Minnesota has public and private schools across the state, giving residents a wealth of options for college education. However, not everyone wants to study on campus, and not every out-of-state learner who wants to complete a particular program in Minnesota can afford to relocate and take classes in person.
Online colleges in Minnesota offer more flexibility than traditional campus programs. They can also make schools more affordable by cutting costs and better accommodating the schedules of enrollees with family or career obligations. On this page, explore the best online colleges in Minnesota and the different ways online learning can save you money.
Explore these promoted online degree programs.
These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Masters or PhD programs.
Top Online Colleges in MN 2024
Price Check
All Minnesota state colleges and universities have frozen tuition prices through spring 2025.
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Minnesota
Many of Minnesota's fastest-growing jobs belong to its booming healthcare and data sectors. The state needs more healthcare services to support its aging population, including management and advanced practice providers. Minnesota also needs data specialists across many industries to analyze and draw insights from consumer information.
The following table examines 10 professions with faster-than-average growth projections in Minnesota.
| Job | Projected Growth, 2022-2032 | Average Annual Wage in MN, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | 43.8% | $135,010 |
| Data Scientists | 34.1% | $118,760 |
| Statisticians | 30.3% | $95,980 |
| Physician Assistants | 27.9% | $134,870 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 26.1% | $129,350 |
| Operations Research Analysts | 22.2% | $102,740 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | 20.3% | $61,240 |
| Logisticians | 19.5% | $87,870 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | 18.6% | $83,990 |
Majors to Consider to Prepare for Minnesota's Job Market
Your chosen major can significantly affect your future, so choosing a subject to study can be stressful. Consider one of the following majors, which can help you qualify for the in-demand careers highlighted in the table above.
Nursing
A nursing degree can lead to entry-level medical services and nursing careers, but it can also lay the groundwork for nurse practitioner and physician assistant graduate programs. Both of these upper-level professions require a master's degree, and most programs seek enrollees with nursing bachelor's degrees and experience.Business Administration
Business administration degrees offer plenty of flexibility, allowing you to apply your education and skills to various career paths, including fields like medical and health services management, logistics, and information systems management. You can even target niche business fields by being selective with your specializations, electives, and internships.Data Science
Data has become a critical resource for organizations and businesses seeking advanced decision-making insights to solve problems. In Minnesota, a degree in data science can prepare you to pursue fast-growing statistician, logistician, data scientist, and operations research roles.Mathematics
A mathematics major can equip you with widely applicable analytical and problem-solving skills. You can put these skills to use in many in-demand fields in Minnesota, such as statistics, logistics, and operations research analysis.
Cost of Living in Minnesota
While Minnesota's cost of living is lower than the national average, it exceeds that of many surrounding states. As a student in Minnesota, you need to manage relatively high transportation and grocery costs. Typically, larger cities are also more expensive than less populous areas of the state.
If you study online, you can reduce or eliminate transportation costs altogether. If you already live in a more rural area, you can also avoid the elevated housing prices found in big cities.
| Cost of Living Category | Average Cost Per Month |
|---|---|
| Housing | $1,021 |
| Groceries & Food | $385 |
| Transportation | $843 |
| Medical Care | $253 |
Scholarships and Cost Savings for Online Colleges in Minnesota
You can find cost savings at many online colleges in Minnesota, such as discounted tuition rates for online students or in-state rates for out-of-state students at public schools.
You can also benefit from merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, and tuition-reduction programs available to Minnesota's students. Explore several of these funding opportunities below.
Minnesota Indian Scholarship
This award supports Minnesota residents who demonstrate financial need and have at least one-fourth Native American ancestry or are enrolled members/citizens of a recognized tribe/First Nation. Undergraduate applicants must study at least three-quarter time and graduate applicants must study at least half-time at an accredited institution. If they maintain satisfactory academic performance, recipients may renew their scholarship for up to ten years: five years of undergraduate and five years of graduate study.
Scholarship Amount: $4,000 for undergraduates and $6,000 for graduate students
Scholarship Deadline: July 1
North Star Promise Scholarship Program
Available to Minnesota residents pursuing their first college degree, this program aims to completely fund each recipient's education. Participants must attend a public or tribal school in Minnesota and have a reported family adjusted gross income of less than $80,000.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Scholarship Deadline: June 30
Evelyn Lenander Education Scholarship
Students who graduated from a Minnesota high school and are entering their third or fourth year at an in-state college or university may apply for this award. Candidates must major in elementary education, demonstrate a minimum 3.0 GPA, and plan to earn their initial teaching certificate in the state. The scholarship committee prefers students who live in the Buffalo Lake area.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000-$4,500
Scholarship Deadline: March 1
Korean American Scholarship Foundation – Midwestern Regional Chapter
Applicants must enroll full time at an accredited college or university in Minnesota or another state in the Midwest. They also need to demonstrate financial need and possess a minimum 3.0 GPA. The scholarship committee accepts applications from high school students as well as undergraduate and graduate program enrollees.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Scholarship Deadline: June 30
MN Academic Excellence Scholarship
For this award, recipients must study full time at an approved nonsectarian in-state college or university. Applicants must commit to enroll at one of these institutions during their senior year of high school and demonstrate excellence in one of several disciplines.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Scholarship Deadline: N/A
Tuition Reciprocity Benefits for Out-of-State Students in Minnesota
Tuition reciprocity agreements make paying in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities possible even when you live in another state. Minnesota has reciprocity agreements with North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, which allows students from these jurisdictions to pay in-state or discounted rates.
Minnesota also has a limited agreement with Iowa, offering reduced tuition rates for students enrolled at Minnesota West Community & Technical College or Iowa Lakes Community College. The state also offers a reciprocity agreement with Manitoba, Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online College in Minnesota
Distance education programs can offer more affordable tuition than on-campus programs. Some of the best online colleges in Minnesota disregard residency status, providing the same tuition rates for all students. Institutions may even charge lower online-only rates for distance learners.
In contrast, some schools charge slightly higher tuition rates for online enrollees to help pay for dedicated information technology services and software updates. For example, Anoka-Ramsey Community College charges distance learners $203 per credit, while traditional students pay only $165. However, online students may ultimately pay less for their degree by saving money on housing, commute, and campus fees.
