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2022 Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid

19 Ranked Colleges
2,191 Degrees Awarded
$18,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

General Education is the 35th most popular major in the country with 29,936 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, general education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,138 and had an average of $29,674 in loans still to pay off.

Across Minnesota, there were 2,191 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $52,650 and $39,908 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general education programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank General Education Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid.

Top 19 Best Value Colleges for General Education in Minnesota (With Aid)

#1

Century College

White Bear Lake, Minnesota
#15 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Century College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid list. Century College is a public institution located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Century College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” list. The yearly cost to attend Century College is $10,808 for minnesota education students with aid.

Read more about General Education at Century College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $17,067 for minnesota education students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at UMN Duluth

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southwest Minnesota State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public institution located in Marshall, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 136 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our minnesota education students with aid list, Southwest Minnesota State University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southwest Minnesota State University is $14,397 for Minnesota Education students with aid.

Read full report on General Education at Southwest Minnesota State University

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #4 spot on the list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” list. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $16,221 for Minnesota Education students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Minnesota State University - Mankato

#5

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Winona State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” list. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $17,656 for Minnesota Education students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Winona State University General Education Report

#6

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji State University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid ranking. Bemidji State University is a public institution located in Bemidji, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Bemidji State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” list. It costs about $15,868 for Minnesota Education students with aid per year to attend Bemidji State University.

Read more about General Education at Bemidji State University

#7

Bethany Lutheran College

Mankato, Minnesota

Bethany Lutheran College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid ranking. Bethany Lutheran College is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

BLC also made our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $16,368 for Minnesota Education students with aid per year to attend Bethany Lutheran College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Bethany Lutheran College

#8

Martin Luther College

New Ulm, Minnesota

Martin Luther College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid ranking. MLC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New Ulm, Minnesota. It awarded 19 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

MLC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” list. The yearly cost to attend MLC is $19,703 for Minnesota Education students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Martin Luther College General Education Report

#9

Normandale Community College

Bloomington, Minnesota

With a ranking of #9, Normandale Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Bloomington, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 1 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

Normandale Community College also took the #20 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Normandale Community College is $12,620 for minnesota education students with aid.

Read full report on General Education at Normandale Community College

#10

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid ranking. Hamline is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 59 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Hamline also took the #5 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hamline is $20,866 for minnesota education students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Hamline University

#11

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid ranking. Gustavus Adolphus is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Peter, Minnesota. It awarded 20 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Gustavus Adolphus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” list. The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus is $19,093 for Minnesota Education students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Gustavus Adolphus College General Education Report

With a ranking of #12, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid list. SMU MN is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 206 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

SMU MN also made our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is $19,514 for minnesota education students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

#13

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

St Catherine University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

St. Kate’s not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” list. It costs about $19,078 for Minnesota Education students with aid per year to attend St Catherine University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at St. Kate’s

#14

Concordia College at Moorhead

Moorhead, Minnesota

Concordia College at Moorhead landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Moorhead, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 3 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

Concordia College Moorhead not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” list. It costs about $23,029 for minnesota education students with aid per year to attend Concordia College Moorhead.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Concordia College Moorhead

#15

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Capella University is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 98 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our minnesota education students with aid list, Capella University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” ranking. It costs about $17,619 for Minnesota Education students with aid per year to attend Capella University.

Full Capella University General Education Report

#16

North Central University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

With a ranking of #16, North Central University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid list. North Central University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our minnesota education students with aid list, North Central University has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Central University is $21,142 for Minnesota Education students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full North Central University General Education Report

#17

University of Northwestern - St Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota

University of Northwestern - St Paul did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 5 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northwestern - St Paul is $21,871 for minnesota education students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Northwestern

#18

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid ranking. Bethel University Minnesota is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Bethel University Minnesota also took the #7 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bethel University Minnesota is $25,191 for Minnesota Education students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Bethel University Minnesota

#19

Crown College

Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota

Crown College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota For Those Getting Aid ranking. Crown College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota. It awarded 2 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Crown also made our “Best General Education Schools in Minnesota” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Crown College is $26,396 for Minnesota Education students with aid.

Read full report on General Education at Crown College

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to KOKUYO.

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