2024 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota

Metropolitan State University is a public institution that has been recognized as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution. Metro State's acceptance rate is 62%, and its graduation rate is 57%. The school offers 13 online bachelor's degrees as well as online master's degrees and certificates. Enrollees can opt to study nursing, finance, supply chain and operations management, law enforcement, dental hygiene, and several other subjects. These bachelor's degrees typically require the completion of 120 credit hours, and some require capstone courses, all taken through the Brightspace learning system.

Online students may be eligible for various forms of financial aid from the federal and state governments.

At the University of Minnesota (U of M), a public institution, prospective students can pursue online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. In fact, U of M offers more than 100 online degrees and certificate programs across various fields of study. Online bachelor’s degree programs at U of M include accounting, international business, and health management. A minimum of 120 credit hours are required for bachelor’s degrees, which can take full-time students four years to finish. U of M is an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The university’s acceptance rate is 73%, with an 81% graduation rate.

U of M’s online students complete courses available in asynchronous and synchronous formats on Canvas. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. U of M may offer online students financial aid, like the Native American Promise Tuition Program, scholarships, loans, and grants. Online student resources include tutoring, career services, disability resources, veterans services, financial aid assistance, online libraries, and tech support.

The University of Northwestern - St. Paul (UNW) is a private, nonprofit, Christian institution that offers online associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. Popular online bachelor’s degrees at UNW include business administration, bible studies, and psychology. These online programs can range from 36-125 credit hours, so prospective students can spend 22 months to four years completing their studies. This university discriminates against students and employees who identify as LGBT. UNW accepts 82% of applicants, with 63% graduating.

UNW’s online students complete courses asynchronously and synchronously through the digital platform Moodle. UNW’s student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1. Online students may be eligible for financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships, discounts, grants, and loans. Online students at UNW can access resources like advising, career development, an online library, a writing center, disability services, and an IT help desk. UNW offers faith-infused curricula and practical skill development in its online degree programs.

Concordia University - Saint Paul is a private, nonprofit institution affiliated with the Lutheran church, and it is also designated as an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-serving institution. Concordia offers a wide selection of online degrees. Students seeking bachelor's degrees can choose to study subjects such as management and leadership, criminal justice, child development, and many others. Most of these degrees require the completion of 120 credit hours, and full-time students often earn their degrees in four to five years. Concordia has a 69% acceptance rate and a 62% graduation rate.

Concordia students access their online courses through the Blackboard learning platform. Online students are eligible for financial aid, including one of Concordia's many school-sponsored scholarships.

Minnesota State University at Mankato is a public university with online bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Examples of online bachelor’s degrees at this university include applied leadership, business administration, and communications and media. Online bachelor’s degrees are 120 credit hours are required, which can take full-time students four years to finish. The university’s acceptance rate is 69%, with a 55% graduation rate.

Minnesota State Mankato facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system D2L Brightspace. The university’s student-to-faculty ratio is 21:1. Potential financial aid opportunities at Minnesota State Mankato are grants, scholarships, and loans. Online student support includes financial aid assistance, advising, academic coaching, and a resource library. Minnesota State Mankato provides students with flexible learning, high quality teaching faculty, and Minnesota resident tuition rather than out-of-state tuition.

Winona State University (WSU) is a public institution offering online degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Some of the online bachelor’s degrees at WSU include business administration, early childhood education, and health and wellness management. At a minimum, prospective students can expect to spend four years completing a 120-credit bachelor’s degree. The acceptance rate at WSU is 77%, with a graduation rate of 66%.

At Winona, online students complete courses in asynchronous and synchronous formats on the learning management system, D2L Brightspace. WSU’s student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. WSU may offer or accept financial aid for online students, such as grants, scholarships, and loans. Online student resources at WSU include tutoring, advising, a writing center, accessibility services, and an online library.

At Saint Cloud State University (SCSU), a public university, prospective students can pursue online degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Online bachelor’s degrees at SCSU include professional communications, general business, and nursing RN. Online bachelor’s degrees at SCSU are, at a minimum, 120 credit hours, so full-time students can take four years to complete their degrees. The university accepts 94% of applicants, with 51% graduating.

SCSU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system D2L Brightspace. SCSU’s student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. Online students may be eligible for financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, loans, payment plans, and senior citizen discounts. Online student support at SCSU includes advising, IT support, and an online library. SCSU is a member of the Online Learning Consortium, which aims to enhance the online teaching and learning experience.

Bethel University - MN is a private, nonprofit, Baptist institution that offers online associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. Some of the online master’s degrees at Bethel include education, ministry, and theological studies. Online master’s degree programs range between 33-51 credit hours and can take 18 months to three years to complete. Bethel’s acceptance rate is 89%, with a 71% graduation rate.

At Bethel, online students complete courses available in asynchronous and synchronous formats on the learning management system Moodle. The student-to-faculty ratio at Bethel is 11:1. Potential financial aid opportunities at Bethel include loans, grants, scholarships, and military benefits. Bethel’s online student resources include advising, tutoring, disability resources and services, and career development. Bethel offers online degree programs with faith-based curriculums. Bethel identifies as a Baptist university, and it provides a safe space for students who identify as LGBT.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a private, nonprofit, Roman Catholic university offering online bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Popular online bachelor’s degrees include business administration, human resources management, and information technology. Online bachelor’s degrees at Saint Mary’s are 120 credit hours, which can take full-time students four years to finish. Saint Mary’s acceptance rate is 98%, with a graduation rate of 69%.

Saint Mary’s facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the software Canvas. The student-to-faculty ratio at Saint Mary’s is 18:1. Online students may be eligible for financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, and loans. Online student resources at Saint Mary’s are advising, financial aid assistance, and tech support. Saint Mary’s Schools of Professional Programs give working adults the flexibility to complete advanced degrees.

At Hamline University — a private, nonprofit university — prospective students can pursue online degrees at the bachelor’s level. Some of the online bachelor’s degree programs at Hamline include business administration, education, and psychology. At a minimum, online students must take at least 56 credit hours at Hamline, so future students can expect to spend two or more years finishing their studies. Online students at Hamline take short, eight-week online courses and can take 1-2 classes per semester. Hamline accepts 76% of applicants, with 68% graduating.

Hamline’s online students complete coursework in asynchronous formats on the learning management system Canvas. Hamline’s student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. Hamline may offer financial aid for online students, such as grants, scholarships, loans, and summer financial aid. Online students at Hamline can access resources like advising, tutoring, a bookstore, a career development center, counseling, a writing and communication center, disability services, financial aid assistance, and veterans affairs. The university is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

Capella University, a private, for-profit institution, offers online degrees at all levels. Among these offerings are seven bachelor's programs — all with optional concentrations — in fields such as business, information technology, nursing, and psychology. Bachelor's degrees typically require 180 quarter credits, and some may include a capstone course. Students can choose between two competency-based online formats: the FlexPath format, which allows students to work entirely at their own pace, or the GuidedPath format, for students who prefer more structure and weekly check-ins.

Adults returning to college after some time in the workforce or in military service may receive credit for prior experience. Online students may also be eligible for financial aid, and some may qualify for military or employer benefits.

Bemidji State University (BSU) is a public institution with online degrees at the bachelor's level. Popular online bachelor’s degrees at BSU are criminal justice, psychology, and marketing communication. Online bachelor’s degrees at BSU can be 48-120 credit hours, taking full-time students 2-4 years to complete. BSU’s acceptance rate is 75%, with a graduation rate of 52%.

At BSU, online students complete courses available in asynchronous and synchronous formats on D2L Brightspace. The student-to-faculty ratio at BSU is 16:1. Potential financial aid opportunities at BSU are grants, loans, and scholarships. Online student support services at BSU include accessibility services, career services, a writing resource center, tutoring, counseling, an online library, and a veterans’ assistance center. BSU offers online and hybrid degree completion programs for students who have completed two semesters of college.

Crown College — a private, nonprofit institution affiliated with the Christ and Missionary Alliance Church — has a 47% acceptance rate and a 55% graduation rate. Crown offers 24 online degree programs, including bachelor's degrees in several subjects such as psychology/counseling, human services, criminal justice, and business. The school's eight-week courses with six start dates throughout the year, delivered through the Canvas system, allow students to work at their own pace. Highly motivated students may be able to complete their bachelor's degree in less than four years.

Online students may be qualified for federal and state financial aid. Those with demonstrated financial need may also qualify for one of Crown's eight scholarship programs.

Minnesota State University - Moorhead (MSUM) is a public university offering online degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. MSUM offers online undergraduate and graduate degree programs across many study areas. For example, online bachelor’s degrees at MSUM include options like business administration, construction management, and nursing. Online bachelor’s degrees are 120 credit hours, which can take four years to complete for full-time students. MSUM’s acceptance rate is 72%, with a graduation rate of 55%.

MSUM facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system D2L Brightspace. MSUM’s student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. Online student financial aid at MSUM includes grants, scholarships, and loans. Online students at MSUM can access career development, veteran’s resource center, tutoring, advising, counseling, and accessibility resources.

St. Catherine University — known as St. Kate — is a private, nonprofit school affiliated with the Roman Catholic church. It has been designated as an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-serving institution. The school offers a range of online degrees and certificates, including bachelor's degrees in accounting, business management, nursing, and early childhood education, among other subjects. The number of credit hours and time to complete these degrees varies.

St. Kate delivers its online courses through the Canvas platform. Students who are returning to college after some time in the workforce or in military service may receive credit for prior and alternative learning. Online students have access to an online help desk, career development assistance, and library resources.

At Rasmussen University Online — a private, for-profit university — future students can pursue online associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. Some of the online associate degrees at Rasmussen include accounting, early childhood education, and marketing. Typically, these online associate degrees are credit hours, which can take as few as 18 months to complete. Rasmussen’s acceptance rate is 100%, with graduation of 41%.

Rasmussen’s online students complete coursework remotely on the learning management system Blackboard. The student-to-faculty ratio at Rasmussen is 18:1. Potential financial aid opportunities include grants, loans, and scholarships. Online student resources at Rasmussen are tutoring, library services, peer mentoring, career services, and financial aid assistance. Rasmussen is one of the pioneers in distance education, delivering online learning for over 20 years.

The College of Saint Scholastica (St. Scholastica) is a private, nonprofit, Roman Catholic institution offering online degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Popular online bachelor’s degrees at St. Scholastica include business administration, computer information systems, and psychology. Online bachelor’s are 128 credit hours, so prospective students can expect to spend four years finishing their degrees. Also, students can enroll in accelerated online degree programs that let them finish their degrees on their own schedule. St. Scholastica accepts 74% of applicants, with 73% graduating.

At St. Scholastica, online students complete courses asynchronously and synchronously on the learning management system D2L Brightspace. The student-to-faculty ratio at St. Scholastica is 10:1. Online students may be eligible for financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships, grants, loans, and discounts. Online student support services at St. Scholastica include advising, financial aid assistance, counseling, a veterans resource center, a bookstore, and career services.

Martin Luther College (MLC) is a private, nonprofit, Christian college that offers online master’s degrees. MLC offers online master’s degrees in educational administration, theological studies, and education. These online master’s programs can be 36 credit hours, taking two years to complete. The acceptance rate at MLC is 91%, with a 67% graduation rate.

MLC facilitates asynchronous online learning on the learning management system Moodle. MLC’s student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1. MLC may offer financial aid such as scholarships, grants, loans, and military benefits. Online student resources at MLC include a bookstore, financial services, and IT support. For students looking to advance their careers in education, MLC offers several online master’s degree programs in various education specializations. Also, it's important to note that staff and faculty ensure that the campus, both in-person and online, is safe for LGBT students.