The culture and economy of the State of Minnesota benefit from its educated and charitable residents. The state ranks 2nd in terms of the number of people with undergraduate or graduate degrees, according to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
Minnesota is home to more than 10,000 lakes and over 5 million people. The state is known for its freezing temperatures that can get even colder at -60 degrees Fahrenheit. Fortunately, the state has several colleges and universities offering online degree programs for students, allowing them to avoid these extreme weather conditions and reap the benefits of online educational programs from the comforts of their homes.
Minnesota is not only popular for its well-renowned brick-and-mortar universities but also reputable online schools offering top-quality degree programs. Earning an online degree program has an overwhelming amount of benefits, particularly for students who have full-time jobs and other obligations, and those who prefer the flexibility and convenience that distance learning offers. When enrolling in online programs, whether full-time or part-time, students save a substantial amount of money by cutting expenses on transportation, housing, and other traditional costs.
METHODOLOGY
To help prospective students in their search for the best online programs and academic institutions in the state, the staff and researchers at OnlineSchoolsCenter.com has created a list of the 5 Top Online Schools in Minnesota. Our ultimate goal is to enable you to make the best decision of enrolling in a reputable online school that showcases these top features:
- An extensive online degree program curriculum and rigorous coursework that gives each student the competitive edge,
- A healthy student-teacher ratio that guarantees personalized attention,
- Competent professors whose teaching styles and strategies are at par with traditional classroom instruction,
- A virtual learning platform that lets students access their coursework, assignments, and lectures with ease.
Read more about our ranking process. See our Methodology Page.
University of Minnesota- Twin Cities
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers comprehensive academic and research opportunities to more than 40,000 students. A member of the Association of American Universities, UM-Twin Cities offers more than 300 educational programs leading to a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees. The College of Continuing & Professional Studies facilitates the university’s online degree programs.
Online students pay tuition centered on the residency status and type of online degree program. The university offers several financial aid programs in assisting distance learners with the greatest financial need to cover 100% of the expense of their studies. Students can explore the university’s financial aid through the one-stop student services website related to finances.
UMN offers one online bachelor’s degree program, namely the Bachelor’s Degree in Multidisciplinary Studies. The program requires 120-credit hours for completion. Students are allowed to combine their educational goals with their previous coursework to develop a customized plan of study. It is a suitable option for adults who want to return to school to earn their degrees. Students take courses in three of five areas, namely communication; applied, technical and professional; history and social sciences; arts and humanities; and science and health sciences. Also, they can finish the program in two to five years, depending on the transfer of coursework, courses per term, and the pace of the student’s learning.
Like other online schools in Minnesota, the university offers certificate programs for students who want to develop a specific set of skills and profession. Students can choose from certificate offerings such as applied business, manufacturing operations management, business analysis, and human sexuality.
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records from previous college or universities attended
- Official High School Transcripts
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Bethel University
Bethel University holds a reputation for providing unique business partnership programs. The university offers courses and professional development programs to companies or organizations across the country. It delivers some of the most diverse online learning programs across Minnesota.
Bethel University offers 18 online degree programs in undergraduate degree studies as well as certifications. One of the popular bachelor’s degree programs of Bethel is the Bachelor of Arts in Human Services, providing students with the skills and knowledge to follow their passion for helping people in a variety of settings such as churches and social services sectors. This 48-credit hour online program has required core courses in social inequality, micro counseling skills, advocacy and social change, dynamics of interpersonal relationships, and families from a cross-cultural perspective. Students can earn this degree in as little as 21 months, depending on their timeframe of learning.
Also, Bethel University has two certificate programs such as addiction studies certificates, and alcohol and drug counseling. The addiction studies certificate has courses that start every six weeks, allowing students to earn this certification in eight months. This 18-credit certificate program has core courses in professional practice issues and ethics, counseling Micro skills, assessment and treatment of co-occurring disorders, introduction to addictions counseling, and pharmacology of addictions. On the other hand, the alcohol and drug counseling certificate program requires 26-credit hours that can be completed in only 20 months. Students take courses in professional practice issues and ethics, counseling Micro skills, pharmacology of addictions, introduction to addictions counseling, and assessment and treatment of co-occurring disorders. Students undergo two internship programs in addictions counseling.
Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official Transcript of Records
- Residency Status
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA – DULUTH
The University of Minnesota-Duluth enrolls over 11,000 students in seven significant colleges and is home to the Large Lakes Observatory, carrying a reputation for leading research on large lakes worldwide. Distance learners access a diverse selection of online undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the Moodle platform, enabling them to interact with their classmates and instructors, as well as access their online courses. The university provides cheaper per-credit and full-semester tuition fees based on the degree program. They offer several financial assistance programs to eligible students depending on their enrollment status and majors.
The University of Minnesota-Duluth has two bachelor’s degree programs, namely Bachelor of Arts in Tribal Administration & Governance, and Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology. The Tribal Administration program requires 120-credit hours, designed to equip students to work for tribes and non-governmental & governmental sectors that deal strictly with tribes. Students take core courses in fundamentals of tribal management, introduction to tribal administration and governance, current issues, and tribal administration and governance, American Indian tribal government and law, and foundations of indigenous leadership among other featured courses. On the other hand, the psychology degree program requires 120-credit hours for program completion. Core psychology courses include applied methods and measurement, general psychology, social psychology, history and systems of psychology, and experimental design and methodology.
Location: Duluth, Minnesota
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Official Transcript of Records
- Official High School Transcripts
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Concordia University-Saint Paul
Concordia University-Saint Paul is a member of the Concordia University system founded in 1893. Currently, the university enrolls more than 4,000 learners and operates within four academic colleges. Moreover, CSP offers more than 20 online programs in the associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate levels, providing them the skills they need to advance their career further and the flexibility to enroll in classes anytime, anywhere. The university offers a wide range of online student resources, including an online library, job board, writing center, and technical support.
Most of the online baccalaureate programs require students to have at least 120-credit hours for program completion. Areas of study include information and technology management, healthcare administration, criminal justice, nursing (RN-to-BSN track), computer science, sports management, and marketing among many other featured online programs.
One of the unique online degree programs of CSP is the Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science that emphasizes kinesiology concepts in human movement, management, and exercise. This online program prepares students for careers in fitness and wellness centers, coaching, rehabilitation sciences, personal training, and health & wellness education. This 49-credit hour online program has core required courses including applied exercise prescription, applied nutrition, motor development, control & motor learning, biomechanics, and health psychology, among others.
Graduate students can choose from CSP’s online master’s degree offerings in curriculum & instruction, special education, human resource management, strategic communication management, business administration, and coaching & athletic administration to name a few. Also, the university has two doctorate programs, namely the Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Education.
Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records from previous regionally-accredited academic institutions
- Official ACT or SAT Test Scores
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 based on a 4.0 system
- Academic Essay
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Crown College
Crown College is a private Christian university that caters to over 1,200 enrolled students, hosting an academic catalog that has 35 undergraduate and graduate degrees. Also, the university has several resources available for distance learners such as technical support over the phone, online job board, and online library with access to several EBSCO research databases. Also, some librarians provide educational assistance related to learning references six days a week via phone or email. All students enjoy financial support opportunities, including scholarships grants, work-study programs, and other tuition discounts and benefits.
The university offers an accelerated Pastoral Leadership Initiative for young adults who sense a call to full-time ministry. Under this program, the school offers a fully online B.S. in Christian Ministry, and B.S. in Biblical Studies, providing students the essential skills and knowledge in preparing them to serve as leaders in local churches, social service organizations, mission agencies.
Crown College’s Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies is designed for distance learners who want to expand their understanding and knowledge of the Bible, cultivating personal and professional spiritual foundation through an in-depth study of the word of God. The 125-credit hour online program has core required courses in History of the Old Testament, History of the New Testament, Interpreting the Bible, Spiritual Formation, and Concepts of Global & Ethical Leadership.
The university also offers nine online master’s degree programs in organizational leadership, ministry leadership, divinity, global leadership, pastoral counseling, alcohol and drug counseling, Christian studies, and business administration. The Master of Arts in Global Leadership program presents a faith-based curriculum that exemplifies Crown’s commitment to preparing students for active multicultural ministry through graduate education integrated with strong Christian principles. The 36-credit hour program has core courses in organizational communication, intercultural team building, strategic planning, social & cultural foundations for ministry, and program planning and evaluation.
Location: Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official Transcript of Records from previous regionally-accredited colleges or universities
- Financial Aid Application
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
In Minnesota, the academic institutions are slightly higher than the national average. However, distance learners benefit from not having to pay for meal plans, transportation expenses, and campus housing. Some online academic institutions in Minnesota have the same tuition fees for all students, regardless if they are living inside or outside the state. A few colleges and universities charge higher tuition rates for students who are not residents of Minnesota.
The majority of the job market now requires some college degree or higher education. If you want to qualify for several rewarding career opportunities, earning an undergraduate or graduate degree is crucial. When considering your options on where and what you want to study, you may wish to explore several online degree programs in both in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities. If you are a resident of Minnesota, there are numerous benefits to enrolling in academic institutions in your home state.
Earning an online degree in Minnesota provides several benefits, including the fact that the state has several reputable schools offering a variety of online degree programs. Distance learners who choose an online school in Minnesota benefit from maximum convenience and flexibility, offering asynchronous courses to ensure students can manage personal and professional obligations.
Minnesota is one of the member states of the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP), providing affordable opportunities for prospective students interested in enrolling out-of-state colleges. Over 100 colleges in Iowa, North Dakota, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri advocate MSEP programs by providing affordable opportunities for out-of-state distance learners.
METHODOLOGY
The rising tuition rates are every student’s challenge, and in many cases, it is a definite deterrent to achieving their academic goals. To find the best cheap online colleges, it is important to conduct in-depth research of your top picks. We spare you the daunting task of finding your best options as we put together the 5 Best Value Online Schools in Minnesota. These top-flight online schools in the state come highly recommended not only because of their reasonable tuition and fees but also for their commitment to providing quality online education that does not break the bank.
Winona State University
Winona State University has a growing selection of distance learning programs for prospective students to choose from. The university offers 11 entirely online undergraduate degree and certificate programs, providing students with the flexibility and convenience in earning a degree without compromising their personal and professional obligations. Winona State integrates their Desire2Learn Brightspace platform, allowing students to access courses as well as interact with their instructors and classmates online.
Winona offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration that focuses on behavioral and technical approaches to managing today’s rapidly-growing organizations. Students are immersed in information and learning that helps them in managing resources at the individual, group, and corporate level of analysis. The program has core required courses in international business, corporate finance, management of information systems, project management, operations management, and human resource development, among other featured courses.
Tuition Fees differ per degree program. Minnesota undergraduate students pay $251.30 per credit hour, while non-resident undergraduate students pay $456.24 per credit hour. Full-time students under the eWarrior Digital Life and Learning pay a flat-rate tuition fee of $485 per credit hour. On the other hand, Minnesota graduate students pay $415.80 per credit hour, while non-resident graduate students pay $627.35 per credit hour. Similar to the undergraduate programs, flat-rate tuition of $485.00 per credit hour is eWarrior Digital Life and Learning’s payment fee. The university offers several financial aid opportunities for eligible students depending on their enrollment status and majors.
Location: Winona, Minnesota
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- GED Requirements
- Official Transcript of Records
- Official High School Transcripts
- Admission Fee
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Bemidji State University
Bemidji State University is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System that has more than 5,000 enrolled students and over 65 majors available. The university offers seven bachelor’s degrees, seven minors, and two undergraduate certificate programs as part of their offerings for distance learning opportunities. BSU integrates D2L Brightspace learning management system to deliver online courses through the web browser. Students enjoy access to BSU’s student support services such as technical support, library resources, advising, disability services, and tutoring services.
One of the unique programs offered by BSU is the Bachelor of Applied Management, a transfer-friendly program designed for individuals who possess a two-year professional degree and are interested in pursuing their professional career. This online program consists of 60-credit hours of core courses in principles of professional development, economic and costs analysis, quality assurance, markets and resource allocation, and mathematical reasoning among many other featured courses.
The university offers low tuition fees and expenses based on the program level and degree type. All in-state and out-of-state students pay flat-rate tuition fees. Undergraduate students pay $274.40 per credit hour, while graduate students pay $432.15 per credit hour. Also, students pay miscellaneous and other expenses on top of the per-credit tuition expenses. BSU offers financial aid opportunities for students who require assistance in paying the cost of their education through scholarships, grants, loans, federal work-study programs as well as tuition benefits and discounts.
Location: Bemidji, Minnesota
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official SAT or ACT Test Scores
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
University of Minnesota- Crookston
University of Minnesota-Crookston provides comprehensive and academic programs to more than 1,800 enrolled students. UMN-Crookston takes pride in its distance learning programs that are tailored to meet the needs of adult professionals, offering them flexibility and convenience of distance learning.
Undergraduate programs of UMN- Crookston include a Bachelor of Science in Management, Bachelor of Science in International Business, Bachelor of Manufacturing Management, and Bachelor of Science in Sport and Recreation Management among other featured degree programs. Program requirements and duration differ per program. Bachelor’s degree programs generally require at least 120-credit hours for program completion.
UMN-Crookston has flat-rate tuition fees, allowing students to pay the same amount regardless of residency status. On-campus and off-campus students pay $401.50 per credit hour across degree program offerings. All indicated fees do not yet include miscellaneous fees and other related expenses.
The university offers a wide selection of financial aid types where students can qualify and lodge their application, providing them financial aid opportunities depending on their enrollment status and major.
Location: Crookston, Minnesota
Admission Requirements:
- Official Transcript of Records
- Official High School Transcripts
- Online Application for Admission
- Official SAT or ACT Test Scores
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud State University is considered one of Minnesota’s largest public universities with more than 15,000 enrolled students. The university offers more than 100 online courses, enabling students to complete a set of coursework without leaving the comforts of their own homes. Also, the university uses a semester-based calendar, and distance learners can have books and other academic references delivered directly to a home address from the library. In total, Saint Cloud has 17 online certificate programs and degrees for a graduate-level of studies and three undergraduate degree programs. The university integrates D2L Brightspace platform as the learning content management system, enabling students to access a set of coursework and interact with classmates and professors anytime anywhere.
One of the online degree programs that Saint Cloud offers is the Bachelor of Elective Studies, allowing distance learners to take higher-level courses in more than one specific area of study without having to complete the full requirements of a single major.
Saint Cloud Tuition Fees vary per program and majors. Undergraduate resident students pay $289.15 per credit hour, while distance learners pay an additional $621.85 per credit hour. Graduate in-state tuition fee costs $414.45 per credit hour, while graduate out-of-state tuition fee costs $629.65 per credit hour. The university offers several student registration and financial services programs for qualified students depending on enrollment status and majors.
Location: Saint Cloud, Minnesota
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records
- Official SAT or ACT Test Scores
- Official High School Transcripts
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
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Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minnesota State University Moorhead provides online learning opportunities for working professionals in different areas of study such as educational leadership, global supply chain management, health services administration, nursing, curriculum & instruction, and business administration among many other majors.
The university has 11 online bachelor’s degree programs, providing prospective students with a degree program that will help them establish post-graduate studies. Furthermore, MNState has an online Business Administration program, accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. Prospective students can choose from three concentrations under this online business administration program, namely International Business, Management, and Marketing. This 120-credit hour program has core courses in principles of accounting, operations management, strategic management, introduction to business analytics, legal environment of business, and principles of marketing, among other featured courses.
Graduate students may choose from MNState’s 31 master’s degree programs in areas of study, including business, special education, teacher leadership, healthcare administration, and curriculum & instruction. Program requirements and duration vary per degree program. The majority of the master’s degree programs require at least 36- to 38-credit hours for program completion.
Tuition Fees vary per degree program and requirements. Undergraduate resident students pay $246.16 per credit hour, while non-residents pay $492.32 per credit hour. All students must pay educational resources fees and application and reservation fees on top of the tuition fee.
Minnesota State University Moorhead offers several financial aid opportunities to all students, including funds scholarships, grants, loans, and federal work-study programs.
Location: Moorhead, Minnesota
Admission Requirements:
- Official Transcript of Records
- Official High School Transcripts
- Online Application for Admission
- Official ACT or SAT Test Scores
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
