Easy Admission Colleges in Minnesota
| # | School | Acceptance Rate | Enrollment | Net Price | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis, Minnesota
|
98.0% | 1,417 | $27,023 | 62.7% |
| 2 |
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Winona, Minnesota
|
96.8% | 1,061 | $21,034 | 67.7% |
| 3 |
The College of Saint Scholastica
Duluth, Minnesota
|
96.6% | 1,725 | $23,949 | 63.0% |
| 4 |
Bethany Global University
Bloomington, Minnesota
|
96.2% | 162 | $20,833 | 61.2% |
| 5 |
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota
|
95.3% | 5,181 | $14,485 | 46.9% |
| 6 |
Herzing University-Minneapolis
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
|
94.3% | 747 | $15,205 | 73.5% |
| 7 |
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, Minnesota
|
92.5% | 2,393 | $21,563 | 65.1% |
| 8 |
University of Northwestern-St Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota
|
92.5% | 1,495 | $25,140 | 68.4% |
| 9 |
Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, Minnesota
|
91.6% | 2,045 | $14,760 | 44.1% |
| 10 |
North Central University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
|
90.8% | 802 | $23,574 | 63.6% |
| 11 |
College of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, Minnesota
|
87.8% | 1,392 | $28,065 | 83.0% |
| 12 |
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, Minnesota
|
86.2% | 1,468 | $27,018 | 75.7% |
| 13 |
Martin Luther College
New Ulm, Minnesota
|
83.7% | 718 | $20,483 | 71.4% |
| 14 |
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota
|
81.7% | 4,998 | $19,181 | 38.4% |
| 15 |
University of Minnesota-Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
|
80.7% | 7,475 | $18,464 | 64.5% |
| 16 |
Hamline University
Saint Paul, Minnesota
|
80.6% | 1,685 | $21,385 | 57.7% |
| 17 |
University of Minnesota-Morris
Morris, Minnesota
|
77.7% | 980 | $9,110 | 61.9% |
| 18 |
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota
|
77.5% | 3,120 | $17,050 | 53.4% |
| 19 |
University of St Thomas
Saint Paul, Minnesota
|
77.0% | 6,014 | $30,525 | 75.2% |
| 20 |
Augsburg University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
|
76.5% | 2,429 | $23,875 | 52.4% |
| 21 |
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, Minnesota
|
74.9% | 30,469 | $17,139 | 84.8% |
| 22 |
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota
|
73.9% | 1,930 | $26,895 | 75.9% |
| 23 |
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota
|
73.8% | 5,088 | $18,148 | 60.9% |
| 24 |
Bethel University
Saint Paul, Minnesota
|
72.5% | 2,012 | $28,439 | 75.2% |
| 25 |
University of Minnesota-Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota
|
71.7% | 568 | $12,785 | 56.9% |
| 26 |
Minnesota State University-Mankato
Mankato, Minnesota
|
70.7% | 11,325 | $18,609 | 54.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes University of Minnesota-Morris such a good value among accessible Minnesota colleges?
Morris offers the lowest net price at $9,110 among these 26 schools while maintaining solid outcomes with a 61.90% graduation rate and graduates earning $50,919. The 980-student campus accepts 77.66% of applicants, making it both accessible and affordable for Minnesota residents seeking University of Minnesota credentials.
How do graduation rates compare across Minnesota's high-acceptance colleges?
Graduation rates span from 38.40% at Metropolitan State University to 84.80% at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Private colleges like Saint Johns University (75.70%) and Bethel University (75.20%) generally outperform public institutions, though UMN-Twin Cities proves large public universities can achieve excellent retention.
Is there a connection between acceptance rates and post-graduation earnings in Minnesota?
Saint Johns University graduates earn the highest at $76,786 despite an 86.24% acceptance rate, while Herzing University graduates earn $36,909 with 94.29% acceptance. University of St Thomas balances both well with 77.00% acceptance and $73,739 graduate earnings, showing accessibility doesn't limit earning potential.
Does Minnesota's job market support graduates from these accessible colleges?
Minnesota's economy, anchored by healthcare giants like Mayo Clinic and UnitedHealth, plus retail leader Target, creates strong demand for graduates. The $36,909 to $76,786 earning range aligns well with entry to mid-level positions at these major employers and the state's growing tech sector.
What role does the Minnesota State Grant play for students at these colleges?
The State Grant specifically targets low-income students, making these already accessible colleges even more affordable. With net prices ranging from $9,110 to $30,525, the grant can significantly reduce costs at public institutions like the University of Minnesota system and Minnesota state universities.
How do technical colleges like Dunwoody compare to traditional four-year institutions?
Dunwoody College of Technology accepts 98.04% of applicants and graduates 62.70% of students who earn $61,511 annually. While acceptance is nearly universal, the specialized technical training leads to solid middle-class earnings in Minnesota's manufacturing and technology sectors, competing well with some four-year programs.
See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.