Best Colleges in Minnesota

Minnesota ranks among the most educated states in the country, in both average level of educational attainment and the quality of education available. As a major center of education in the Midwest, the state is home to schools of all types and sizes – from small, elite liberal arts colleges like Carleton and Macalester to massive state schools like the University of Minnesota. To help you select the right Minnesota school for you, we compiled the following ranking, which offers an overview of the top colleges in the state.

Below, you’ll find information on 25 of the best colleges in Minnesota, including information related to each school’s reputation, selectivity, notable academic offerings or campus features, and online enrollment options. This list attempts to pinpoint unique features of each school, but it should serve as the beginning — not the end — of your research.

In terms of livability for college graduates, Minnesota ranks about average, with an unemployment rate near the national average (3.3% as of November 2019) and a cost of living slightly below the national average. The state hosts a diverse economy that includes one of the country’s top bioscience sectors, along with other major industries including data centers and operations, manufacturing, clean and renewable energy (particularly wind power), banking and finance, and agriculture and livestock products.