learning in Minnesota. This method engages students in multi-sensory learning that blends real-time instructor-led lectures, class discussions, and peer interaction. While these features are also found in many distance learning programs in Minnesota, some students may prefer a traditional classroom setting in order to remain focused and/or manage their time effectively.
One advantage to attending college on campus is the access to numerous extracurricular activities and living experiences, such as state-of-the-art fitness centers, intramural sports, and close proximity to peers. Studying on campus may be more expensive because of fees, rent, and other costs, but many students consider it a worthwhile investment because of these experiences.
Online Programs
An increasing number of students are choosing to learn from a distance via online learning, as it provides them the affordability and flexibility an on-campus education may not. Schools one of the many learning management systems, such as Blackboard or Canvas, to deliver the coursework synchronously or asynchronously. With synchronous learning, students log on at established times to attend classes and complete assignments. Asynchronous learning offers the most freedom: students log onto classes at their own convenience, but meet established guidelines for homework and other assignments. There is also a hybrid learning model that blends the two.
Online learning requires students possess good time-management skills, and self-motivation is essential to succeed in an online learning format. To determine a student's suitability for online learning, they should participate in a demo offered by many institutions that provides hands-on experience with the school's online model of delivery. Students who can thrive in an online environment benefit from added flexibility without compromising educational quality, which leaves time to manage family, career, and other personal obligations.
Hybrid Programs
Online programs that blend face-to-face and web-based learning are called hybrids. Online colleges in Minnesota offer hybrid programming that may vary, with between 25% to 85% of courses delivered online and the rest completed on campus. The online portion of hybrid courses may also be delivered asynchronously or synchronously.
Students who want the would like the flexibility of online learning, and the social and instructional benefits of on-campus learning, will benefit from hybrid models. Some degree programs may even require a hybrid format since there are requirements that necessitate time on campus. For instance, a biology major may complete textbook learning online, but head to campus for lab exercises and research.
Popular Degree Programs in Minnesota
Minnesota is consistently ranked as one of most livable states in the country, in part because it hosts leading medical, manufacturing, and bioscience firms. These companies set the pace for the development of medical devices, create cutting-edge solutions to complex health problems, and buoy the state's economy through manufacturing. The most popular majors among students in the state reflect the needs of these industries.
Social Sciences Social science degrees are tops in Minnesota, which includes degrees in law, education, healthcare, and communications. The state's significant base of companies in manufacturing, biosciences, and other sectors require a range of employees to support these businesses. A thriving business hub also needs professionals to address the needs of workers themselves, such as teachers to educate children and professionals to address healthcare.
Business management and administration A degree in business management and administration provides businesses in the state with professionals versed in the knowledge and skills to staff administrative support and managerial positions. These businesses require qualified people in accounting, marketing, and human resources, key areas of study covered in this degree program.
What are the Best Online Colleges in Minnesota?
An increasing number of students are turning to online education as an affordable way to attend college while juggling competing work or family obligations. Online schools in Minnesota are among the best in the world, and offers a thriving economy that is one of the strongest in the nation. This section uses a rigorous methodology to determine the ranking of the best online schools in Minnesota. Students will find it an invaluable resource in decision-making about which online college in Minnesota is most suitable.
Top 13 Online Colleges in Minnesota for 2019
Admissions Rate
61%
Graduation Rate
70%
Online Enrollment
31%
Retention Rate
84%
Default Rate
5%
Founded in 1912 in Duluth, the College of Saint Scholastica is a private institution of around 4,000 students. Regarded as one of the top online colleges in Minnesota, the school is home to a robust distance education program that offers degrees in the areas of business and technology, education, health sciences, and nursing. Some of CSC's unique degree programs include physical therapy, organizational behavior, and an MBA in rural healthcare. Many courses are taught in a synchronous format, which allows students to interact with peers and teachers through live virtual meetings. CSC's learning platform offers tools that make it easy to collaborate and perform group work, giving online learners a virtual space that mimics the engagement of classroom learning. The school also provides substantial resources for online degree candidates, including personal academic advisors, counseling, and tutoring services.
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What are the Best Online Community Colleges in Minnesota?
Students from all backgrounds use two-year and community colleges to earn their associate degrees in any number of disciplines. Since community colleges are cheaper than four-year institutions, many students complete the first two years of their four-year degree at these schools, and do so completely online. Minnesota is an attractive draw to students seeking a quality education at a reasonable price.
This section provides students with a ranking of the best online community colleges in Minnesota. Devised with a rigorous methodology, it is is an invaluable resource to help students determine which online schools in Minnesota meet their academic and financial needs.
Top 15 Online Community Colleges in Minnesota
Graduation Rate
64%
Online Enrollment
27%
Retention Rate
71%
Default Rate
12%
Alexandria Tech serves as a leader among online community colleges in Minnesota. The school of 4,000 boasts some of the best graduation, retention, and placement rates among any of the state's two-year colleges. Founded in the 1960s, Alexandria offers students the opportunity to complete the first half of a four-year degree and earn certificates that help them integrate seamlessly into the workforce.
The school offers dozens of programs in fields like healthcare, art and design, law enforcement, industrial technology, sales, and transportation. Students can also pursue an individualized studies program online. This generalist degree builds credits that transfer to one of the many universities with which Alexandria Tech maintains articulation agreements. The college also holds partnerships with many national and state businesses and industries.
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How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in Minnesota
Minnesota has a very educated populace, with 10.7% of adults over the age of 25 holding associate degrees; nearly 34% of adults age 25 and older hold at least a bachelor's degree, which is above the national average of 29.7%. Although the state spends less money on postsecondary education than the national average, it remains a hub of rigorous educational programming, excelling in fields such as advanced manufacturing and biosciences.
| Minnesota | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $5,695 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 4.3% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 10.7% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 22.5% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 11.2% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in Minnesota
College tuition is a significant investment for students and their families, and should be carefully considered in the decision-making process. While tuition at colleges in Minnesota is higher than the national average, online students save money on fees, room and board, transportation, and other expenses that most on-campus students incur. They also receive an education in one of the top collegiate systems in the nation.
Tuition Prices
Tuition at two-year and four-year colleges in Minnesota is $5,377 and $10,952, respectively, both above the national average, according to the College Board. Note that these numbers do not include other costs such as rent and transportation, which students avoid when attending college online.
Financial Aid
While a college education is an investment in one's future, many students and their families need assistance paying for college. Financial aid comes in different forms — scholarships, grants, and loans — and most every school offers some combination of the three. This is determined by the specific program's requirements, and can also be based on a student's needs or merit.
Scholarships may be federally-funded, institutional (awarded by the school), or offered by private organizations or businesses based on merit or special abilities. They do not have to be repaid.
Grants are usually awarded based on need. They also do not need to be repaid.
Loans must be repaid and are federally or privately issued.
Financial aid that does not need to be repaid is obviously preferable, as it mitigates a student's debt burden. The first step in the financial aid process is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which determines one's eligibility for financial aid.
Cost for Online Programs in Minnesota
Online learning saves money because students avoid paying the additional fees, rent, transportation, childcare, and other expenses common for on-campus students. Though tuition may be the same, these fees and extra living costs can add up.
Cost of Living by Region
The cost of a student's living expenses are impacted by where a student chooses to attend college. Rent and other expenses are more costly in areas like Minneapolis-St. Paul and the surrounding suburbs, compared to more rural areas. The cost of living will also impact a student's debt upon graduation. The table below provides a sample of housing costs across the upper Midwest.
Scholarships for Minnesota College Students
Can all Scholarships be Used for Online Programs?
Most scholarships can be applied to schools in Minnesota, whether a student is planning to attend on-campus or online. However, there may be instances in which scholarships have additional requirements that may preclude applicability for online colleges in Minnesota. Students should contact the specific scholarship sponsor to ensure that it can be used for online study.
Employment Outlook in Minnesota
The unemployment rate in Minnesota is among the lowest in the nation at 3.8%, below the national rate of 4.3%. The state's thriving economy is due to the various industries — such as manufacturing, healthcare, and biosciences — that make up its economic backbone. The annual mean wage for the state is $51,330, above the national average of $49,630. Educated professionals with degrees in the social sciences and business administration can expect a job market with far more job opportunities than many other places in the nation.
| Minnesota | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, May 2017 | 3.8% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $51,330 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in Minnesota
Top Industries in Minnesota
Education and Health Services: This industry includes jobs at all levels of education, such as teachers and teachers assistants; it also includes doctors, nurses, and administrators who staff doctor's offices, hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and nursing homes, and those involved in providing social assistance.
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: This industry is part of a supersector that includes wholesale and retail trade, transportation and warehousing, and utilities. It includes manufacturing and construction, and the jobs affiliated with those industries which may be technical or non-technical.
Professional and Business Services: This is one of the fastest growing industries and includes administrative jobs and managerial positions. Employees have professional and technical expertise in areas such as accounting, computer services, architecture, law, and engineering.
Top Employers in Minnesota
Office and Administrative Support Occupations: 404,120 employees
Sales and Related Occupations: 275,740 employees
Food Preparation and Serving-Related Occupations : 236,820 employees
Source: careerinfonet.org
Accreditation for Colleges in Minnesota
A school's accreditation status is an important factor in one's decision. Accreditation by a regional or national accrediting agency ensures the school and its programs meet high standards. In order to secure accreditation, schools complete a rigorous accreditation process every three or four years. Once the school meets the established criteria, it can earn accreditation.
Regional accreditation is the most prestigious and popular form of accreditation.
Regional accreditation is the most prestigious and popular form of accreditation. The NCA (North Central Association of Colleges and Schools) is one of the six regional accrediting bodies in the U.S., and its Higher Learning Commission accredits schools in Minnesota. Most online schools in Minnesota are part boast accreditation from this body.
Schools may also be nationally accredited by one of three of the most popular national accrediting agencies: the Distance Education and Training Council, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, and Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
Resources for Students in Minnesota
Career and Education Explorer : The repository provides students with an easy-to-use online tool with information about jobs in Minnesota, and the level of postsecondary education and skills needed to secure them.
Minnesota State Career Wise Education : A Minnesota State University career and education resource that allows students to assess their skills, set educational and career goals, and explore more than 800 careers completely online.
Ready, Set, Go MN : This site is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education and provides high school students with information about concurrent enrollment in high school and college, college enrollment options, Advanced Placement, and other ways to get a jumpstart on a college education, including distance learning.
Minnesota Transfer : The state has streamlined the transfer process from college to college. This site provides students with all the information they need, from the application process to financial aid and resources available.
Minnesota Office of Higher Education : Military students can access information about benefits that are specific to Minnesota, such as financial aid and scholarships.