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Small Colleges in Minnesota

50 schools in Minnesota. See our methodology.

Carleton College stands apart among Minnesota's 62 small colleges with a 16.6% acceptance rate that rivals elite institutions nationwide, while graduates earn $75,525 annually. This selectivity contrasts sharply with the state's community colleges, where Riverland offers education for just $8,463 net cost and Alexandria Technical achieves a 60.5% graduation rate preparing students for Minnesota's growing healthcare and technology sectors. Northwestern Health Sciences University and Academy College both report perfect 100% graduation rates, reflecting the state's focus on specialized professional training. Minnesota's small college market spans from highly selective liberal arts institutions to accessible technical programs serving Target's retail operations and UnitedHealth's medical technology needs. The University of Minnesota-Rochester, with its 71.7% acceptance rate and $69,020 graduate earnings, bridges this gap by offering research university credentials at a smaller scale. State Grant programs help make these options accessible, with costs ranging from community college affordability to private college premiums. Technical colleges like Dakota County and Hennepin serve the Twin Cities metro area, producing graduates who earn over $49,000 annually in Minnesota's job market. The variation in graduation rates, from 42.2% to 100%, reflects different institutional missions rather than quality, as community colleges often serve students balancing work and family commitments.
50
Schools
$17,118
Avg. Net Price
$52,220
Avg. Earnings
54.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Small Colleges in Minnesota

College listings
# School Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 251 $29,794 100.0%
2 112 $31,307 100.0%
3 2,019 $27,320 91.2% 16.6%
4 1,438 $14,150 60.5%
5 2,131 $29,980 90.4% 28.4%
6 1,522 $12,261 55.6%
7 568 $12,785 56.9% 71.7%
8 1,895 $8,463 53.0%
9 2,083 $11,140 45.3%
10 3,120 $17,816 54.6% 56.6%
11 1,650 $10,874 49.7% 57.2%
12 1,721 $25,651 71.8% 65.5%
13 2,827 $10,925 44.2%
14 1,198 $15,548 51.3%
15 654 $12,941 50.0%
16 1,382 $13,168 48.1%
17 2,875 $11,274 46.4%
18 1,700 $11,898 46.6%
19 2,808 $10,956 42.2%
20 1,486 $12,829 47.7%
21 2,048 $10,955 44.9%
22 3,049 $22,752 83.5% 56.4%
23 1,942 $10,636 41.9%
24 980 $9,110 61.9% 77.7%
25 2,456 $16,050 38.2%
26 2,786 $17,566 58.8% 69.1%
27 3,120 $17,050 53.4% 77.5%
28 718 $20,483 71.4% 83.7%
29 2,012 $28,439 75.2% 72.5%
30 569 $10,281 39.8%
31 4,998 $19,181 38.4% 81.7%
32 1,468 $27,018 75.7% 86.2%
33 789 $27,324 64.3% 66.6%
34 296 63.6%
35 1,890 $10,314 28.6%
36 682 $17,680 59.6% 58.5%
37 3,983 $11,471 24.0%
38 747 $15,205 73.5% 94.3%
39 1,930 $26,895 75.9% 73.9%
40 3,122 $13,148 26.1%
41 1,417 $27,023 62.7% 98.0%
42 3,607 $12,040 32.2%
43 2,203 $10,651 19.1%
44 3,299 $9,804 15.7%
45 1,392 $28,065 83.0% 87.8%
46 457 $10,704 20.8%
47 701 $25,935 69.2% 56.9%
48 2,045 $14,760 44.1% 91.6%
49 1,725 $23,949 63.0% 96.6%
50 4,816 $13,235 16.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Carleton College so selective compared to other Minnesota small colleges?

Carleton College accepts just 16.6% of applicants, making it the most selective small college in Minnesota. This liberal arts institution in Northfield enrolls 2,019 students and produces graduates earning $75,525 annually, the highest among small colleges statewide. Its 91.2% graduation rate reflects strong academic preparation and student support systems.

How do Minnesota's technical colleges prepare students for the job market?

Technical colleges like Alexandria Technical achieve 60.5% graduation rates while maintaining affordable costs around $14,150 annually. Dakota County Technical College graduates earn $51,938 on average, reflecting strong connections to Minnesota's healthcare and technology employers. These schools typically offer hands-on training for immediate workforce entry.

Is the University of Minnesota-Rochester a good value for small college seekers?

The University of Minnesota-Rochester combines university resources with small college intimacy, enrolling just 568 students while maintaining a 71.7% acceptance rate. At $12,785 net cost, graduates earn $69,020 annually, making it one of the best value propositions among Minnesota's research-focused small colleges.

Does Minnesota offer financial aid specifically for small college students?

Minnesota's State Grant program provides need-based aid regardless of college size, helping students afford options from $8,463 at Riverland Community College to $31,307 at Academy College. This program particularly benefits students choosing smaller institutions that may lack large endowments for institutional aid.

Where do graduates of Minnesota's small colleges typically find employment?

Minnesota's economy centers on healthcare through Mayo Clinic and UnitedHealth, retail via Target, and growing technology sectors. Small college graduates earning between $42,162 and $75,525 often join these major employers, with technical college graduates particularly well-positioned for healthcare support and retail management roles.

What explains the wide range in graduation rates among Minnesota's small colleges?

Graduation rates range from 42.2% to 100% based on institutional mission and student demographics. Specialized schools like Northwestern Health Sciences achieve 100% rates with focused programs, while community colleges serve varied populations including part-time students, resulting in different but equally valid success measures.

Related

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.