Best Colleges in Minnesota

Minnesota, the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” actually has more than 11,000 bodies of water that are 10 acres or more. It’s also a place of extreme climates, experiencing hot summers and cold winters. With most of population residing in the Twin Cities (the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area), it’s not surprising that a number of colleges in Minnesota can be found clustered in this region. There are close to 200 higher education institutions in the State of Hockey, the majority being public or private not-for-profit. Hamline University is the oldest college in the state, while Carleton College is the most selective. Minnesota’s top industries include forestry, taconite mining, manufacturing, and agribusiness, primarily of sugar beets, sweet corn, green peas, and farm-raised turkeys. There’s also a notable high-technology sector, with many software companies calling this state home. The Mall of America, Gooseberry Falls State Park, and the Museum of Broadcasting are popular attractions.

How Were the Top Schools in Minnesota Chosen?

Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.

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Originally founded as a women’s college in 1911, Bethany Lutheran College is a coeducational Chrisitan liberal arts institution in southern Minnesota. Bethany grants undergraduate degrees in 24 academic majors and all classes are taught from a...

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The professors are great. The classes are small so you really get a lot of one-on-one time.

” – Kyle from Lakeville, MN
Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, MN
Crown College

Crown College is a private, Christ-centered institution established in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota. Crown College holds all attending students to a biblical standard of principles, and students are all required to attend chapel three times weekly. The...

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You end up with a mandatory major in biblical and theological studies, graduating after four years as a scholar in christian studies. You also are given the choice, which almost all students choose, to have another major. This is a missionary college...

” – Nicole from Orange City, IA
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Dunwoody College of Technology is a private, technical institution established in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dunwoody’s campus features a wide variety of facilities for students to explore and utilize, such as the architecture studios, the Automotive...

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Dunwoodys autobody program is one of the best! Very professional teachers and staff that are there to help make you successful! Lots of hands on lab work like you would do out in the field!!!

” – Jeffrey - Saint Francis, MN
Martin Luther College

Founded by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, Martin Luther College is a Christian institution dedicated to public ministry training. Martin Luther is the designated WELS College of Ministry and the college’s three bachelor’s degrees provide...

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mlc has a small campus and low student-teacher ratio. it is a family atmosphere in which everyone encourages and supports everyone else. because we all have the same goal - ministry - it makes school much easier to adapt to.

” – Shane from Westland, MI
Winona State University

With campus a short walk from the Mississippi River, Winona State University is a public institution in southeast Minnesota and the oldest school in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. WSU is home to five colleges conferring...

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Winona is a great college! I am absolutely learning a lot of information in a variety of classes! I am a nursing major, and I brought a year's worth of credits in with me from taking PSEO classes during my junior and senior years of high school...

” – Krystal from Echo, MN
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With campus a few blocks from the Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota Rochester is a regional campus of the UM system in southeast Minnesota with a focus on health sciences. UM Rochester offers bachelor’s degree programs in Nursing, Health...

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The professors at UMR are very helpful and extremely accessible. At least one professor per department has office and/or Just Ask hours weekly. The courses are rigorous, but the professors genuinely want to help the students learn. They challenge...

” – Nicole from Necedah, WI
University of Northwestern-St Paul

University of Northwestern - St. Paul is a Christian, liberal arts university established north of St. Paul in the town of Roseville. Along with traditional coursework, undergraduate students at UNW are also required to attend a daily chapel program...

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Northwestern offers a myriad of opportunities to learn more about almost every topic if you take advantage of everything! From a wide variety of classes, to interesting clubs, the friendly people where who are always willing to talk about their...

” – L,. Wausau, WI
Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University is a public institution located on the shore of Lake Bemidji in the rural town of Bemidji, Minnesota. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and has a “selective” admissions process. The...

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Im a second year freshman and the professors are nice and help the students that have questions. Some professors are confusing and drag on about 1 thing but studying with friends is helpful. friendly environment

” – Kayetoinette from Bemidji, MN
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With a campus on the upper and lower shores of Lake Marquette, Oak Hills Christian College is a Christian academy in the Minnesota Northwoods. Oak Hills offers six Biblical Studies bachelor’s degrees with concentrations in subjects such as Worship...

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It's a great college, with great professors, and a great heart for ministry! The community is very welcoming and it was a delight to attend there last semester.

” – A PSEO student from Oak Hills
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Concordia University in St. Paul is a private, Christ-centered institution located in the state of Minnesota. The college maintains a massive collection of academic program offerings, ranging from certificate-level to doctoral-level, with many...

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Class size is 20 and under and there are no TA's.

” – Ashley from Dayton, MN
Saint Cloud State University

With campus located along the Mississippi River, St. Cloud State University is a 4-year public institution and one of the largest universities in Minnesota. St. Cloud State confers bachelor’s degrees in over 200 academic programs and is the only...

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Although the core classes can be quite a joke. I do remember bits and pieces that may for some odd reason help me later in life.

” – Karen from Spicer, MN
Southwest Minnesota State University

Southwest Minnesota State University is a 4-year public school and a campus of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. SMSU hosts two colleges and three schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 55 academic majors. In addition to...

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yes i have sat in on a few classes and they are a lot harder than high school! Don't listen to the Dustin guy right above my review!

” – AM from MN
Minnesota State University Moorhead

Minnesota State University Moorhead is a 4-year public school in western Minnesota and a campus of the Minnesota State College and Universities system. MSUM is home to four colleges granting degrees in 82 academic majors. For sports fans, MSU...

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I am a sophomore this year, last year I learned so much I actually drug my friends to a couple of my classes because I thought they were that interesting. Now in high school it was never that way, I wanted to get drug out of class. But college is a...

” – LeAnn from Mounds View, MN
Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State University is a public, 4-year institution located primarily in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Along with the school’s main campus, MSU also maintains centers in both Midway and Minneapolis. While the college offers an expansive catalog of...

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Metropolitan state is a diverse school with supportive community. Been in my first I hard supportive instructors and peers who make my transition from high school to college in smooth way.

” – Adan from minneapolis, MN
North Central University

North Central University is a private, Christ-centered institution established in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Students enrolled at NCU are required to attend weekly chapel. The college features a unique core curriculum plan, which involves both a...

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The classes at North Central are great and well worth the money paid for them. Most of them cover subject matter that will relate to everyday life. Professors are caring and willing to help whenever a student needs it.

” – Maeve from Minneapolis, MN
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Bethlehem College & Seminary is a private, Christ-centered institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, alongside the Bethlehem Baptist Church. The college offers a Master of Divinity program, an Associate and a Bachelor of Arts program, a Bachelor...

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Minnesota State College Southeast is a 2-year technical and community college with two campuses. MSC Southeast is home to eight technical and vocational academic departments featuring over 30 degree and certificate-granting programs. Additionally...

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It's a small school, So your teachers know who you are. It has a great feel to it.

” – robin from Prescott, WI
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A private 4-year Christian college, Bethany Global University is dedicated to training students for missionary work. Bethany Global’s Bachelor of Arts programs are based in Christian foundations and the university offers degrees ranging from...

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The community among the students is very strong and welcoming. The professors are very invested into the lives of the students on campus, and share both their personal stories and knowledge of what God has taught them over the years to their class...

” – McKenna from Round Rock, TX
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Based out of Minneapolis, Walden University is an online for-profit college dedicated to adult learners. Walden confers undergrad and graduate degrees in over 80 academic programs. To accommodate working students’ schedules, Walden allows students to...

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