Online Colleges in Minnesota

Among the most prestigious research colleges in the nation, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities serves about 47,000 students. The flagship U of M campus, U of M-Twin Cities, offers a portfolio of online programs delivered fully online or in a hybrid format. Learners choose from bachelor’s degrees in majors such as psychology, manufacturing management, entrepreneurship, and finance.

Notable programs at U of M-Twin Cities, one of the best online colleges in Minnesota, include the BA in tribal administration and governance, a degree that prepares learners to work with tribes and various agencies that represent them. The degree offers two tracks -- business administration and American Indian studies -- and covers topics such as tribal governance, tribal sovereignty, and federal Indian law and policy.

Learners seeking a flexible program that lets them design their own curriculum enroll in the BS in applied studies. The program allows learners to transfer a certificate, diploma, or associate degree in an occupational field to a custom degree plan. The school also oversees a suite of graduate degrees in majors such as healthcare, business administration, and computer science.

Students new to online learning can acquaint themselves with the mode of delivery through free tutorials from the school. U of M-Twin Cities provides free online tutoring through Tutor.com, an online platform for students attending school in the state system. Learners use the GPS LifePlan to foster success in education, career, leadership, finance, and personal issues.

Learners who complete the Minnesota transfer curriculum, a partnership between two-year and four-year colleges in the state, receive credit for the program at participating institutions. In most cases, learners earning a degree exclusively online at U of M pay in-state tuition, regardless of residency.

Founded in 1893 to provide men with a Christian education, Concordia University - St. Paul now enrolls men and women in more than 80 programs. The comprehensive liberal arts college offers programs that address the needs of employers and prepare learners for lives of service. The school complements traditional degrees with affordable online learning for nontraditional learners.

CSP offers associate degrees in general studies and early childhood education.
Learners pursuing a bachelor’s degree choose from a more extensive catalog of offerings with majors such as business, criminal justice, healthcare administration, and IT management. CSP offers a BS in pulmonary science, one of the few Minnesota online programs for registered respiratory therapists, who can earn the 44-credit degree while employed. The school offers a portfolio of master’s degrees, including a series focused on teacher preparation.

Through CSP’s cohort learning option, learners take online classes with peers once a week, with the option to take some classes at Concordia or one of several community college campuses in the state. Students benefit from free tutoring and writing support. Through the Concordia Transfer Plan, CSP maintains agreements with partner institutions to facilitate credit transfers to an undergraduate degree. Furthermore, the school offers a $2,000 scholarship to encourage learners to transfer their associate degrees. Learners may use Transferology, a web-based course transfer system, to determine if their credits will transfer to CSP.

Learners pay affordable tuition that stays the same for the duration of enrollment. Students learning exclusively online pay in-state tuition, regardless of residency. The school emphasizes the outcomes for CSP graduates, with 95% beginning careers or entering graduate school within a year after graduation, and 44% earning more than the national average.

Founded as a teacher training college, Minnesota State University-Mankato educates about 15,000 students on a scenic campus that overlooks the Minnesota River Valley. The school oversees an extensive catalog of 130 undergraduate programs, including 13 for pre-professional studies. One of the top 57 undergraduate research colleges in the nation, the school offers applied research in areas such as aging, renewable energy, and organizational effectiveness.

The college offers 40 online programs that learners complete fully online or in a hybrid format. Learners can complete a degree they began elsewhere in majors such as international business, dental hygiene, and technical communication. The bachelor’s in applied organizational studies allows learners to build a program by applying existing credits, such as an associate of arts, to complete the degree. With this option, students work with an adviser to design a study plan that includes technical coursework, courses that emphasize critical skills, and an applied organizational studies portfolio.

The school offers RNs with an associate degree the opportunity to complete a BSN completely online. Admission to the 30-credit program requires a minimum 2.8 GPA and an unrestricted RN license in the state where the RN completes a public health clinical. Minnesota State University-Mankato offers teacher preparation programs leading to master’s degrees in majors such as reading, elementary education, and special education.

Students can receive free online tutoring from the writing center. Transfer students receive an evaluation of their transcripts and can earn credits for CLEP, AP, and military experience. With in-state tuition for learners studying exclusively online, the school is one of the cheapest online colleges in Minnesota for out-of-state students.

Located 30 minutes from Minneapolis, Crown College is a leader in online education, overseeing several nationally recognized programs. The private Christian college enrolls 1,300 students in classrooms with a 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. The school's 40 degrees include several that learners can pursue online in a virtual community that emphasizes the integration of faith and learning.

Learners pursuing associate degrees choose from online majors in business, Christian ministry, general studies, and global and cultural studies. Crown College, one of the best online colleges in Minnesota, offers a portfolio of bachelor's degrees in majors such as business, biblical studies, criminal justice, and psychology and counseling.

The school offers a Christ-focused BS in disaster and emergency management for students planning to work with Christian emergency response organizations. In addition to management principles, best practices in disaster management, and public policy, the program addresses the faith dimensions of disaster relief. The BS in global and cultural studies trains students to promote Christ worldwide. The school also offers graduate degrees in areas such as Christian studies and global leadership.

Crown College, which is among the accredited online colleges in Minnesota, provides learners with counseling support to address nonacademic issues. The school maintains transfer agreements with several Christian schools across the country. Designated as a military-friendly school, the school allows military personnel to earn credit for military experience and prior learning assessments such as AP, CLEP, and DSST. Crown College notes that tuition costs 20%-40% less than private Christian colleges in the area. Online learners pay in-state tuition regardless of residency.

Since 1912, the College of Saint Scholastica has offered academic programs informed by the school's Catholic Benedictine values. A private college, CSS enrolls about 4,000 students at campuses across Minnesota and online.

The online campus offers bachelor's degrees in fields such as nursing, marketing, psychology, and accounting. Learners prepare for a variety of IT careers with the BA or BS in computer information systems, which offers a custom concentration option or one in business analysis, software development, or health informatics. With enough transfer credits, learners can complete this degree in 2-3 years.

Learners unable to find a major that addresses their academic and career goals can design their own; the BA or BS with a self-designed major may include courses not available at CSS and can incorporate cross-disciplinary studies. The school also offers master's degrees in education, project management, health informatics, and health information management.

CSS offers two learning formats for distance learners. CSS's asynchronous online courses allow learners to study independently through a format that includes multimedia presentations, learning tools, and discussion boards. CCS's other format, the virtual classroom, provides synchronous learning in which learners from multiple locations use video and audio conferencing to study with peers and faculty.

CSS maintains a reputation as one of the most affordable accredited online colleges in Minnesota. Students can save on tuition with unlimited credit transfers. Learners can use Transferology to receive an unofficial review of which credits will transfer to CSS. Students interested in CSS can explore the school with free massive open online courses (MOOCs) in several subjects. CSS notes that 99% of the school's graduates find employment or enroll in graduate or professional schools within six months of graduation.

The University of Northwestern-St. Paul offers a liberal arts education informed by Christian values. Located on a 107-acre campus on Lake Johanna, the school enrolls about 3,500 students in classrooms with a 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. UNW's catalog includes 75 undergraduate areas of study.

Accommodating the needs of nontraditional students, all of the school’s adult education programs incorporate some form of online learning. Learners can pursue undergraduate degrees in general studies, business management, and health psychology. The BS in business management is the first program in the state to offer free textbooks for the major's 15 online courses.

UNW offers three online programs focused on religious studies. The fully online BA in biblical and theological studies prepares learners for teaching, research, pastoral leadership, and Bible para-church ministry. Students can study abroad in Israel and complete the degree in less than four years. Learners can begin their education with the AA in the Bible, which provides a foundation in liberal arts and biblical studies with the option to specialize in a topic.

UNW offers all master's degrees online in majors such as divinity, human services, and organizational leadership. High school students can enroll in the school's flexible PSEO learning program, which offers more than 60 free online courses that earn full college credit at UNW. All learners receive comprehensive support services, such as tutoring and coaching. To prepare for graduation, learners can access free online resources, such as career development videos.

Learners from Minnesota's online community colleges and other institutions join a student body of 20% transfer students. All online students pay in-state tuition at UNW, one of the best online colleges in Minnesota.

One of five campuses in the University of Minnesota system, UMC enrolls approximately 1,800 students, evenly divided between on-campus and online learners. UMC oversees a portfolio of asynchronous fully online and hybrid programs. The school offers hybrid programs leading to bachelor's degrees in fields such as social work and medical laboratory sciences. The hybrid BAS in manufacturing operations management requires 30 credits for admission and prepares learners for careers in food, aerospace, medical device, or health product manufacturing.

The school's fully online baccalaureate programs include majors in psychology, agricultural business, finance, and sport and recreation management. The bachelor of science in applied studies provides a flexible curriculum in which learners use credits from a diploma or an associate degree in an occupational field to accelerate degree completion.

UMC's partnership with the U.S. Air Force ROTC is a unique aspect of this program, allowing students to meet requirements for commission as an Air Force officer. UMC also offers fully online master's degrees in majors such as applied child and adolescent development, computer science, and healthcare administration.

Through the library, learners access online tutorials and recorded workshops. Additional benefits of learning at UMC include laptop computers for all learners, personalized learning and mentorship, and an emphasis on hands-on learning.

The school makes it easy to transfer from Minnesota colleges and other institutions. Learners can use Transferology to see which courses will transfer to UMC. UMC partners with Coursera to offer MOOCs in five specializations. One of the best online colleges in Minnesota, UMC generally charges in-state tuition for students studying exclusively online, regardless of residency.

A leader in Christian higher education, Bethel University enrolls about 5,600 students, integrating evangelical faith with educational programming. The St. Paul-based college offers more than 100 degrees through four schools. To meet the needs of nontraditional learners, Bethel offers fully online and hybrid formats.

Learners may opt for Bethel's 60-credit associate of arts degree to satisfy the general education requirements of a bachelor's program. The associate of science degree allows learners to create an individualized major or major in business or leadership.

Bethel notes that 70% of learners in the school's adult undergraduate programs work full time, completing bachelor's degrees in fields such as business management, finance, nursing, and special education. The school's BA in organizational leadership requires 60 credits for admission and allows learners to specialize in human services or Christian ministries. Bethel's graduate programs include an extensive portfolio of teacher preparation programs delivered online.

Learners receive academic support through tutoring and student success advisers. The school offers free resume preparation, networking strategies, and job search support. Local online learners may participate in campus events, cultivating leadership skills through the school's Fall Leadership Summit or Foundational Leadership Program. They may also engage in service through Bethel's spring break mission trips and during local community service projects.

Learners can receive transfer credits for career or military experience, CLEP, DANTES, and prior college credit earned at Minnesota online community colleges or other institutions. Online learners pay in-state tuition regardless of residency status.

Established as a teachers college, Minnesota State University Moorhead provides a quality education at an affordable price. The mid-sized college enrolls about 5,800 students in 247 academic programs with a 19-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. The school's top five majors include elementary inclusive education, business administration, and social work. Students can earn a bachelor's degree online in majors such as nursing, project management, and health services administration.

MSUM's robust business program includes a BS in business administration with concentrations in management, marketing, and international business. MSUM offers the only BS in supply chain management in the state, providing a multidisciplinary curriculum that includes project-based learning and case study analysis. The school offers a suite of teacher preparation degrees leading to master's degrees in various specializations, such as special education and curriculum and instruction.

Through Tutor.com, MSUM allows learners to schedule personal online sessions; submit papers for review; and use study guides on subjects such as math, business, and science. In addition to tutoring, learners receive help with study and time management skills from academic counselors. MSUM offers an affordable education with 87% of students receiving some form of financial aid. Furthermore, learners can take up to 19 credits each term and pay for only 12 credits.

Minnesota State University Moorhead, one of the best online colleges in Minnesota, is a transfer-friendly college; more than one-third of the school's undergraduates are transfer students. The school allows learners to accelerate degree completion by transferring an associate degree to a baccalaureate program. Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 GPA on transferable credits. Through Transferology, learners can receive an unofficial audit of which credits will transfer to MSUM.

Founded as a teacher training college, Bemidji State University enrolls more than 5,000 students in 80 undergraduate majors and several graduate programs. Since 1973, BSU has served distance learners in the state. BSU, one of the top accredited online colleges in Minnesota, offers online bachelor's degrees in accounting, business administration, and marketing communication.

Learners with a two-year technical degree can complete a BAS in applied engineering or applied management. BSU is the only state college in Minnesota to offer an online degree completion BS or BA in psychology.

Three hybrid degrees in nursing, social work, and elementary education allow learners to complete the degrees online with minimal visits to BSU or a partner campus. Master's degrees at BSU include teacher preparation in special education or online instruction.

All online students receive up to 15 hours of free online tutoring on Tutor.com in subjects such as math, accounting, biology, and languages. Consultants at the online writing resource center provide synchronous assistance to help learners complete writing assignments and other projects.

Transfer learners must have a minimum of 24 transferable credits and a 2.0 GPA for admission, and BAS programs require the transfer of technical credits. Online BSU students pay in-state tuition, regardless of residency. Bemidji State University oversees many scholarship programs to help distance learners pay for tuition.

A comprehensive college located in St. Paul, Metropolitan State University enrolls many nontraditional learners. Of the school's 11,000 students, 95% are transfers or learners with prior degrees. The school accommodates the needs of transfer students with online, hybrid, and individualized degrees.

The school's top program, the BA in individualized studies, lets learners design a degree plan that meets their educational and career goals. Students complete the degree requirements through classroom instruction, student-directed learning, seminars, and internships.

The school's BS in law enforcement has a history of agency placements, including 40 police chiefs who graduated from the program. The degree offers three tracks, including one that prepares students for police licensure in Minnesota and another that enrolls police officers licensed in Minnesota seeking to elevate their credentials with a bachelor's degree. Students can also pursue online bachelor's degrees in subjects such as business administration, human resource management, and organizational administration.

Metro State, one of the best online colleges in Minnesota, provides learners with online tutoring through Tutor.com or on campus through the Center for Academic Excellence. Students with more than 16 college credits and a minimum 2.0 GPA can transfer credits to accelerate degree completion. They can also earn credit for military experience and prior learning assessments, such as AP, CLEP, and DSST. Learners can use Transferology to receive an unofficial assessment of how their credits will transfer to Metro State. In addition to affordable tuition, the school offers online students in-state tuition regardless of residency.

Saint Cloud State University sits on a 100-acre campus along the west bank of the Mississippi River. One of the largest public colleges in the state, the school enrolls 14,000 students in 200 undergraduate majors and 60 graduate programs. Learners seeking education flexibility can enroll in one of the school's more than 200 online courses and several online degrees.

Learners enrolled in the school's online associate of arts complete classes on topics including English, creative writing, history, and computer-based design. The associate of science allows learners to design an individualized major to prepare for careers as technicians in a science field or to transfer to a science-related bachelor's program. Students seeking a customizable bachelor's degree can enroll in the bachelor of elective studies.

Registered nurses can complete a BSN online while working. Nurses use the school's Human Patient Simulation Lab to learn procedures and equipment, and they apply learning during a senior capstone completed at one of the school's partnering institutions. For graduate students, St. Cloud offers many degrees in subjects such as applied behavior analysis, information media, and business administration.

St. Cloud boasts a generous transfer policy to help learners save on tuition, making it one of the cheaper online colleges in Minnesota. The school also awards nonresident tuition scholarships to learners who do not qualify for in-state tuition. To qualify, learners must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least 24 transferable credits.

For more than 70 years, Oak Hills Christian College has provided learners with a Bible-based education. The school offers several online degrees. Students earn the associate in biblical studies and ministry by taking short intensive online courses. The degree offers curriculum flexibility with an individualized graduation plan to address learners' goals and study pace.

Students in the online bachelor's in business administration prepare to work in areas such as accounting, marketing, and retail management. Students pursuing ministerial careers enroll in the bachelor's in leadership and ministry, a program suited to learners with prior college credit who want to develop an individualized study plan.

OHCC ministry students, including online learners, can pursue interests outside of the classroom by serving in local ministries and organizations. Learners also participate in outreach programs, such as serving meals at soup kitchens and partnering with local churches.

OHCC participates in the state-funded Post-Secondary Enrollment Options, a program that allows learners to simultaneously finish high school and start college. The school charges online learners a flat tuition regardless of residency. Students benefit from several scholarships and grants administered by OHCC. The school accepts transfer students from Minnesota’s online community colleges and other institutions if they have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.