Minnesota offers a lot of educational opportunities through numerous colleges and universities catering to different academic interests and career aspirations. There are government-owned universities for students who do not mind the large class population. Students who are interested in a more intimate academic experience can choose from the many private colleges and universities.
There are esteemed liberal arts institutions like Carleton College and Macalester College, specialized schools such as the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. These are privately owned institutions that offer personalized attention and a strong emphasis on critical thinking and creativity.
If you are looking for a job-focused education, you might check out community and technical colleges. These schools offer shorter programs to help you get ready for work. This goes to show that within Minnesota’s educational ecosystem, one can find a variety of institutions, each with its own distinct character and focus. See the list of universities and colleges in Minnesota below.
Minnesota Colleges And Universities: An Overview
In Minnesota, there are different kinds of colleges and universities (Public, Private, etc.)
- State Universities: These universities are run by the state government. The University of Minnesota is the main one. It has campuses in different cities like Minneapolis, Duluth, Morris, Crookston, and Rochester.
- Public Colleges: Minnesota has a bunch of public colleges that offer two-year and four-year degrees. They are part of the Minnesota State system. There are 30 community and technical colleges and 7 state universities. These schools focus on providing practical education and job training.
- Private Colleges and Universities: These schools are privately owned. They often have smaller classes and are known for a strong focus on subjects like liberal arts, which includes things like literature, history, and philosophy. Examples include Carleton College, Macalester College, and St. Olaf College.
- Community and Technical Colleges: These are schools that offer shorter programs, usually two years or less. They focus on giving students skills for specific jobs or helping them start their education before transferring to a four-year college.
- Specialized Schools: Some schools focus on specific areas, like medicine or art. For example, the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is well-known for training doctors, while the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) is all about art and design.
Minnesota’s colleges and universities offer different options for students depending on what they want to study and how they want to learn. Whether someone is interested in big research universities, small liberal arts colleges, or practical job training, there is likely a school in Minnesota that fits their needs.
List of Universities And Colleges in Minnesota
Here is an exhaustive list of all the universities and Colleges in Minnesota.
- University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
- University of Minnesota – Duluth
- University of Minnesota – Morris
- University of Minnesota – Crookston
- University of Minnesota – Rochester
- Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Minnesota State University Moorhead
- St. Cloud State University
- Winona State University
- Metropolitan State University
- Bemidji State University
- Southwest Minnesota State University
- Concordia College, Moorhead
- St. Olaf College
- Carleton College
- Macalester College
- Gustavus Adolphus College
- Hamline University
- Augsburg University
- Bethel University
- St. Catherine University
- College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
- St. Mary’s University of Minnesota
- University of St. Thomas
- Crown College
- North Central University
- Northwestern Health Sciences University
- University of Northwestern – St. Paul
- The College of Saint Scholastica
- Luther Seminary
- Rasmussen College
- Saint Paul College
- Century College
- Dakota County Technical College
- Hennepin Technical College
- Anoka-Ramsey Community College
- Anoka Technical College
- North Hennepin Community College
- Ridgewater College
- Central Lakes College
- Pine Technical and Community College
- Riverland Community College
- South Central College
- Minnesota West Community and Technical College
- Alexandria Technical & Community College
- Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
- Lake Superior College
- Mesabi Range College
- Minnesota State College Southeast
- Minnesota State Community and Technical College
- Northland Community and Technical College
- Rainy River Community College
- Rochester Community and Technical College
- Vermilion Community College
- Hibbing Community College
- Inver Hills Community College
- Itasca Community College
- Leech Lake Tribal College
- Minneapolis Community and Technical College
- Minnesota State College – Southeast Technical – Red Wing
- Normandale Community College
- Northwest Technical College
- Red Lake Nation College
- Saint Cloud Technical and Community College
- White Earth Tribal and Community College
Fun Facts About Minnesota
Want to study at the best colleges in Minnesota? Here are some fun facts you should know about the States!
- Land of 10,000 Lakes: Minnesota is known for its abundance of lakes, they have over 10,000 of them scattered across the state.
- Prince: The legendary musician Prince was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and his influence on the music industry is widely celebrated.
- Bob Dylan: Another iconic musician associated with Minnesota is Bob Dylan, he grew up in Hibbing and started his music career in the Twin Cities area.
- Minnesota State Fair: The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and most popular state fairs in the United States, attracting millions of visitors each year with its attractions, entertainment, and food.
- Mall of America: The Mall of America located in Bloomington, is the largest shopping mall in the United States, featuring over 500 stores, an indoor amusement park, an aquarium, and much more.
- Twin Cities: Minneapolis and St. Paul, popularly known as the Twin Cities, form the cultural and economic heart of Minnesota, offering vibrant arts scenes, amazing culinary experiences, and numerous recreational opportunities.
- The world’s first successful open-heart surgery took place right in Minnesota in 1952.
- The Mayo Clinic, a medical giant known for its expertise and research, is located in Rochester, Minnesota.
Cost of Living in Minnesota
Below is the estimated cost of living in Minnesota based on data from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau:-
Housing: The typical home in Minnesota goes for around $250,000. Renting a one-bedroom apartment in cities like Minneapolis or St. Paul can cost between $1,000 and $1,500 a month.
Transportation: Gas prices in Minnesota are about $3.50 per gallon. If you are in a big city, you might rely on buses or trains, which are usually affordable.
Healthcare: The cost of health care depends on your insurance and where you go for care. Minnesota has top-notch medical facilities like the Mayo Clinic, which might affect prices.
Utilities: Expect to pay around $150 to $300 a month for things like electricity, water, and internet.
Groceries and Goods: Prices for everyday items are pretty much in line with the rest of the country.
While living in Minnesota might be a bit pricier than some other places, you get a lot in return, great public services, beautiful scenery, and great colleges and universities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Universities And Colleges in Minnesota
How many colleges and universities are in Minnesota?
Minnesota has around 75 colleges and universities. These include different types of schools, like community colleges, technical schools, and both big universities and small colleges.
How many 4 year universities are in Minnesota?
Minnesota has 12 4-year universities.
What is the largest college at the University of Minnesota?
The largest college at the University of Minnesota is the College of Liberal Arts.