Online Schools and Colleges in Minnesota

The state of Minnesota is well-known for having an educated population—only one other state has more adults who have earned at least an associate degree in college. But more students in the state are waiting to earn their college education until later in life, in favor of working straight out of high school.

For students who are ready to go back and earn their college degree in Minnesota, online programs offer flexibility to learn while also working and taking care of family commitments. This page provides helpful resources and answers commonly asked questions about online college costs in Minnesota, helps students sort through transfer credit confusion and see how much they could make by earning a college degree.

Minnesota continues to make strides to increase the affordability of higher education. Minnesota is one of only three states in the country to increase funding by more than 5% between 2017 and 2018, and students can also take advantage of financial aid opportunities to help offset education costs.

This guide covers important information for students considering online schools and colleges in Minnesota, including financial aid opportunities, adult education programs, and helpful online resources.

Minneapolis’s 392,880 city residents tend to be well-educated Americans—the U.S. Census reports that 88 percent of the city’s high school students graduate and 45.5 percent of all residents 25 and older have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher. A 2013 study by Central Connecticut State University ranked Minneapolis as one of the nation’s most-literate cities. The community is diverse, rich with cultural and recreational opportunities and, according to the Regional Chamber of Commerce, maintains a commitment to sustainability and economic development.

Students in Minnesota can choose from many online programs, which may feel overwhelming. To ease the process of finding the right school, learners can search for online programs through the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Students can also use the following resource to learn more about online schools and programs in Minnesota.

Nearly half of Minnesota residents between the ages of 25 and 64 possess an associate degree or higher, giving the state the second-highest educational attainment percentage in the country. The following table outlines national average salaries by level of educational attainment, illustrating that higher levels of education typically correlate with higher salaries.

Source:Bureau of Labor Statistics

While efforts to help Minnesota students pay for school continue, state funding has yet to catch up to the pre-recession rates of 2008, per the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The table below outlines tuition rates for private and public institutions in Minnesota and how they compare to the national average.

Source:National Center for Education Statistics

When weighing the costs of their education, students should consider expenses beyond tuition, such as travel, technology, and distance education fees.

Some programs allow all online students to pay the same tuition rate regardless of residency, while others offer tuition discounts for in-state students. Qualifications for in-state tuition vary by institution, but they may include residing in Minnesota for a particular length of time or working for a state organization. Students should research the in-state tuition requirements at each prospective school.

Who Can Apply: Minnesota residents from low- and moderate-income families who attend eligible state schools qualify for this grant.

Amount: Varies

Who Can Apply: Minnesota residents attending a state college or university who demonstrate financial need qualify for this opportunity.

Amount: Up to $1,100/year

Who Can Apply: Dependents and spouses of public safety officers who were killed in the line of duty qualify for this grant.

Amount: Up to $14,760/year

Who Can Apply: This grant awards students pursuing a teaching career. Applicants must intend to teach in a geographical shortage area or belong to an underrepresented group in Minnesota.

Amount: Up to $7,500/term

Who Can Apply: Candidates planning to attend a Minnesota institution who lost a parent to a military service-caused condition qualify for this grant.

Amount: Up to $750

Accreditation indicates that a school meets high academic standards and benefits students in several ways. For instance, only students at accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid, and many schools only recognize and accept degrees and transfer credits from accredited schools. Additionally, many employers prefer to hire candidates with an accredited degree.

Minnesota offers many programs and initiatives to support nontraditional students. Students can learn about several of Minnesota’s adult education programs and resources below.

The following list outlines several helpful resources for current and prospective Minnesota students, including information on financial aid opportunities, program availability, and state higher education policies.