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Best Schools in Minnesota

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2023 Best Schools in Minnesota

49 Schools Ranked
$45,529 Average Earnings
$25,712 Avg Student Debt

It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamp that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Schools in Minnesota ranking. Our analysis looked at 49 schools in Minnesota to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in Minnesota

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

College of Saint Benedict

Saint Joseph, Minnesota
$40,995 Average Earnings

Our analysis found College of Saint Benedict to be the best school for students in Minnesota.

Once they receive their degree, CSB graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,995 during the early year of their career.

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#2

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
$56,351 Average Earnings
$21,455 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at University of St Thomas Minnesota helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Minnesota.

On average, students take out $21,455 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $307, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UST MN, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $56,351 during the early years of their career.

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#3

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Coon Rapids, Minnesota
$43,464 Average Earnings
$23,645 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Anoka-Ramsey Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Minnesota.

On average, students take out $23,645 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus graduates make an average of $43,464 annually.

Full Anoka-Ramsey Community College Report

#4

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, Minnesota
$38,133 Average Earnings
$24,571 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Gustavus Adolphus College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Schools in Minnesota list.

Degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus accumulate an average of $24,571 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Gustavus Adolphus graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,133 during the early year of their career.

Full Gustavus Adolphus College Report

#5

St Olaf College

Northfield, Minnesota
$34,897 Average Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend St Olaf College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Schools in Minnesota list.

Once they receive their degree, St. Olaf graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,897 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on St Olaf College

#6

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
$42,370 Average Earnings
$24,533 Avg Student Debt

North Hennepin Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #6 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,533 in student loans.After graduating from North Hennepin Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,370 during the early years of their career.

Full North Hennepin Community College Report

#7

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
$44,424 Average Earnings
$26,110 Avg Student Debt

Winona State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Minnesota ranking.

On average, students take out $26,110 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $176 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Winona State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,424 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Winona State University

#8

Dunwoody College of Technology

Minneapolis, Minnesota
$50,418 Average Earnings
$22,832 Avg Student Debt

Dunwoody College of Technology came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Minnesota ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,832 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Dunwoody College of Technology graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,418 during the early year of their career.

Full Dunwoody College of Technology Report

#9

Concordia College at Moorhead

Moorhead, Minnesota
$34,477 Average Earnings
$22,901 Avg Student Debt

Concordia College at Moorhead landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,901 in student loans.After graduating from Concordia College Moorhead, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,477 during the early years of their career.

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#10

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
$50,445 Average Earnings
$21,399 Avg Student Debt

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,399 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $257 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UMN Twin Cities graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,445 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Report

#11

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, Minnesota
$41,929 Average Earnings
$20,674 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, Normandale Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

On average, students take out $20,674 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Normandale Community College graduates make an average of $41,929 annually.

Full Normandale Community College Report

#12

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota
$43,896 Average Earnings
$25,667 Avg Student Debt

Bemidji State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #12 on the list.

Degree recipients from Bemidji State University accumulate an average of $25,667 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Bemidji State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,896 during the early years of their career.

Full Bemidji State University Report

#13

Rasmussen University - Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota
$41,281 Average Earnings
$30,701 Avg Student Debt

Rasmussen University - Minnesota ranked #13 on this year’s Best Schools in Minnesota list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,701 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $127, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Rasmussen University - Minnesota graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,281 during the early year of their career.

Full Rasmussen University - Minnesota Report

#14

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
$51,291 Average Earnings
$31,006 Avg Student Debt

Bethel University Minnesota did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #14 on the list.

Degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota accumulate an average of $31,006 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $356 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Bethel University Minnesota graduates make an average of $51,291 annually.

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$40,141 Average Earnings
$15,948 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, Alexandria Technical & Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

On average, students take out $15,948 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from ATCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,141 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Alexandria Technical & Community College

#16

University of Minnesota - Crookston

Crookston, Minnesota
$51,681 Average Earnings
$30,462 Avg Student Debt

University of Minnesota - Crookston ranked #16 on this year’s Best Schools in Minnesota list.

Degree recipients from UMN Crookston accumulate an average of $30,462 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, UMN Crookston graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,681 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Minnesota - Crookston

$46,060 Average Earnings
$24,437 Avg Student Debt

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Minnesota ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,437 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $133, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Minnesota State Mankato graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,060 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Minnesota State University - Mankato

#18

University of Minnesota - Duluth

Duluth, Minnesota
$41,529 Average Earnings
$23,164 Avg Student Debt

University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #18 on this year’s Best Schools in Minnesota list.

Degree recipients from UMN Duluth accumulate an average of $23,164 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $202, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UMN Duluth graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,529 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Minnesota - Duluth

#19

St Cloud Technical and Community College

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
$40,365 Average Earnings
$18,381 Avg Student Debt

St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #19 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,381 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, St Cloud Technical and Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,365 during the early year of their career.

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$41,604 Average Earnings
$22,298 Avg Student Debt

Rochester Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #20 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,298 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Rochester Community and Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,604 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Rochester Community and Technical College

#21

The College of Saint Scholastica

Duluth, Minnesota
$48,635 Average Earnings
$30,536 Avg Student Debt

The College of Saint Scholastica ranked #21 on this year’s Best Schools in Minnesota list.

On average, students take out $30,536 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $314 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from St. Scholastica, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,635 during the early years of their career.

Full The College of Saint Scholastica Report

#22

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota
$41,396 Average Earnings
$25,733 Avg Student Debt

Hamline University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #22 on the list.

On average, students take out $25,733 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $288 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Hamline graduates make an average of $41,396 annually.

Read More…

$40,896 Average Earnings
$25,798 Avg Student Debt

Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #23 on this year’s Best Schools in Minnesota list.

On average, students take out $25,798 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, MSU Moorhead graduates make an average of $40,896 annually.

Full Minnesota State University - Moorhead Report

#24

Century College

White Bear Lake, Minnesota
$40,997 Average Earnings
$22,112 Avg Student Debt

Century College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #24 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,112 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Century College graduates make an average of $40,997 annually.

Read full report on Century College

#25

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
$50,712 Average Earnings
$26,790 Avg Student Debt

Augsburg University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #25 on the list.

Degree recipients from Augsburg accumulate an average of $26,790 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Augsburg, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,712 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

View Best Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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