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.

Explore the Best Universities in Minnesota with Appily!

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From its tree-lined campus in the midst of hills and wetlands, Inver Hills Community College is a 2-year institution in the Twin Cities area. Inver Hills confers degrees and certificates in 28 fields of study including Gender and Women Studies and...

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Check out the Inver Hills website, and you might be surprised at what kind of programs and degrees are available! If you end up attending here, take advantage of your professor's office hours: they love it when students come in for clarification, or...

” – Karina from Eagan, MN
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With campus a short walk from the banks of the Mississippi River, St. Cloud Technical and Community College is a 2-year institution and the second oldest technical college in central Minnesota. St. Cloud is home to six academic departments hosting...

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Riverland Community College is a 2-year community college with three campuses in southern Minnesota. Richland is home to 17 academic career clusters featuring 97 degree and certificate-granting fields of study and 27 programs are available entirely...

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Vermilion Community College is a public, 2-year institution established on an 80-acre campus nearby the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Ely, Minnesota. Vermilion offers over 25 associate’s degree and certificate programs, including unique...

Century College
White Bear Lake, MN
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Century College is a public, two-year institution that focuses on both community and technical education. Century College’s 170-acre campus, which is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, maintains a variety of facilities, including LGBTQ and...

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i really want to go to this school, but I'm still researching it. i think its a great school and i will learn a lot from it.

” – Patience from New Brighton, MN
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Minnesota West Community and Technical College is a 2-year institution with five campuses and two extension sites in southwest Minnesota. Minnesota West offers degrees and certificates in over 60 academic subjects. Of those, 46 degrees and...

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Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Luther Seminary is a Christian grad school in St. Paul with a mission of training future Christian leaders. Luther offers master’s degree programs in Divinity, Theology, and Arts as well as Doctorates...

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The Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is a research institution specializing in training doctors and medical scientists on three campuses in Phoenix, Jacksonville, and Rochester, Minnesota. US News & World Report ranks The Mayo Clinic Alix School...

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The Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is a graduate-level medical school with three locations in Rochester, MN, Phoenix, and Jacksonville. The Mayo Clinic Graduate School offers PhD programs in seven areas of medicine as well as an...

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Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is a private, medical education institution with campuses located in Minnesota, Arizona, and Florida. Mayo Clinic offers over 100 academic programs throughout dozens of health sciences fields of study, awarding...

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The Mitchell Hamline School of Law is a legal institution in St. Paul. Mitchell Hamline offers its JD program in full-time and part-time options as well as a hybrid JD program on campus and online—the first program of its kind in any ABA-accredited...

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North Hennepin Community College

Make College Affordable

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I learn something new everyday and I just keep striving to learn more.

” – Mee from Minneapolis, MN
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Alexandria Technical & Community College is a 2-year vocational school and community college in central Minnesota. ATCC offers seven academic areas of study conferring over 40 associate degrees and certificates. To promote diversity on campus, ATCC...

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Anoka Technical College is a 2-year technical and vocational school in the Twin Cities metro area. With seven academic divisions, Anoka Tech offers over 35 programs granting degrees and certificates. The college’s Golf Course Management program...

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Anoka-Ramsey Community College is a public, 2-year institution with campuses established in both Cambridge and Coon Rapids, and is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. At the lowest tuition rate in the state, ARCC offers...

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lowest tuition in minnesota.

” – Antonia from NEW BRIGHTON, MN
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The Brainerd campus of Central Lakes College is a 2-year community college sitting on the banks of the Mississippi River in central Minnesota. CLC is home to 11 academic departments and an Honors Program. In addition to classroom space, CLC Brainerd...

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Dakota County Technical College is a 2-year technical and vocational school in the Twin Cities metro area. DCTC is home to nine academic departments offering degrees and certificates. The college’s Brewing and Beer Steward Technology program provides...

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Established in 1987, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is a public, 2-year institution located within the reserve portion of Cloquet, Minnesota, with a satellite facility in Red Lake. The college offers over 30 academic areas of concentration...

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With two campuses located in the Minneapolis suburbs of Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie, Hennepin Technical College is a public technical school training students hailing from the Twin Cities area. In 2012, both campuses were renovated and updated...

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Hennepin Tech has reasonable hours, and instructors who understand the tough life schedule .

” – Michael from Chaska, MN