Types of Minnesota Schools

One step in planning your education is to learn more about the types of post-secondary institutions in Minnesota. In this section you can find descriptions of:

Public post-secondary schools such as as two-year community and technical colleges and four-year universities.
Private post-secondary schools such as private colleges and universities and private career/vocational schools.
Private graduate and professional schools such as private schools offering only Master's Degrees, Doctorates, Juris Doctor, Medical Doctor awards.

Public post-secondary schools

In Minnesota, the public post-secondary schools are the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the University of Minnesota.

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 colleges and universities, including 25 two-year colleges and seven state universities.

Consult MnTransfer for additional information on credit transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

Community Colleges

Community colleges are two-year colleges that enable you to start on a bachelor's degree. You can take your first two years at a community college then transfer to a four-year university to finish. Or you can take a career program leading directly to a job.

Technical Colleges

Technical colleges are two-year state colleges that teach knowledge and skills leading to specific careers. You can complete a program in two years or less and be ready for a job.

Combined Community and Technical Colleges

Combined community and technical colleges enable you to start on a bachelor's degree and transfer after two years, or you can enroll in a technical program to learn skills that lead directly to a career.

View a list of public community and technical colleges in Minnesota.

State Universities

State universities are four-year institutions offering bachelor's, master's and advanced degrees. Most offer on-campus housing and a full range of student activities.

View a list of public universities in Minnesota.

University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota has four campuses�Twin Cities, Duluth, Morris, and Crookston�a collaborative center in Rochester, extension offices, and research and outreach centers throughout the state. It is considered to be one of the most comprehensive public universities in the United States and ranks among the most prestigious. It is both the state land-grant university, with a strong tradition of education and public service, and the state's primary research university, with faculty of national and international reputation.

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Private post-secondary schools

In Minnesota, the private post-secondary schools are: private colleges and universities, private career schools, and graduate and professional schools.

Private Colleges and Universities

This type of school offers courses and programs leading to bachelor, master's and advanced degrees. There are many different types of private colleges and universities, ranging from residential liberal arts colleges to universities offering graduate and professional programs. Some institutions are "for profit" and some "not for profit". Some are affiliated with a religious denomination.

View a list of private colleges and universities in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Private College Council represents 17 of Minnesota's nonprofit private liberal arts colleges.

Private Career Schools

Minnesota has a vast amount of private career schools. Most schools provide education and training in a single career. These include business, technical, and cosmetology schools. The focus is on the development of job skills with training programs that generally range in length from a few months to two years, although some of these schools have four year programs.

View a list of private career/vocational schools in Minnesota.

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Private Graduate and Professional Schools

Several private post-secondary institutions in the state of Minnesota offer only graduate and professional education. These institutions enroll students who have already earned a bachelor level degree and who wish to attain advanced education. The graduate and professional education programs offered range from the study of law to allied health professions.

View a list of private professional schools/graduate schools in Minnesota.

Page last updated in February 2008.