Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

James M. Tobin
By
Updated on June 26, 2024
Edited by
Explore the best online colleges in MN with this guide and ranking. It covers accreditation, tips for choosing a school, and answers to FAQ.

In April 2024, the Minnesota government passed a bill investing an extra $4 billion in the state’s higher education network. Lawmakers hailed the bill as a huge step forward for students and employers. The funding includes scholarship programs for students pursuing jobs in high-demand fields across the North Star State.

Given these developments, now is an excellent time to pursue a degree in Minnesota. This guide explains how the state’s college accreditation system works and provides a ranked list of the best accredited online colleges in Minnesota. Use our research to find an affordable and reputable degree program.

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What Colleges Are Accredited in Minnesota

The best online colleges in MN hold institutional accreditation from credible third-party organizations. Accreditation ensures that employers and other accredited schools will recognize the validity of your degree.

An optional type of accreditation applies to some university departments or academic programs. The following sections explore both types of accreditation and how they work.

Institutional Accreditation

Institutional accreditation covers the school as a whole, guaranteeing its academic programs and learning resources meet acceptable standards. The Higher Learning Commission has historically accredited Minnesota schools. However, any institutional accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education (ED) or the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) can issue valid accreditation credentials.

You should consider institutional accreditation mandatory. If in doubt, research the school’s status with this ED database or this CHEA directory.

Subject-Specific Accreditation

Also known as specialized or programmatic accreditation, subject-specific accreditation applies to certain academic departments or degree programs. While optional in most cases, it often signals that the department or program meets especially high-quality standards. Subject-specific accreditation may also indicate that the department or program covers content or skills that match high standards in associated industries.

Examples of programmatic accreditors include organizations like the American Psychological Association, the American Library Association, the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Top Accredited Online Colleges in MN

#1 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

University of Minnesota

  • Location-markerMinneapolis, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$13,318
  • Out-of-state$31,616
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$17,580
  • Out-of-state$27,204
  • Retention Rate93%
  • Acceptance Rate57%
  • Students Enrolled51,327
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment30%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

Winona State University

  • Location-markerWinona, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,598
  • Out-of-state$13,698
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,488
  • Out-of-state$11,286
  • Retention Rate77%
  • Acceptance Rate68%
  • Students Enrolled7,605
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment34%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

Bemidji State University

  • Location-markerBemidji, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,858
  • Out-of-state$7,858
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,779
  • Out-of-state$7,779
  • Retention Rate72%
  • Acceptance Rate65%
  • Students Enrolled4,897
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment45%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

Bethel University

  • Location-markerSaint Paul, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$38,300
  • Out-of-state$38,300
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$11,700
  • Out-of-state$11,700
  • Retention Rate83%
  • Acceptance Rate79%
  • Students Enrolled4,005
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment39%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

University of Minnesota Crookston

  • Location-markerCrookston, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,438
  • Out-of-state$10,438
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate72%
  • Acceptance Rate68%
  • Students Enrolled2,768
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment46%
  • AccreditationYes
#6 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

University of Minnesota Duluth

  • Location-markerDuluth, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$12,194
  • Out-of-state$17,394
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$17,580
  • Out-of-state$27,204
  • Retention Rate80%
  • Acceptance Rate75%
  • Students Enrolled10,858
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment19%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

The College of Saint Scholastica

  • Location-markerDuluth, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$37,622
  • Out-of-state$37,622
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$13,986
  • Out-of-state$13,986
  • Retention Rate81%
  • Acceptance Rate76%
  • Students Enrolled3,906
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment34%
  • AccreditationYes
#8 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

St. Catherine University

  • Location-markerSaint Paul, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$32,522
  • Out-of-state$32,522
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$15,948
  • Out-of-state$15,948
  • Retention Rate80%
  • Acceptance Rate67%
  • Students Enrolled4,401
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment36%
  • AccreditationYes
#9 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University

  • Location-markerSaint Cloud, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,394
  • Out-of-state$15,686
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,460
  • Out-of-state$11,334
  • Retention Rate67%
  • Acceptance Rate90%
  • Students Enrolled13,049
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment31%
  • AccreditationYes
#10 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

Concordia University Saint Paul

  • Location-markerSaint Paul, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$22,800
  • Out-of-state$22,800
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,550
  • Out-of-state$8,550
  • Retention Rate64%
  • Acceptance Rate98%
  • Students Enrolled5,137
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment59%
  • AccreditationYes
#11 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

Hamline University

  • Location-markerSaint Paul, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$41,734
  • Out-of-state$41,734
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,596
  • Out-of-state$9,596
  • Retention Rate78%
  • Acceptance Rate68%
  • Students Enrolled3,404
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment18%
  • AccreditationYes
#12 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

University of Northwestern St. Paul

  • Location-markerSaint Paul, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$31,580
  • Out-of-state$31,580
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,982
  • Out-of-state$8,982
  • Retention Rate82%
  • Acceptance Rate92%
  • Students Enrolled3,525
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment50%
  • AccreditationYes
#13 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

Minnesota State University, Mankato

  • Location-markerMankato, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,394
  • Out-of-state$15,686
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,694
  • Out-of-state$7,694
  • Retention Rate77%
  • Acceptance Rate63%
  • Students Enrolled14,325
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment44%
  • AccreditationYes
#14 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

  • Location-markerWinona, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$36,050
  • Out-of-state$36,050
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,180
  • Out-of-state$9,180
  • Retention Rate84%
  • Acceptance Rate92%
  • Students Enrolled5,548
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment33%
  • AccreditationYes
#15 Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

Minnesota State University Moorhead

  • Location-markerMoorhead, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,632
  • Out-of-state$15,264
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,550
  • Out-of-state$8,550
  • Retention Rate76%
  • Acceptance Rate65%
  • Students Enrolled5,747
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment54%
  • AccreditationYes

How to Know if Your School or Program is Accredited

Most schools and programs offer accreditation information on their websites. Students can also verify accreditation status through CHEA and Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs databases.

The Impact of Accreditation When Transferring Credits

Accreditation ensures the credits you earn will readily transfer to other schools. Transferring credits can dramatically reduce your graduation timeline and help you avoid the need to repeat courses at your new school.

Transfer credits are mainly affected by institutional accreditation. However, you may encounter situations where programmatic accreditation makes credits more readily transferable, especially if your new program holds the same specialized accreditation as your previous one.

Accreditation Criteria for Licensing

Programmatic accreditation is usually optional — usually, but not always. Some regulated professions require a specially accredited degree from a subject-specific agency. For instance, you must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an ABET-accredited program to qualify for an engineering license in Minnesota.

If you plan to work in a field that requires a professional license in Minnesota, check the state’s licensing standards before enrolling in any academic program.

Choosing the Right Online College in Minnesota

Choosing the “best” school may not necessarily be the same as choosing the “right” school. If you focus too much on the institution and not enough on the actual program, you could overlook an ideal study opportunity.

To that end, follow these four steps to help you find degree programs and online colleges in MN that strongly match your learning goals:

1. Check Accreditation Status

The best online colleges in Minnesota hold valid institutional accreditation. As a starting point, double-check to ensure each school’s credentials are up to date.

Programmatic accreditations are a plus but not usually mandatory, except for academic programs leading to certain professional licenses. If you’re studying for a licensure-track career, check Minnesota’s state requirements and ensure the school or program meets them before you apply.

2. Research Degree Options and Compare Them Against Your Career Goals

Colleges increasingly offer specialized degrees. For instance, computer science students can pursue a cybersecurity concentration, and education students can specialize in areas like early childhood education or curriculum and instruction. If you have specific career goals, see if the school offers specialized or concentrated programs that match it.

3. Look Into Student Satisfaction Metrics

Certain publicly available metrics and data points can indicate higher or lower levels of student satisfaction with a school or program. Check retention, graduation, and post-graduation employment rates to compare institutions.

4. Compare Costs and Financial Aid

Money matters to many students, especially as education costs keep rising. Budget-conscious students often compare tuition fees, but there’s often more to the story than a school’s “sticker price.”Research the financial aid options that each prospective school offers to students. These can significantly reduce what is known as the “net price of attendance.”

Online College Resources for Minnesota Students

NCES College Navigator

This National Center for Education Statistics resource lets you research schools by state and according to factors like institution type, major availability, and degree level. You can then connect with school-specific metrics and data points covering virtually every important consideration.

Minnesota MyHigherEd

This state government resource can connect you with valuable scholarship programs and funding opportunities. Use the search tool to research and apply for public and private scholarships, government education funding programs, loan forgiveness opportunities, and more.

Tuition and Fees Chart

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education operates this research resource, which lists current tuition rates for accredited postsecondary institutions in the state. Compare in-state and out-of-state fees, reciprocity rates, and the costs of attending private Minnesota colleges.

Occupations in Demand

Not sure what to study in college? This resource from Minnesota Employment and Economic Development profiles high-demand occupations in the state’s labor market. You can use it to identify trades and career paths with promising growth projections.