Finding Your Best School Match
Our analysis looked at 29 schools in Minnesota to determine which ones have the best bachelor's degree programs. To come up with this ranking of the best schools, we look at factors that are all objective measurements. We explain more about what we look at and why we do so below.
Average Earnings
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of bachelor's graduates during the early years of their career. After all, your degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
Taking Out Student Loans
Another factor that we look at to determine a school's ranking is the average debt load that students take on while they are working on their bachelor's degree.
When attending a school in Minnesota, bachelor's degree students accumulate an average of $28,140 in student debt before graduation.
We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty bachelor's recipients will have paying back their loans.
More Ranking Factors That Are Important
We also analyze a number of other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt when coming up with our yearly Best Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking.
On a broad level, other factors that go into our rankings include such things as the demand of the school, the student body caliber, if the school has online options, and the educational resources provided by the school.
To learn more, visit our best colleges ranking methodology page.
More Rankings to View
You may also want to
narrow this list by location to find the best bachelor's degree schools nearest you. In addition, we've put together a number of other
college rankings that may help you in your search.
Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in Minnesota
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
9,414
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,425
Average Early-Career Earnings
$22,102
Average Student Debt
Our analysis found University of Minnesota - Twin Cities to be the best school for bachelor’s degrees in Minnesota in this year’s ranking. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 9,414 students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $43,425 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $22,102. This translates to an average monthly payment of $258 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Read full report on University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
5,286
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$55,019
Average Early-Career Earnings
$38,888
Average Student Debt
Out of the 29 bachelor’s degree schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s ranking, Capella University landed the #2 spot on the list. This large private for-profit school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 5,286 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Capella University make an average of $55,019 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $38,888 after getting their degree.
Full Capella University Report
517
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$37,874
Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,046
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Carleton College. The school came in at #3 in Minnesota on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Carleton is a private not-for-profit institution located in Northfield, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 517 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Carleton is $37,874 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $16,046.
Learn More About Carleton College
1,540
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$47,173
Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,773
Average Student Debt
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at University of St Thomas Minnesota helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Minnesota. UST MN is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,540 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UST MN is $47,173 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $24,773 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $307 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Learn More About University of St Thomas Minnesota
942
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$34,897
Average Early-Career Earnings
$23,567
Average Student Debt
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend St Olaf College. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota list. St. Olaf is a private not-for-profit institution located in Northfield, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 942 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $34,897 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $23,567 after getting their degree.
Full St Olaf College Report
585
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$37,812
Average Early-Career Earnings
$20,830
Average Student Debt
Macalester College did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking, coming in at #6. Macalester College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 585 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Macalester is $37,812 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $20,830.
Learn More About Macalester College
2,288
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$39,650
Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,524
Average Student Debt
University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking, coming in at #7. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a medium-sized public school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 2,288 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from UMN Duluth make an average of $39,650 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $24,524 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $202 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Learn More About University of Minnesota - Duluth
2,524
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,832
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,481
Average Student Debt
Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,524 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Minnesota State Mankato make an average of $43,832 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $25,481. This translates to an average monthly payment of $133 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Learn More About Minnesota State University - Mankato
487
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$40,995
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,530
Average Student Debt
College of Saint Benedict ranked #9 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Located in Saint Joseph, Minnesota, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 487 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from CSB make an average of $40,995 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $26,530 after getting their degree.
Read full report on College of Saint Benedict
807
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,334
Average Early-Career Earnings
$27,421
Average Student Debt
The College of Saint Scholastica came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. St. Scholastica is located in Duluth, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 807 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from St. Scholastica make an average of $43,334 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $27,421 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $314 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Full The College of Saint Scholastica Report
1,622
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$40,802
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,913
Average Student Debt
Winona State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Winona State is located in Winona, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,622 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $40,802 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,913 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $176 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Read full report on Winona State University
773
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$41,086
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,906
Average Student Debt
Bethel University Minnesota came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 773 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $41,086 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,906 after getting their degree. Average monthly loan payments are around $356 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Learn More About Bethel University Minnesota
614
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,408
Average Early-Career Earnings
$30,041
Average Student Debt
St Catherine University landed the #13 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. St Catherine University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 614 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from St. Kate’s make an average of $43,408 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $30,041. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $349.
Full St Catherine University Report
520
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$32,481
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,397
Average Student Debt
Hamline University landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. Hamline is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 520 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Hamline make an average of $32,481 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,397 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $305 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Hamline University Report
1,934
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$44,391
Average Early-Career Earnings
$31,341
Average Student Debt
Metropolitan State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Metro State is a medium-sized public school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 1,934 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Metro State make an average of $44,391 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $31,341 in student loans.
Read full report on Metropolitan State University
697
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$37,148
Average Early-Career Earnings
$23,408
Average Student Debt
University of Northwestern - St Paul came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. Northwestern is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 697 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Northwestern make an average of $37,148 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $23,408 in student loans. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $326.
Full University of Northwestern - St Paul Report
475
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$34,477
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,571
Average Student Debt
Concordia College at Moorhead landed the #17 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. Concordia College Moorhead is a private not-for-profit institution located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 475 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Concordia College Moorhead make an average of $34,477 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $26,571 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Concordia College at Moorhead
1,064
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$38,835
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,397
Average Student Debt
Minnesota State University - Moorhead came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. Moorhead, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,064 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from MSU Moorhead make an average of $38,835 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $25,397.
Read full report on Minnesota State University - Moorhead
1,859
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$44,361
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,647
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #19, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,859 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from St. Cloud State University make an average of $44,361 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,647 after getting their degree.
Full Saint Cloud State University Report
393
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$41,681
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,710
Average Student Debt
Saint Johns University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Collegeville, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 393 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from SJU make an average of $41,681 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $26,710 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Saint Johns University
457
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$51,681
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,801
Average Student Debt
University of Minnesota - Crookston landed the #21 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. Crookston, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 457 students in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UMN Crookston go into careers with an average salary of $51,681 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,801 in student loans.
Learn More About University of Minnesota - Crookston
449
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$38,133
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,725
Average Student Debt
Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking, coming in at #22. Gustavus Adolphus is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Peter, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 449 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Gustavus Adolphus make an average of $38,133 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $26,725 after getting their degree.
Full Gustavus Adolphus College Report
1,012
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,257
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,533
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #23, Bemidji State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Located in Bemidji, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 1,012 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State University make an average of $43,257 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,533 in student loans.
Read full report on Bemidji State University
592
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,372
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,353
Average Student Debt
Augsburg University landed the #24 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 592 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Augsburg is $42,372 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,353.
Learn More About Augsburg University
437
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$45,267
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,794
Average Student Debt
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a small private not-for-profit school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 437 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from SMU MN is $45,267 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,794.
Learn More About Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
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