Minnesota Colleges and Universities

Complete Guide to Higher Education in Minnesota - U of M, Minnesota State & North Star Promise FREE Tuition

270,000

Minnesota State Students

+7.7% growth Fall 2024

41,303

U of M Undergrads

#59 national, 77% acceptance

FREE

North Star Promise

Families <$80k AGI

12,000

Students Benefiting

North Star Promise Fall 2024

🎓 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (Flagship)

U of M Twin Cities

Flagship Test-Optional

Undergraduates: 41,303 (Fall 2024)

Freshman Class: ~7,300 students from 41,000+ applications

Acceptance Rate: 77.03% (2024) - alternative source: 80%

Trend: Sharp increase from 56.6% (2019) to 79.7% (2024)

Rankings: #59 National Universities (U.S. News)

Test Scores (optional): SAT 1320-1470, ACT 26-31 (40% of Class of 2028 submitted)

Yield Rate: 22% (compared to UT-Austin 49%, UGA 42%, Ohio State 22%)

Tuition (2024-25): $17,214 in-state, $38,362 out-of-state (tuition only)

With Fees: $18,482 in-state, $41,368 out-of-state

Recent Changes: 6.5% increase in-state, 7.5% out-of-state for Twin Cities/Rochester campuses

Differential Tuition: Carlson School of Management + CSE: additional $2,900/year

Residency Definition: MN, WI, ND, or Manitoba Canada residents qualify for in-state

🏫 Minnesota State (26 Community/Technical + 7 State Universities)

Minnesota State System

Total Enrollment: 270,000 students (approximately)

Fall 2024 Growth: +7.7% credit headcount enrollment (system-wide)

2023 Growth: +2.3% (first increase after over a decade of declines)

Structure: 26 community and technical colleges + 7 state universities

Growth Leader: Technical colleges saw double-digit growth

First-Year Enrollment: +3% undergraduate first-year students (Fall 2024)

North Star Impact: Nearly 12,000 students benefiting Fall 2024

7 State Universities:

  • Bemidji State University
  • Metropolitan State University
  • Minnesota State University, Mankato
  • Minnesota State University Moorhead
  • St. Cloud State University
  • Southwest Minnesota State University
  • Winona State University

Sample Community & Technical Colleges (26 Total):

  • Minneapolis Community & Technical College
  • Normandale Community College
  • Minnesota North College
  • Saint Paul College
  • Hennepin Technical College
  • Northland Community & Technical College
  • Anoka-Ramsey Community College
  • Central Lakes College
  • Century College
  • Dakota County Technical College
  • Inver Hills Community College
  • Lake Superior College

🏛️ Elite Private Liberal Arts Colleges

Carleton College

Most Selective

Location: Northfield, MN

Acceptance: 22.28% (2023-24)

Status: Tightest admissions in Minnesota

Macalester College

Location: St. Paul, MN

Acceptance: 28.21% (2023-24)

Status: Second lowest acceptance in Minnesota

St. Olaf College

Location: Northfield, MN

Acceptance: 52.15% (2024)

Status: Least selective of three

💰 North Star Promise - FREE Tuition (New Fall 2024)

North Star Promise Scholarship

Last-Dollar

Launch: Fall 2024

Students Benefiting: Nearly 12,000 students (Fall 2024 preliminary data)

Coverage: FREE tuition and fees at eligible Minnesota institutions

Income Limit: Family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) below $80,000

Age Limit: None - open to students of all ages

Student Type: New and returning students

Previous Degree: Must not have previously earned bachelor's degree

Eligible Institutions:

  • All Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (26 community/technical + 7 state universities)
  • All University of Minnesota campuses
  • All Tribal Colleges in Minnesota

How It Works:

  • Last-Dollar Program: Covers balance of tuition and fees remaining after other scholarships, grants, stipends and waivers
  • Application: No additional application beyond FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act Application
  • Assessment: College assesses eligibility term-by-term and automatically awards to eligible students
Impact on Enrollment: Major driver of 7.7% system-wide enrollment increase Fall 2024, with technical colleges seeing double-digit growth

🎓 Minnesota State Grant Program

Minnesota State Grant

Eligibility:

  • Secondary school graduates or equivalent, or at least 17 years old
  • Enrolled at least 3 credits at eligible Minnesota institution (130+ schools)
  • Meet Minnesota Resident criteria (dependents: graduated MN high school; independents: 12 months MN residency)
  • Not in default on student loan or >30 days behind on child support
  • Not attended 8 full-time semesters of postsecondary education or equivalent
  • Based on Federal Pell Grant eligibility and FAFSA results

Application: Complete FAFSA or MN Dream Act application (for non-FAFSA eligible)

2024-25 Funding Shortfall: Due to funding shortfall, students who completed FAFSA on/after December 1, 2024 will NOT receive MN State Grant funds during 2024-25 school year. No funding available Summer 2025 for any student.

💲 Minnesota Tuition Comparison (2024-25)

Institution In-State Out-of-State
Minnesota State + U of M (<$80k AGI) FREE with North Star Promise
U of M Twin Cities $17,214 (tuition only)
$18,482 (with fees)		 $38,362 (tuition only)
$41,368 (with fees)
U of M Differential (Carlson/CSE) +$2,900/year additional

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Minnesota has University of Minnesota system (41,303 undergrads Twin Cities, #59 national), Minnesota State (270,000 students: 26 community/technical + 7 state universities, +7.7% growth), elite private liberal arts (Carleton 22.28%, Macalester 28.21%, St. Olaf 52.15%), and Tribal colleges.
Yes! North Star Promise (launched Fall 2024) provides FREE tuition and fees for families with AGI <$80,000 at all Minnesota State colleges/universities, all U of M campuses, and Tribal colleges. No age limit. Nearly 12,000 students benefiting Fall 2024. Last-dollar program (covers balance after other aid). Apply via FAFSA or MN Dream Act.
U of M Twin Cities has 77% acceptance rate (2024), up sharply from 56.6% (2019). Test-optional: 40% of Class of 2028 submitted scores. Mid-50%: SAT 1320-1470, ACT 26-31. Freshman class ~7,300 from 41,000+ applications. Tuition $18,482 in-state, $41,368 out-of-state (with fees). MN/WI/ND/Manitoba residents qualify for in-state.
North Star Promise (Fall 2024) provides FREE tuition and fees for Minnesota residents with family AGI <$80,000. No age limit, no bachelor's degree. Covers Minnesota State (26 community/technical + 7 state universities), all U of M campuses, Tribal colleges. Last-dollar (after other aid). Nearly 12,000 students benefiting Fall 2024. Apply via FAFSA.
Carleton College is most selective at 22.28% acceptance (tightest in Minnesota, Northfield). Macalester College: 28.21% acceptance (second lowest, St. Paul). St. Olaf College: 52.15% acceptance (least selective of three, Northfield). All three are highly-regarded liberal arts colleges with competitive admissions.
Yes! Minnesota State enrollment grew +7.7% Fall 2024 (system-wide), following +2.3% in 2023 (first increase after decade+ of declines). Total: 270,000 students. Technical colleges saw double-digit growth. First-year undergrads: +3%. Driven by North Star Promise (12,000 students benefiting) providing FREE tuition for families <$80k AGI.
Due to funding shortfall, students who completed FAFSA on/after December 1, 2024 will NOT receive MN State Grant funds during 2024-25 school year. No funding available Summer 2025 for any student. However, North Star Promise (launched Fall 2024) provides FREE tuition for families <$80k AGI at Minnesota State, U of M, and Tribal colleges.

Last updated on November 24, 2025