Online Schools and Colleges in Minnesota
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Accredited Degree Programs, Scholarships and Resources for Top Minnesota Schools
The state of Minnesota is well-known for having an educated population—only one other state has more adults who have earned at least an associate degree in college. But more students in the state are waiting to earn their college education until later in life, in favor of working straight out of high school.
For students who are ready to go back and earn their college degree in Minnesota, online programs offer flexibility to learn while also working and taking care of family commitments. This page provides helpful resources and answers commonly asked questions about online college costs in Minnesota, helps students sort through transfer credit confusion and see how much they could make by earning a college degree.
Best Online Colleges in Minnesota
Minnesota continues to make strides to increase the affordability of higher education. Minnesota is one of only three states in the country to increase funding by more than 5% between 2017 and 2018, and students can also take advantage of financial aid opportunities to help offset education costs.
This guide covers important information for students considering online schools and colleges in Minnesota, including financial aid opportunities, adult education programs, and helpful online resources.
University of Minnesota
- Minneapolis, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,318
- Out-of-state$31,616
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled51,327
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment30%
- AccreditationYes
Winona State University
- Winona, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,598
- Out-of-state$13,698
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled7,605
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
Bemidji State University
- Bemidji, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,858
- Out-of-state$7,858
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate65%
- Students Enrolled4,897
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment45%
- AccreditationYes
Bethel University
- Saint Paul, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$38,300
- Out-of-state$38,300
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled4,005
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
University of Minnesota Crookston
- Crookston, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,438
- Out-of-state$10,438
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled2,768
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
University of Minnesota Duluth
- Duluth, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,194
- Out-of-state$17,394
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled10,858
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment19%
- AccreditationYes
The College of Saint Scholastica
- Duluth, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$37,622
- Out-of-state$37,622
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled3,906
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
St. Catherine University
- Saint Paul, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$32,522
- Out-of-state$32,522
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled4,401
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment36%
- AccreditationYes
Saint Cloud State University
- Saint Cloud, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,394
- Out-of-state$15,686
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled13,049
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
Concordia University Saint Paul
- Saint Paul, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$22,800
- Out-of-state$22,800
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate98%
- Students Enrolled5,137
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
Hamline University
- Saint Paul, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$41,734
- Out-of-state$41,734
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled3,404
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment18%
- AccreditationYes
University of Northwestern St. Paul
- Saint Paul, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$31,580
- Out-of-state$31,580
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled3,525
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Mankato, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,394
- Out-of-state$15,686
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate63%
- Students Enrolled14,325
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
- Winona, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$36,050
- Out-of-state$36,050
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled5,548
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
Minnesota State University Moorhead
- Moorhead, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,632
- Out-of-state$15,264
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate65%
- Students Enrolled5,747
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
City Spotlight
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis’s 392,880 city residents tend to be well-educated Americans—the U.S. Census reports that 88 percent of the city’s high school students graduate and 45.5 percent of all residents 25 and older have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher. A 2013 study by Central Connecticut State University ranked Minneapolis as one of the nation’s most-literate cities. The community is diverse, rich with cultural and recreational opportunities and, according to the Regional Chamber of Commerce, maintains a commitment to sustainability and economic development.
Colleges and Universities in Minneapolis
COLLEGE | SIZE | TUITION | TYPE |
---|---|---|---|
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | 64,349 | $11,650 | Public |
Augsburg College | 4,935 | $29,794 | Not For Profit (Private) |
Dunwoody College of Technology | 1,978 | $16,182 | Not For Profit (Private) |
North Central University | 1,471 | $16,770 | Not For Profit (Private) |
Minneapolis College of Art and Design | 782 | $30,386 | Not For Profit (Private) |
Herzing University-Minneapolis | 288 (all are undergraduates) | $13,090 | Non-Profit |
Minneapolis Community and Technical College | 14,573 | $4,523 | Public |
How Can I Find Which Online Colleges Offer the Degree I’m Looking for in Minnesota?
Students in Minnesota can choose from many online programs, which may feel overwhelming. To ease the process of finding the right school, learners can search for online programs through the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Students can also use the following resource to learn more about online schools and programs in Minnesota.
How Much More Do College Grads in Minnesota Make?
Nearly half of Minnesota residents between the ages of 25 and 64 possess an associate degree or higher, giving the state the second-highest educational attainment percentage in the country. The following table outlines national average salaries by level of educational attainment, illustrating that higher levels of education typically correlate with higher salaries.
Less Than a High School Diploma | High School Diploma | Associate Degree | Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s Degree | Doctoral Degree |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$28,756 | $37,960 | $44,824 | $62,296 | $74,568 | $94,900 |
Source:Bureau of Labor Statistics
Paying for Online College in Minnesota: Tuition and Financial Aid
While efforts to help Minnesota students pay for school continue, state funding has yet to catch up to the pre-recession rates of 2008, per the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The table below outlines tuition rates for private and public institutions in Minnesota and how they compare to the national average.
Type of School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | National Average |
---|---|---|---|
Public | $11,226 | $20,736 | $9,037 (In-State), $25,657 (Out-of-State) |
Private | $32,416 | N/A | $30,731 |
Cost Considerations for Online Students in Minnesota
When weighing the costs of their education, students should consider expenses beyond tuition, such as travel, technology, and distance education fees.
- 1
Distance Education Fees
Some schools and programs require online students to pay distance education fees to cover the cost of online course administration.
- 2
Internet Costs
Online students typically need to pay monthly internet fees to access distance education material.
- 3
Residencies
Some online programs include on-campus residencies, which may require learners to pay for travel and room and board.
- 4
Technology and Materials
Online learning may require students to buy textbooks, software, and other learning materials.
Qualifying for In-State Tuition in Minnesota
Some programs allow all online students to pay the same tuition rate regardless of residency, while others offer tuition discounts for in-state students. Qualifications for in-state tuition vary by institution, but they may include residing in Minnesota for a particular length of time or working for a state organization. Students should research the in-state tuition requirements at each prospective school.
Grants for Minnesota College Students
Minnesota State Grant Program
Who Can Apply: Minnesota residents from low- and moderate-income families who attend eligible state schools qualify for this grant.
Amount: Varies
Alliss Opportunity Grant Program
Who Can Apply: Minnesota residents attending a state college or university who demonstrate financial need qualify for this opportunity.
Amount: Up to $1,100/year
Public Safety Officer’s Survivor Grant
Who Can Apply: Dependents and spouses of public safety officers who were killed in the line of duty qualify for this grant.
Amount: Up to $14,760/year
Minnesota Teacher Candidate Grant
Who Can Apply: This grant awards students pursuing a teaching career. Applicants must intend to teach in a geographical shortage area or belong to an underrepresented group in Minnesota.
Amount: Up to $7,500/term
Minnesota Educational Assistance for War Orphans
Who Can Apply: Candidates planning to attend a Minnesota institution who lost a parent to a military service-caused condition qualify for this grant.
Amount: Up to $750
The Importance of Accreditation for Online Colleges and Universities in Minnesota
Accreditation indicates that a school meets high academic standards and benefits students in several ways. For instance, only students at accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid, and many schools only recognize and accept degrees and transfer credits from accredited schools. Additionally, many employers prefer to hire candidates with an accredited degree.
Regional and National Accreditation
Schools may receive regional or national accreditation. National accreditation typically applies to for-profit technical and vocational schools, while regional accreditation applies to nonprofit, degree-granting institutions. Regional accreditation is generally considered the more prestigious of the two. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation(CHEA) oversees six organizations that provide regional accreditation depending on a school’s location. Minnesota schools receive accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.Subject-Specific Accreditation
Some programs within a school may also receive accreditation, such as business, nursing, and social work schools. Several industries require students to hold a degree from an accredited program to receive licenses or certifications. Students should research whether their intended career requires or prefers degrees from an accredited program.How to Know if Your School or Program is Accredited
Most schools and programs offer accreditation information on their websites. Students can also verify accreditation status through CHEAand Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programsdatabases.
Online College and Adult Education in Minnesota
Minnesota offers many programs and initiatives to support nontraditional students. Students can learn about several of Minnesota’s adult education programs and resources below.
By the Numbers: Adult Education in Minnesota
Forty-eight percent of Minnesota adults between the ages of 25 and 64 possess an associate degree or higher.
Minnesota ranks second among states for educational attainment in adults between the ages of 25 and 64.
Source:Education Attainment
Adult Education Programs for Minnesota Students
Online College Resources for Minnesota Students
The following list outlines several helpful resources for current and prospective Minnesota students, including information on financial aid opportunities, program availability, and state higher education policies.
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