Skip to Main Content

2020 Top Public Universities in MinnesotaAbout this List

The Top Public Universities ranking is based on rigorous analysis of academic, admissions, financial, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along for millions of reviews from students and alumni. The ranking compares over 500 public colleges and state universities. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 12 of 12
Best Colleges
12 results

Best Programs

Students

Social Scene

Campus

Athletics

  1. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

    • 4 Year
    • Minneapolis, MN
    • 4,192 reviews
    #1 Top Public Universities in Minnesota

    Alum: I loved attending University of Minnesota. It had everything that I wanted to study and that was a lot! During my time there, I studied American Indian studies as well as Ojibwe language, Spanish, and Portuguese. I also studied Psychology and receive my Masters degree in Social Work. Since University of Minnesota has one of the largest study aboard programs in the country, I was able to study abroad 3 times and really hone my Spanish and Portuguese speaking skills. I also loved living on campus. The Twin Cities have a lot to do and it is exciting to live in such progressive city!
    Read 4,192 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 50% Acceptance Rate
    • $16,808 Net Price
    • 1270-1480 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  2. University of Minnesota - Crookston

    • 4 Year
    • Crookston, MN
    • 152 reviews
    #2 Top Public Universities in Minnesota

    Freshman: Very nice campus, great teachers, and wonderful learning experience overall! I really enjoy going to school in Crookston, and the teachers and other staff are very welcoming and helpful with anything I need. There are lots of activities on campus to get involved in and great clubs they offer to meet new people and get a little more out of the college experience.
    Read 152 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 69% Acceptance Rate
    • $13,962 Net Price
    • 960-1140 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  3. University of Minnesota Duluth

    • 4 Year
    • Duluth, MN
    • 1,049 reviews
    #3 Top Public Universities in Minnesota

    Freshman: I love this school! I love that we get to walk everywhere in the entire building completely inside because it's all connected, that way we don't have to experience the freezing outdoors. Also, all of the teachers are taught by the teachers themselves, no graduate student teachers, or teaching assistants, it's always a professor. I also really like the community, it is very welcoming and liberal, right away I felt like I belonged.
    Read 1,049 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 77% Acceptance Rate
    • $16,381 Net Price
    • 1050-1280 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  4. University of Minnesota - Morris

    • 4 Year
    • Morris, MN
    • 417 reviews
    #4 Top Public Universities in Minnesota

    Freshman: Smaller sized campus. Friendly staff and students. Focuses on being real rather than trying to define the status queue. Located an a small, quaint town, about an hour from regular civilization and Walmart.
    Read 417 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 64% Acceptance Rate
    • $11,472 Net Price
    • 1150-1390 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  5. Winona State University

    • 4 Year
    • Winona, MN
    • 861 reviews
    #5 Top Public Universities in Minnesota

    Alum: I loved Winona State University's beautiful campus! I also loved that there were no streets going through campus. The campus is in a great location in town, nesstled between downtown and a beautiful lake with a paved walking path around it. The stunning rolling hill bluffs around the city are a sight to see when the leaves change in fall! Don't forget to visit Garvin Heights when you first roll in town town and enjoy a breath taking overlook of Winona, the river, and the surrounding hills!
    Read 861 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 66% Acceptance Rate
    • $16,678 Net Price
    • 1040-1330 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  6. Minnesota State University, Mankato

    • 4 Year
    • Mankato, MN
    • 1,077 reviews
    #6 Top Public Universities in Minnesota

    Sophomore: When I think about Minnesota State University, Mankato, I think of my home away from home. The campus is incredibly modern with incorporated touches of the school's history. The school offers so many clubs and activities that it is hard to be bored. From watching football games Saturday's to the school's theatre department show Sunday's, it is always a great time. Not only is the social aspect of it good, but the academics. They have ranked major programs that have incredibly staff who are not only knowledgeable about what they teach, but are also passionate. With this passion there is always staff and professors willing to help when it is needed. MNSU is a great place. A home away from home!
    Read 1,077 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 61% Acceptance Rate
    • $13,704 Net Price
    • 886-1106 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  7. Minnesota State University Moorhead

    • 4 Year
    • Moorhead, MN
    • 730 reviews

    Senior: I love both the classroom size and the professor involvement. My advisor has not only helped me every step along the way, but she was a crucial part of why I wanted to get my human resource minor! She is open and honest about each class, and has helped me to lay out my schedule in advance in the best way possible. I am able to have such a good relationship with her because of the size of the school!
    Read 730 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 60% Acceptance Rate
    • $15,541 Net Price
    • 930-1180 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  8. Metropolitan State University - Minnesota

    • 4 Year
    • Saint Paul, MN
    • 434 reviews

    Senior: I am a returning student at Metro State. All the staff and faculty are VERY helpful. Anytime I have questions, whether it be email, call, etc, they respond almost immediately. They are patient and understanding when you are entering or re-entering into the school community. Whether you are starting your college career or a returning student, they are "on the ball" and assist you graciously with all the "moving parts" of the process. When considering re-entering school after ten years of absence, I did not want to even consider attending another school. I have always had great teachers and a comfortable classroom setting. Metro State is MY school and I feel extremely comfortable there. I also really like the student presence in their staffing. Metro State has a great variety of courses that appeases to many learning styles.
    Read 434 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 56% Acceptance Rate
    • $13,954 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  9. Bemidji State University

    • 4 Year
    • Bemidji, MN
    • 522 reviews

    Freshman: I am basing this on my orientation and my first week of school. The three words I can think of is I Love it here. Very welcoming, organized, awesome atmosphere, the city is beautiful and I love the outdoors.

    That’s about all I can say since I’ve only been here for almost a week now!
    Go Beavers!
    Read 522 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 66% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,653 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  12. Southwest Minnesota State University

    • 4 Year
    • Marshall, MN
    • 294 reviews

    Alum: This public school has a lot going for it, if you are looking for a solid education, good facilities, and smaller size to create student connections. Like many schools, the quality of education is what you put into it and very affordable. There are some top notch professors here, authors, scientists, etc. and they will spend to help you learn. The facilities for students are very nice and connected to shield students from the weather in the winter. There are a number of non-traditional students at the campus. The school has a nice planetarium, a beautiful performance theater, quality athletic facilities, a nice education center, library, dorms and good science labs. Because it is a state school in a rural area with not as much to do, there is some college partying and some people may not like the location. These were not disappointing or disruptive factors for me.
    Read 294 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 62% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,854 Net Price
    • 765-1075 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  13. St. Cloud State University

    • 4 Year
    • Saint Cloud, MN
    • 1,101 reviews

    Junior: Coming to St. Cloud has been such a great experience for me. It was a little bit of a shock coming from a different state and not not knowing anyone here. Luckily "Minnesota Nice" is really a thing, I made friends within my first few hours on campus and haven't had a problem since. The small classes are extremely helpful in terms of learning and being able to get to know your professor and peers around you. The buildings are well kept and the school does an excellent job at keeping you involved. On St Cloud's campus they are always doing farmers market, barbecues, raffles, special late night events just for students, sporting events and so much more. There is always something going on, on campus! And even if you miss it, they do a great job of advertising for the next upcoming events. GO Huskies!
    Read 1,101 Reviews

    • C+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 86% Acceptance Rate
    • $13,684 Net Price
    • 960-1190 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  14. University of Minnesota - Rochester

    • 4 Year
    • Rochester, MN
    • 158 reviews

    Senior: I love the classroom style! The focus is on group work where you learn together and try to solve problems rather than attending a lecture and taking notes. Classrooms always have more than one teacher in them so students can get more individualized help and different view points from different teachers. Sometimes, classrooms will have teachers from different departments all teaching one topic (for example, a math teacher, a psych teacher, and a chemistry teacher all talking about the distributions of Skittles flavors, the recognition of Skittles and their flavors, and the sour acids in the Skittles respectively).
    Read 158 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 51% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,329 Net Price
    • 1230-1410 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
  15. Sponsored

    College of the Holy Cross

    • 4 Year
    • Worcester, MA
    • 512 reviews

    Junior: Holy Cross has been an incredible experience for me. The school does hold up to being quite rigorous academically but it is so rewarding. There are so many resources for students to succeed. Every employee is so kind and does everything they can to make sure that I have everything I need. As a first-generation student and student of color, I was a bit nervous about different challenges I might face at the college but the college has served as such a great support system. Everyone here wants you to succeed and to be happy. Very expensive sticker price but the school works very very closely with all families to meet 100% of demonstrated need and make getting a college education a reality. Highly recommend.
    Read 512 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 40% Acceptance Rate
    • $27,005 Net Price
    • 1230-1370 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
  16. Find College Scholarships