Best Colleges in Minnesota – 2024

Academic Highlights: Students work closely with their professors, and the college is routinely rated atop lists of best undergraduate teaching institutions. Small classes are the norm with the average being only 16 students; in 17% of your classes, you will be surrounded by no more than nine of your peers. Faculty-mentored research is embedded into many courses, independent study opportunities abound, and full-time supervised research is available during summer and winter break. Over three-quarters of the student body elect to study abroad in one of 130 programs offered in sixty countries. Furthermore, 70% of students spend a semester studying in another part of the globe.

Professional Outcomes: Target, Epic Systems, Google, Wells Fargo, and Amazon all employ large numbers of graduates. Carleton is a breeding ground for future scholars as a ridiculously high number of graduates go on to earn PhDs. In fact, by percentage, Carleton is one of the top ten producers in the country of future PhDs. Geographically, the greatest number of students remain in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, but many also head to New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, DC, Boston, and Seattle

Academic Highlights: Being an undergraduate-only institution, Macalester students enjoy the full benefits of the school’s 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The average class size is only 17 students, and 16% of class sections have single-digit enrollments. That level of intimacy leads to plentiful chances to be part of faculty-led research, including through the Collaborative Summer Research Program that provides stipends for student-faculty research ventures. In total, 54% of students participate in some form of undergraduate research. Study abroad opportunities, typically twelve weeks in length, are taken advantage of by 60% of Macalester undergrads.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 95% of the Macalester Class of 2023 had found employment, graduate school, or a fellowship. Employers of recent grads include 3M, Bank of America, Bloomberg, Epic, JP Morgan Chase, Mayo Clinic, and the US Forest Service. Across all sectors, the average starting salary for recent grads was $57,000. Seventeen percent of Mac grads pursue an advanced degree, continuing their studies at Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Stanford, and Yale.

Academic Highlights: There are 150 majors available across eight freshman-admitting undergraduate colleges. A 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio is deployed effectively so that 65% of sections enroll 29 or fewer students. No matter your field of study, you can utilize UM’s well-maintained database of upcoming faculty research projects as a way to connect directly with the professor of your choice; more than 2,000 undergraduates participate in a research or creative project every year. An outstanding 30% of UMTC students study abroad during their academic career with the most popular destinations being Spain, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Professional Outcomes: Over 1000 alumni work at Target, Medtronic, 3M, and U.S. Bank; Amazon, Google, Cargill, and Microsoft employ 500+ UMN graduates each. The average starting salary across all majors is approximately 60k and recent employers include Boeing, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, Abbott, IBM, EcoLab, Boston Scientific, Wells Fargo, Google, Apple, and Microsoft and Epic. With 130 graduate programs, the University of Minnesota retains many of its graduates as they pursue their next degrees.

Academic Highlights: St. Olaf offers 45+ majors, as well as a number of teaching majors and teaching certification programs. 40% of all course sections contain fewer than twenty students, and there are multiple avenues through which students can pursue research experiences. Graduation surveys reveal students who are immensely satisfied with the St. Olaf academic experience; 94% agreed that the faculty made them better critical thinkers. Studying abroad is a staple of life for Oles; 62% spend a semester studying off campus, the vast majority at an international locale.

Professional Outcomes: In 2023, 95% of graduates had entered the workforce or graduate school within six months of receiving their diplomas. The great majority of alumni remain in the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area, which impacts what companies hire the most Oles. Alumni have the largest representation at Target, Mayo Clinic, US Bank, Optum, Wells Fargo, Medtronic, UnitedHealth Group, and Best Buy. Twenty-five percent of recent grads pursued further education, attending institutions such as Yale Divinity School, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Cornell University, and the University of Chicago.

Academic Highlights: Gustavus Adolphus College offers students a comprehensive liberal arts education through 73 majors, all supported by an excellent 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This personalized learning environment shines in the classroom—67% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students—while the innovative Gustavus Signature Experience (SigX) ensures every student completes meaningful experiential learning through internships, research, study away, or community engagement. The college’s global perspective is enriched by students from 40 states and 34 countries, with 83% of the Class of 2023 participating in internships, research, or study abroad.

Professional Outcomes: Gustavus graduates achieve impressive career success, with 71% employed and 19% enrolled in graduate programs shortly after graduation. Alumni lead at top employers, including the Mayo Clinic, 3M, and Deloitte, while others pursue advanced degrees at elite institutions like Northwestern, Duke, and Yale. These outstanding outcomes demonstrate the power of Gustavus’s combination of rigorous academics, hands-on learning through SigX, and global engagement in preparing graduates for both immediate career impact and long-term professional growth.

Academic Highlights: As Minnesota’s largest private university, St. Thomas offers students 150+ undergraduate majors and minors across eight distinguished colleges and schools. The university guarantees 100% faculty-taught classes and delivers exceptional global engagement—47% of Tommies study abroad across 50+ countries, supported by a diverse community representing 46 states and 81 nations. This commitment to personalized, experiential learning prepares graduates to lead in an interconnected world.

Professional Outcomes: St. Thomas achieves outstanding career outcomes, with 97% of graduates employed or in graduate school within six months. The university’s emphasis on professional preparation shines through its 67% internship participation rate, leading to full-time positions at Fortune 500 leaders like UnitedHealth Group, 3M, and Target, with 73% earning $40,000+ salaries. Most alumni strengthen Minnesota’s economy in the Twin Cities metro, demonstrating St. Thomas’ vital role as the state’s premier talent developer for multiple sectors.

Academic Highlights: The College of Saint Benedict provides an exceptional women’s liberal arts education through 37 majors and over 70 areas of study, all taught exclusively by faculty in an intimate learning environment with an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and average class size of 15. This personalized academic experience attracts a diverse community from 40 states and 21 countries, while the college’s global emphasis is reflected in its remarkable study abroad participation—more than 40% of students gain international experience. The combination of small classes, 100% faculty instruction, and global engagement creates transformative educational opportunities.

Professional Outcomes: Saint Ben’s graduates achieve outstanding career success, with 97% securing employment at leading organizations like Target, UnitedHealth Group, and Medtronic. Many choose to build their careers in the thriving Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, contributing significantly to Minnesota’s healthcare sector at employers including Allina Health and Fairview Health Services. These impressive outcomes demonstrate how the college’s women-centered liberal arts education effectively prepares graduates for leadership roles throughout the region.

Academic Highlights: Saint John’s University stands as a premier liberal arts college for men, distinguished by its innovative Integrations Curriculum that reveals the vital connections between arts, sciences, and humanities. With 37 majors, a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and an average class size of 15, SJU delivers an intensely personalized education where 100% of courses are taught by faculty. The university’s global perspective is enhanced by study abroad participation (40%) within a diverse community representing 40 states and 21 countries, creating well-rounded graduates prepared for leadership roles.

Professional Outcomes: SJU graduates achieve strong career outcomes, securing positions at elite employers like Mayo Clinic, Deloitte, and KPMG. Many choose to advance their education at prestigious institutions, including the University of Minnesota and Creighton University. Most alumni build their professional lives in Minnesota, particularly in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, where they contribute to the region’s thriving economy. These results demonstrate how SJU’s unique combination of interdisciplinary learning, global awareness, and all-male leadership development produces graduates who excel in both professional and academic pursuits.

Academic Highlights: St. Catherine University provides an exceptionally personalized education with an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 74% of classes enrolling fewer than 20 students. Through three colleges and four schools, students choose from 50+ bachelor’s degrees and can access 30+ additional programs via the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities consortium. The university emphasizes hands-on learning through robust undergraduate research opportunities, including the Assistantship Mentoring Program and participation in the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, preparing students for professional success.

Professional Outcomes: St. Kate’s graduates achieve excellent outcomes, with 90% employed, volunteering, serving in the military, or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. The university’s strong Twin Cities connections provide access to 600+ internship partners, leading to careers at top regional employers like Allina Health, Children’s Minnesota, and Fairview Health Services. Most alumni build their careers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, demonstrating how St. Kate’s combination of intimate learning experiences, research opportunities, and professional preparation creates graduates who make immediate impacts in their career fields.

Academic Highlights: Bethel University offers a Christ-centered education with more than 100 areas of study, combining academic rigor with personalized mentorship through its 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. As a private Christian university, Bethel fosters an intimate learning environment where 57% of classes maintain fewer than 20 students. The university emphasizes global engagement, providing access to 600+ study abroad opportunities that broaden students’ perspectives while maintaining its faith-based mission. This balanced approach prepares graduates to excel professionally while making meaningful contributions to their communities.

Professional Outcomes: Bethel graduates enjoy exceptional career outcomes, with 97% employed or enrolled in graduate programs shortly after commencement. Alumni thrive at leading organizations including Medtronic, Target, and Boston Scientific, particularly in the thriving Greater Minneapolis-St.Paul area where most choose to establish their careers. These strong placement results reflect Bethel’s successful integration of faith-based values with career-ready skills.