Best Grad Schools in Minnesota 2026

Badge for BEST IN MINNESOTA GRADUATE SCHOOLS
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
Updated:

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Minnesota offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

Key Takeaways

  • The best graduate programs in Minnesota often emphasize cross-disciplinary studies, allowing students to engage in collaborative research across fields such as healthcare, technology, and environmental science.
  • Many of the institutions in our ranking have close connections with leading industries in the Twin Cities, offering internships, research opportunities, and networking events that prepare students for careers in growing sectors like medical devices, data analytics, and renewable energy.
  • The best graduate schools in Minnesota frequently incorporate community engagement and social responsibility into their programs, offering initiatives that address local and global challenges, from public health disparities to climate change solutions.

Best Grad Schools in Minnesota in 2026

  1. University of Minnesota
  2. Hamline University
  3. University of Minnesota Duluth
  4. University of St. Thomas
  5. Minnesota State University, Mankato
  6. Minnesota State University Moorhead
  7. St. Cloud State University
  8. Winona State University
  9. Bethel University
  10. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

This ranking identifies the strongest doctorate-granting graduate schools in Minnesota and explains how they compare across research capacity, program breadth, and graduate outcomes. To be considered we limit the list to fully accredited, non-profit institutions that award doctoral degrees and maintain a wide range of master’s and professional programs; there are 14 doctorate-granting graduate schools in the state.

Below you’ll find the ranked schools and a concise guide to what each institution is best known for—research focus, professional preparation, interdisciplinary options, or regional engagement—so you can quickly match program strengths to your academic and career goals.

Best Grad Schools in Minnesota

  1. #1

    University of Minnesota

    Minneapolis , MN
    #6 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2026 #6 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2026 #6 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2026 #22 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    59K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1400/28

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Minnesota

    Cost of Degree: $16,488
    Expenses: $16,378
    Starting Salary: $74,314
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Minnesota known for?

    University of Minnesota’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  2. #2

    Hamline University

    Saint Paul , MN
    #4 Best Christian Colleges Minnesota 2026 #5 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #5 Best Small Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Minnesota 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $52K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1262/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Hamline University

    Cost of Degree: $48,311
    Expenses: $13,950
    Starting Salary: $64,996
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Hamline University known for?

    Hamline University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  3. #3

    University of Minnesota Duluth

    Duluth , MN
    #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #2 Best Public Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #7 Best Colleges in Minnesota 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1265/25

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Minnesota Duluth

    Cost of Degree: $14,318
    Expenses: $13,654
    Starting Salary: $67,944
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Minnesota Duluth known for?

    University of Minnesota Duluth’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    University of St. Thomas

    Saint Paul , MN
    #2 Best Research Universities in Minnesota 2026 #5 Best Christian Colleges Minnesota 2026 #6 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #8 Best Colleges in Minnesota 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1341/27

    Career Outlook for degree at University of St. Thomas

    Cost of Degree: $52,284
    Expenses: $16,528
    Starting Salary: $82,322
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of St. Thomas known for?

    University of St. Thomas ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  6. #5

    Minnesota State University, Mankato

    Mankato , MN
    #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #3 Best Public Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #9 Best Colleges in Minnesota 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    18K

    Career Outlook for degree at Minnesota State University, Mankato

    Cost of Degree: $9,490
    Expenses: $14,938
    Starting Salary: $61,916
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Minnesota State University, Mankato known for?

    Minnesota State University, Mankato’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  7. #6

    Minnesota State University Moorhead

    Moorhead , MN
    #4 Best Public Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #10 Best Colleges in Minnesota 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    59%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at Minnesota State University Moorhead

    Cost of Degree: $10,336
    Expenses: $15,364
    Starting Salary: $55,234
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Minnesota State University Moorhead known for?

    Minnesota State University Moorhead’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  8. #7

    St. Cloud State University

    Saint Cloud , MN
    #5 Best Public Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #5 Best Online Master's Programs in Minnesota

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1142/21

    Career Outlook for degree at St. Cloud State University

    Cost of Degree: $10,117
    Expenses: $13,630
    Starting Salary: $59,509
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is St. Cloud State University known for?

    St. Cloud State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  9. #8

    Winona State University

    Winona , MN
    #6 Best Public Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Minnesota 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Winona State University

    Cost of Degree: $10,498
    Expenses: $13,464
    Starting Salary: $63,354
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Winona State University known for?

    Winona State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  10. #9

    Bethel University

    Saint Paul , MN
    #4 Best Research Universities in Minnesota 2026 #9 Best Christian Colleges Minnesota 2026 #10 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #8 Best Online Master's Programs in Minnesota

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1245/25

    Career Outlook for degree at Bethel University

    Cost of Degree: $42,930
    Expenses: $16,460
    Starting Salary: $69,827
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Bethel University known for?

    Bethel University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  12. #10

    Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

    Winona , MN
    #10 Best Christian Colleges Minnesota 2026 #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Minnesota #8 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #9 Best Online Master's Programs in Minnesota

    Tuition + fees

    $47K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

    Cost of Degree: $43,160
    Expenses: $14,220
    Starting Salary: $68,708
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Saint Mary's University of Minnesota known for?

    Saint Mary's University of Minnesota’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  13. #11

    Metropolitan State University

    Saint Paul , MN
    #5 Best Research Universities in Minnesota 2026 #9 Best Public Colleges in Minnesota 2026 #5 Best Online MBA Programs in Minnesota #9 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at Metropolitan State University

    Cost of Degree: $9,780
    Starting Salary: $66,336
    What is Metropolitan State University known for?

    Metropolitan State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  14. #12

    Concordia University, St. Paul

    Saint Paul , MN
    #10 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Computer Science #20 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at Concordia University, St. Paul

    Cost of Degree: $25,000
    Expenses: $16,800
    Starting Salary: $65,009
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Concordia University, St. Paul known for?

    Concordia University, St. Paul’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
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Minnesota’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. University of Minnesota
  2. University of St. Thomas
  3. Hamline University
  4. Minnesota State University, Mankato
  5. Bethel University
  6. St. Catherine University
  7. Winona State University
  8. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
  9. Concordia University, St. Paul
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