Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 “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:

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.