Minneapolis and St. Paul, known as the Twin Cities, are home to many of Minnesota’s top colleges and universities, including several notable liberal arts colleges. In addition, a mix of large and midsize universities and small colleges can be found in other parts of Minnesota and cities such as Duluth, Mankato and Winona.
All publicly funded four-year, degree-granting institutions in Minnesota operate within the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities systems, the former being one of the largest employers in the state. In addition, residents of Minnesota can attend select public colleges and universities in eight states, including Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and North Dakota, through the Midwest Student Exchange Program and pay no more than 150% of the in-state tuition rate.
The Best Colleges In Minnesota 2021
10. College of St. Benedict
The College of St. Benedict is a private Catholic university in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Admission to the College of St. Benedict is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 84 percent and an early acceptance rate of 90.5 percent. Half of those admitted to College of St. Benedict have an SAT score of 1070 to 1200 or an ACT score of 21 to 28.
9. Gustavus Adolphus College
Gustavus Adolphus College, located in St. Peter, Minnesota, is a private liberal arts college. Gustavus Adolphus College admissions are more selective, with a 71 percent acceptance rate. Half of the applicants admitted to Gustavus College had ACT scores ranging from 24 to 30.
8. St. Olaf College
St. Olaf College is a private liberal arts college located in Northfield, Minnesota. St. Olaf College is more selective and has an acceptance rate of 51%. Half of the applicants accepted to St. Olaf College have SAT scores between 1150 and 1390 and ACT scores between 25 and 32.
7. Macalester College
Macalester College is a private liberal arts college in In Saint Paul, Minnesota. Macalester College applications are highly selective, with a 39% acceptance rate. Half of Macalester College’s admitted students have an SAT score between 1280 and 1450 or an ACT score between 29 and 33.
6. Carleton College
Carleton College, located in Northfield, Minnesota, is a private liberal arts college. Carleton College admissions are highly selective, with a 21 percent acceptance rate. Carleton College admits half of its applicants with SAT scores ranging from 1330 to 1520 or ACT scores ranging from 30 to 34.
5. The College of St. Scholastica
The College of St. Scholastica admits half of its applicants with ACT scores ranging from 22 to 27. St. Scholastica College is a private Benedictine college in Duluth, Minnesota. Admission to the College of St. Scholastica is competitive, with a 73 percent acceptance rate.
4. St. Catherine University
St. Catherine University is a private Catholic liberal arts college In Saint Paul, Minnesota. Admission to St. Catherine University is competitive, with a 77 percent acceptance rate. Half of St. Catherine University’s admitted students have an SAT score between 1080 and 1240 or an ACT score between 19 and 25.
3. Bethel University (MN)
Bethel University is a Minnesota-based private evangelical Christian university. Admission to Bethel University (MN) is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 87 percent. Half of the applicants admitted to Bethel University Minnesota have SAT scores ranging from 1040 to 1338 or an ACT score ranging from 21 to 28.
2. University of St. Thomas
The University of St. Thomas is a private, Catholic university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Admission at the University of St. Thomas (MN) is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 89 percent. Half of those admitted to the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) had an SAT score of 1130 to 1340 or an ACT score of 23 to 29.
1. University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public land-grant research university located in the Minnesota Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Admission to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is more selective, with a 70% acceptance rate. Half of those admitted to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities had an SAT score between 1240 and 1460 or an ACT score between 25 and 31.
