Best Small Colleges in Minnesota 2025
Small colleges in Minnesota are a great option for students interested in a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Whether the focus is on the technical or on the liberal arts, small colleges give you the chance to earn a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree while pursuing a well-rounded education, working closely with classmates and professors in a dynamic community atmosphere.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota has 22 of the best fully accredited small colleges with student bodies of less than 5000 students.
- Small colleges in Minnesota are the perfect solution for students seeking a bachelor’s degree who are looking for a more intimate campus experience with lots of personal interactions with their professors.
10 Best Small Colleges in Minnesota in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best small colleges in Minnesota saw some shifts in rankings. The College of Saint Benedict, for example, was able to gain three ranking positions as the school developed its Experiential Learning Program, which integrates internships, service learning, and global study opportunities into the core curriculum, giving students more hands-on experience. The university also invested in sustainability initiatives, including new green buildings and renewable energy projects that align with environmental stewardship values.
Did you know that you can still qualify for financial aid when attending a small college, as long as the school is fully accredited? Accreditation allows for the largest public colleges and the smallest colleges to be on a level playing field for financial aid. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website.
The following list of the best small colleges in Minnesota is composed mainly of four-year undergraduate schools offering a bachelor’s degree (though a handful also offer graduate programs). We’ve identified 22 small colleges in Minnesota. The list below of the 30 best small colleges in Minnesota. To be included schools must fully accredited, and must have student body populations below 5,000 students.
Best Small Colleges in Minnesota
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Minnesota 2025 #1 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota 2024 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Best Colleges in Minnesota 2024
Other Rankings
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Economics Degree
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #22 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
17%
Graduation
91%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1490/33
Career Outlook for degree at Carleton College
Cost of Degree: $62,634Expenses: $18,716Starting Salary: $67,900Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Carleton College known for?
Carleton College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Earth Sciences
- Anthropology
- Political Science
- Literature
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Biology
- Philosophy
- Chemistry
Most Influential Alumni
- #7 50 Best Christian Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities 2025 #2 Best Christian Colleges Minnesota 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Minnesota 2025 #2 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota 2024
Other Rankings
- #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #3 Best Colleges in Minnesota 2024
- #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees
- #11 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degrees 2025
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #22 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #23 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees
- #23 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
28%
Graduation
88%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1420/32
Career Outlook for degree at Macalester College
Cost of Degree: $62,500Expenses: $16,400Starting Salary: $55,800Cost Recoup Time: 20 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Macalester College known for?
Macalester College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Anthropology
- Political Science
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Economics
- Sociology
- Philosophy
- Biology
- Earth Sciences
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #9 50 Best Christian Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities 2025 #1 Best Christian Colleges Minnesota 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Minnesota 2025 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Tuition + fees
$55K
Acceptance
56%
Graduation
85%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1390/30
Career Outlook for degree at St. Olaf College
Cost of Degree: $54,650Expenses: $14,350Starting Salary: $57,300Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is St. Olaf College known for?
St. Olaf College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #22 50 Best Christian Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities 2025 #3 Best Christian Colleges Minnesota 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Minnesota 2025 #6 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$53K
Acceptance
74%
Graduation
76%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Gustavus Adolphus College
Cost of Degree: $53,030Expenses: $13,090Starting Salary: $58,900Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Gustavus Adolphus College known for?
Gustavus Adolphus College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Literature
- Sociology
- History
- Physics
- Philosophy
- Religious Studies
- Political Science
- Communications
- Chemistry
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Christian Colleges Minnesota 2024 #4 Best Grad Schools in Minnesota 2024 #4 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota 2024 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$47K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
69%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1144/23
Career Outlook for degree at Hamline University
Cost of Degree: $46,616Expenses: $13,133Starting Salary: $55,500Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Hamline University known for?
Hamline University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$52K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
78%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1150/23
Career Outlook for degree at College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University
Cost of Degree: $52,108Expenses: $14,822Starting Salary: $57,000Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University known for?
College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Economics
- Mathematics
- Literature
- History
- Political Science
- Education
- Communications
- Biology
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
58%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Minnesota Morris
Cost of Degree: $14,120Expenses: $12,172Starting Salary: $44,400Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Minnesota Morris known for?
University of Minnesota Morris’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #8 Best Public Colleges in Minnesota 2024 #10 Most Affordable Colleges in Minnesota 2024 #5 Best Online Master's Programs in Minnesota 2024 #6 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
50%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Bemidji State University
Cost of Degree: $10,130Expenses: $13,462Starting Salary: $44,000Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Bemidji State University known for?
Bemidji State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Biology
- Communications
- Literature
- Psychology
- Business
- Computer Science
- Political Science
- Physics
- Economics
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Online Colleges for Students Who Work Part-Time #6 Best Christian Colleges Minnesota 2024 #8 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota 2024
Tuition + fees
$42K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
56%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Augsburg University
Cost of Degree: $42,064Expenses: $15,809Starting Salary: $53,200Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Augsburg University known for?
Augsburg University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Chemistry
- Literature
- Social Work
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Biology
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Best Research Universities in Minnesota 2024 #7 Best Christian Colleges Minnesota 2024 #10 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota 2024 #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in Minnesota 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$48K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
64%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1302/22
Career Outlook for degree at St. Catherine University
Cost of Degree: $37,494Expenses: $13,580Starting Salary: $51,100Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is St. Catherine University known for?
St. Catherine University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Research Universities in Minnesota 2024 #8 Best Christian Colleges Minnesota 2024 #9 Best Online MBA Programs in Minnesota #10 Best Online Master's Programs in Minnesota 2024
Tuition + fees
$41K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
75%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Bethel University
Cost of Degree: $41,270Expenses: $15,600Starting Salary: $52,600Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Bethel University known for?
Bethel University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Philosophy
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Psychology
- Medical
- Mathematics
- Communications
- Literature
- Nursing
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
70%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1163/24
Career Outlook for degree at University of Northwestern – St. Paul
Cost of Degree: $35,340Expenses: $13,704Starting Salary: $43,400Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Northwestern – St. Paul known for?
University of Northwestern – St. Paul’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #9 Best Grad Schools in Minnesota 2024 #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Minnesota #7 Best Online Master's Programs in Minnesota 2024 #8 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota 2024
Tuition + fees
$41K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
65%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Cost of Degree: $41,150Expenses: $13,720Starting Salary: $50,400Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Saint Mary's University of Minnesota known for?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Political Science
- Business
- Philosophy
- Nursing
- Communications
- Education
- Criminal Justice
- Biology
- Physics
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
66%
Graduation
69%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Concordia College
Cost of Degree: $28,916Expenses: $14,480Starting Salary: $49,000Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Concordia College known for?
Concordia College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Physics
- Sociology
- Literature
- Chemistry
- Nursing
- Communications
- Mathematics
- Psychology
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
- #10 Best Public Colleges in Minnesota 2024 #3 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Minnesota #10 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota 2024
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
53%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Minnesota Crookston
Cost of Degree: $13,010Expenses: $12,930Starting Salary: $49,100Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Minnesota Crookston known for?
University of Minnesota Crookston’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
41%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for degree at Southwest Minnesota State University
Cost of Degree: $10,122Expenses: $13,072Starting Salary: $41,400Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Southwest Minnesota State University known for?
Southwest Minnesota State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #6 Best Research Universities in Minnesota 2024 #10 Best Christian Colleges Minnesota 2024 #13 Best Online Doctorate of Physical Therapy Programs (PhDs)
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
67%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at College of St. Scholastica
Cost of Degree: $39,410Expenses: $14,646Starting Salary: $56,000Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is College of St. Scholastica known for?
College of St. Scholastica’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$28K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
59%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at North Central University
Cost of Degree: $28,000Expenses: $14,215Starting Salary: $35,800Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is North Central University known for?
North Central University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Religious Studies
- Social Work
- Computer Science
- Psychology
- Mathematics
- Medical
- Literature
- Communications
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #10 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Computer Science #20 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024
Tuition + fees
$24K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
51%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Concordia University, St. Paul
Cost of Degree: $24,400Expenses: $14,200Starting Salary: $57,100Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Concordia University, St. Paul known for?
Concordia University, St. Paul’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$25K
Acceptance
98%
Graduation
47%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Dunwoody College of Technology
Cost of Degree: $24,611Expenses: $18,286Starting Salary: $53,600Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Dunwoody College of Technology known for?
Dunwoody College of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
58%
Graduation
57%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1140/22
Career Outlook for degree at Bethany Lutheran College
Cost of Degree: $29,010Expenses: $10,920Starting Salary: $37,600Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Bethany Lutheran College known for?
Bethany Lutheran College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Psychology Programs #10 Best Online MBA Programs in Minnesota
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
67%
Graduation
52%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Crown College
Cost of Degree: $29,230Expenses: $16,036Starting Salary: $40,100Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Crown College known for?
Crown College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Minnesota’s Best Small College in Your Area of Interest
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.
- Carleton College
- Macalester College
- University of Minnesota Morris
- St. Olaf College
- Hamline University
- College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University
- Gustavus Adolphus College
- Augsburg University
- Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
- Concordia College
- Bethel University
- St. Catherine University
- Southwest Minnesota State University
- Concordia University, St. Paul
- University of Northwestern – St. Paul
- College of St. Scholastica
- Dunwoody College of Technology
- University of Minnesota Crookston
- Bethany Lutheran College
Many states have great small colleges. If you’re interested in looking into what other states have to offer, check out the best small colleges in Michigan and Maryland.