Best Colleges in Minnesota: In terms of both average educational attainment and the caliber of the educational options offered, Minnesota is one of the states with the highest educational levels in the nation. As a key hub for education in the Midwest, the state is home to institutions of every size and style, from enormous state universities like the University of Minnesota to small, prestigious liberal arts colleges like Carleton and Macalester. The ranking below provides a summary of the best colleges in Minnesota and might assist you in choosing the best institution.
The top 10 colleges in Minnesota are profiled here, along with details on each institution’s standing, admission standards, standout academic programs, campus amenities, and online enrollment choices. This list makes an attempt to identify distinctive characteristics of each institution, however it should only be used as the starting point for further research.
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10 Best Colleges in Minnesota
- St Olaf College – Northfield, MN
- Carleton College – Northfield, MN
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities – Minneapolis, MN
- Macalester College – Saint Paul, MN
- College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University – Collegeville, MN
- Gustavus Adolphus College – Saint Peter, MN
- Minnesota State University – Mankato, MN
- Winona State University – Winona, MN
- University of Minnesota – Duluth, MN
- University of Minnesota – Morris, MN
Below are brief reviews on each of the best colleges in Minnesota:
1. St. Olaf College

St. Olaf College, which is situated in Northfield about 45 miles south of the Twin Cities and enrolls roughly 3,000 students yearly, is regarded as one of the best liberal arts universities in the nation. St. Olaf is a baccalaureate school that only accepts undergraduates and grants bachelor of arts and bachelor of music degrees. Many majors in the humanities and social sciences are available to students, including Latin American studies, music education, political science, studies of race and ethnicity, and women’s and gender studies.
With 73% of the 2017 graduating class taking part in international programs, St. Olaf is one of the top universities in the nation for the amount of students who study abroad. The university offers more than 120 domestic and international study programs, and a large portion of its undergraduate curriculum integrates global themes. Many students take part in various study abroad programs, learning about other cultures in places like China, New Zealand, and Cuba.
2. Carleton College

Carleton College, another of the finest liberal arts colleges in the nation, is likewise located in Northfield and serves more than 2,000 undergraduate students only. Carleton has one of the greatest percentages of graduates who go on to earn doctorates, and several Rhodes and Fulbright Scholars have graduated from the institution. Astronomy, creative writing, East Asian studies, public policy, studio art, and literary and cultural studies are just a few of the more than 60 academic majors and minors in the arts and sciences that students can select from.
Students at Carleton, one of the most selective universities in the nation, benefit from a curriculum that is extremely demanding. While all seniors do a thorough project centered on their major, which necessitates substantial study under strict faculty supervision, all first-year students also complete an introductory argument and inquiry seminar. Depending on the interests and goals of each student, these projects may take on various shapes. Students have previously been asked to write substantial research papers, create mobile applications, and helm short films.
3. University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
The University of Minnesota, a significant public research institution with locations in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, enrolls more than 50,000 students yearly, making it the largest public school in the state. The University of Minnesota, which is home to 19 academic colleges and institutions, is known for having some of the best programs in the nation in specialties such clinical psychology, healthcare administration, midwifery, public health, and speech-language pathology. Along with being one of the top research universities in the nation, UMN has ties to 30 Nobel laureates.
More than 140 undergraduate majors and more than 200 graduate programs are available at UMN, which grants degrees in academic and professional fields at all levels. The Minnesota Population Center, the Institute for Translational Neuroscience, the Center for Cognitive Sciences, and the Institute on the Environment are just a few of the more than 300 centers and institutes that make up one of the largest colleges in the nation.
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4. Macalester College
With a student body of roughly 2,100, Macalester College, which is located in Saint Paul, is one of the best liberal arts colleges in the nation. Although having a tiny student body, the school provides more than 60 different academic fields, such as community and global health, critical theory, German studies, international development, and urban studies. The pre-law and pre-medicine programs at Macalester are just two of the pre-professional options available to students. They can also create their own interdisciplinary majors.
Internships, independent study projects, off-campus courses, and study abroad options are just a few of the ways that Macalester, one of the nation’s most prestigious liberal arts institutions, encourages students to learn outside the traditional classroom setting. Via approved programs they complete during the winter and summer semesters, independent study and internships allow students to earn up to 10 credits annually. Moreover, Macalester places a strong emphasis on international studies, and several majors include study abroad requirements in their curricula.
5. College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, which were founded in 1961 as a collaboration between two liberal arts colleges, provide students with the resources and academic diversity of two full-fledged institutions. Saint John’s University for men and the College of Saint Benedict for women used to be two independent institutions, but they now work together, with students taking classes and accessing the resources on both campuses. All other amenities at the colleges are coeducational; the colleges solely maintain gender distinction in housing.
CSBSJU primarily serves undergraduate students, with 3,600 of them enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs. Several liberal arts and sciences majors and minors, including as biochemistry, book arts, classical languages, Hispanic studies, and sociology, are available at the institution. Also, undergraduates have a variety of pre-professional programs to choose from, such as those in dentistry, veterinary medicine, and optometry. A modest number of graduate degrees are available through the institution, all of which have a theological or ministry concentration.
6. Gustavus Adolphus College
Gustavus Adolphus College, a private liberal arts institution connected to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has a campus in St. Peter, about 10 miles north of Mankato, and enrolls roughly 2,400 students. The school only accepts undergraduates and offers bachelor of arts degrees in more than 70 majors, such as physical therapy, comparative literature, computer science, gender and sexuality studies, and African studies. Pre-professional courses are also available at Gustavus, such as pre-law, pre-medicine, and pre-engineering.
Due to its modest size, the school can offer each student individualized support. All incoming first-year students sign up for a first-term seminar that develops the fundamentals of critical thinking and academic writing. This seminar is led by a qualified advisor. The college places a strong emphasis on writing abilities throughout the undergraduate curriculum, and the writing center at the school offers free tutoring to all students. Strong internship and career development programs that are centered on academic and professional advancement are also advantageous to students.
7. Minnesota State University – Mankato
One of the biggest universities in the state, Minnesota State University, Mankato enrolls more than 15,000 students each year. With more than 90 graduate programs and over 130 undergraduate programs, Minnesota State Mankato offers a wide range of degrees. The university also provides a number of totally online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in fields like special education, applied leadership, dental hygiene, technical communication, and business administration.
With one of the highest percentages of international students in the country, Minnesota State Mankato places a strong emphasis on cross-cultural interaction and global education. More than 1,300 foreign students who attend the university who represent more than 90 nations receive all-encompassing support from the Kearney Center for International Students and the Center for English Language Programs. A sizable study abroad program is also offered by Minnesota State Mankato through its Center for Education Abroad and Away.
8. Winona State University
Winona State University, a public institution that accepts both undergraduate and graduate students, with about 9,000 students enrolled each year. The university, which has its headquarters in Winona, about an hour’s drive west of Rochester, divides its academic programs into five colleges: liberal arts, business, education, nursing and health sciences, science and engineering, and business. In addition to offering more than 40 graduate programs and more than 80 undergraduate programs, WSU also offers a number of hybrid and online degrees.
The Warrior Success Center, which provides academic counseling, access services, and tutoring, provides assistance to WSU students of all academic levels. The tutoring services at WSU are available to all enrolled students who need help with their coursework and assignments. These services include general help with math and writing as well as assistance in more specialized subjects like economics, accounting, and statistics. College advisers support career and degree planning, while access services provide accommodations for students with physical and mental limitations.
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9. University of Minnesota – Duluth
The University of Minnesota Duluth, a significant regional outpost of the University of Minnesota System, enrolls around 11,000 students each year and grants more than 90 undergraduate and graduate degrees. More than 150 majors and minors are available to undergraduates, including professional writing, marketing, deaf studies, jazz studies, and cultural entrepreneurship. Two graduate options in tribal administration and governance and tribal resources and environmental stewardship are offered by the school.
Via its Academic Writing and Learning Center, UMD offers complete assistance to students, including academic tutoring and extra teaching. This includes the University of Maryland Seminar, a one- or two-credit course designed to ease new students into higher education. The university’s tutoring facility provides individual and group tutoring sessions for all undergraduate topics and majors. For students of all levels and for all types of writing projects, the school’s writer’s workshop offers comprehensive writing guidance.
10. University of Minnesota – Morris
The University of Minnesota Morris, one of the only public liberal arts colleges in the state, enrolls about 1,900 students each year on its campus in western Minnesota. The institution only provides undergraduate programs, with approximately 70 majors and minors in subjects as diverse as jazz studies, data science, English and creative writing, African and Black American studies, and sustainability leadership accessible. By taking classes in a variety of academic disciplines, students might also create their own multidisciplinary major.
The academic environment at Morris is vibrant, and there are several chances for research and other kinds of creative endeavors. Under the strict supervision of a faculty member, students can pursue original research in a subject area that has been approved. Every year, Morris holds an undergraduate research symposium where students can exhibit their scholarly discoveries, original works of art, and artistic performances. Students can also take part in a range of study abroad programs as well as professional internships and fieldwork opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a smart idea to reside in Minnesota?
Is Relocating to Minnesota a Smart Move? Moving to Minnesota is a wise decision because it's a lovely and pleasant area to live. The cost of living is reasonable, there are several things to do, there are countless career opportunities, unemployment rates are low, there are not many natural disasters, and there is a lot of natural beauty.
What does Minnesota excel at?
The state is referred to as the Land of 10,000 Lakes since it has the most lakes of any state in the union. Minnesota is renowned for its outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing, and winter sports, as well as for being the location of Mall of America, the largest shopping center in the United States.
Which US college has the highest endowment?
According to information gathered by U.S. News in an annual survey, Harvard university will have the largest endowment among National Universities at the end of fiscal year 2021, topping the list with about $53 billion.
Which nation has the toughest education system?
Which nation has the most challenging educational system? The education systems of South Korea, Japan, and Singapore are a few of the ones that are the most challenging.
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