Online Degrees In Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota is consistently ranked among the best states for business, but as industries grow and jobs are added, there’s growing concern over who may fill them. It’s predicted that by 2020, Minnesota may need 74 percent of its workforce to have at least some college education. Though the current rate of 54 percent is high, it’s certainly not high enough to fill what experts are predicting could be an unprecedented shortfall of adequately educated workers, which is why the state has set forth a goal of having 70 percent of its adults ages 25-44 possess postsecondary credentials by 2025.

There’s never been a better time to explore online degree programs in Minnesota. Lawmakers have recently made huge investments in education, boosting funding for public colleges and universities to expand their offerings, online and on campus; boost technology infrastructure; and increase grant funding. Currently, 101 of Minnesota’s colleges and universities offer online courses.

Online degrees in Minnesota open up options to prospective students juggling work and family obligations or living in underserved rural areas by enabling students to complete their studies from anywhere with an internet connection, at times that work with any schedule.

Plus, online programs are more affordable, on average, than traditional programs (with savings ranging from $12 to $66 per credit hour), and they tend to lead to higher incomes. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (MOHE) reported that in 2015, among Minnesotans ages 25 and older, the median income with only a high school diploma was $31,311 per year. That increased to $36,845 with some college or an associate degree; and increased to $51,601 with a bachelor’s degree.

Top Online Colleges in Minnesota

Whether you’re a graduating high school senior or an adult in the workforce looking to complete a degree or enhance your skills, you’ll have a unique set of requirements that online degree programs in Minnesota may need to meet. To assist in your search, we’ve put together this list of the top 10 Minnesota colleges that offer online degree programs, factoring in criteria such as number of online programs, level of student support, tuition and more.

Top Online Degree Programs in Minnesota

The quantity and popularity of online degree programs can often indicate where the greatest job growth and employer demand is in the state. The following are currently the top online degree programs in Minnesota, according to National Center for Education Statistics data.

Quality of Online Education in Minnesota

Students considering online degrees in Minnesota should know that the state has a strong commitment to online course quality. It has a statewide subscription to Quality Matters, which provides professional development, a set of rubrics and a course peer review process to ensure quality and continuous improvement in its online and blended courses. This subscription extends to the entire Minnesota State College and University System, the University of Minnesota and the Department of Education.

The state also participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), a compact among states that establishes national standards for the interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs.

Additionally, some schools within the state have stepped up to ensure a greater level of quality and engagement in the online student experience. Distance Minnesota is an online higher education consortium of four member schools — Alexandria Technical and Community College, Northland Community and Technical College, Northwest Technical College and Bemidji State University — whose mission is to provide a satisfying, effective, affordable online college experience. As part of fulfilling this mission, members can provide a deep level of support with registration, books and materials, career exploration, technical assistance, enhancement of learner success, improved connections between programs and career goals, and much more.

What to Look for in Online Degree Programs in Minnesota

Of course quality is essential in any program you consider, but your unique needs and goals must also be taken into consideration. Where do you start?

Begin by determining whether any school of interest is accredited. Accreditation is a voluntary process that requires rigorous self-examination and an independent, objective peer review of its educational quality. Plus, the federal government, states, and institutions require it for financial aid awards and recognition of degrees.

Next, look at your prospective schools and ask yourself these questions, suggested by the National Council for SARA:

• What are your academic and professional goals, and will this program meet them?
• What does the program expect of you, with regard to your commitment of time and activities, and can you fulfill those expectations?
• What is it like being a student in this program, and does that fit with your style of learning and the constraints of your schedule?
• Does the school provide the student support services you expect and need?
• What does the program cost?
• What are your financial aid options?
• What technology is required of you?
• How does the school help to ensure positive outcomes for graduates?

Top Occupations in Minnesota

What occupations are experiencing the greatest demand and job growth? Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the following are the top occupations in Minnesota.

Top Metropolitan Areas in Minnesota

Minnesota has more job vacancies than unemployed workers in both Greater Minnesota and the Metro Areas in June 2019 according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Construction, federal government, and arts, entertainment, and recreation industries are expected to see the fastest job growth in Minnesota. Students considering online degrees in Minnesota may want to consider the fastest growing occupations and industries by location before choosing a program.

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington: The Twin Cities metro area is the largest employing area in Minnesota with its population and employment growth both outpacing that of the state. The largest employers by industry are health care and social assistance and manufacturing and retail. This is reflected in the fact that the most popular college majors in the area are registered nursing and business administration and management. However, when it comes to earnings, the utilities industry is the highest paying followed by the management of companies.

St. Cloud: St. Cloud’s central location has meant that it has strong commercial connections with other cities in the state and beyond. The construction industry is a strong contributor to its job growth with construction employment rising 19.1 percent in the year leading up to January 2019. The healthcare and social assistance industry is the largest in the region; the most common jobs held by individuals living in the area include office and administrative support occupations, sales and related occupations, and production occupations. It is also home to several high tech companies like Netgain, GeoComm, Microbiologics, and Capital One.

Rochester: The birthplace of the world famous Mayo Clinic, Rochester is among the top 100 places to live in the United States according to Livability. It’s no surprise then that it had the highest population growth. Its economy is growing faster than any other metropolitan area in the state with jobs in the health care and educational services sector making up 40 percent of the Rochester job market. Employers are looking for skilled workers in diverse areas in bids to expand their businesses, offering various incentives to attract new talent.

Scholarships and Financial Aid in Minnesota

The commitment by state leaders to encourage adults to return to, and complete, college has led to the creation of several scholarship and grant programs. In 2018, $1 million in scholarships were made available to help adult students who started, but never finished, their college educations. It was part of a four-year pilot program by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and Minnesota State called MN Reconnect. An estimated 500 students completing certificate, diploma or associate degree programs would each receive a scholarship of up to $3,000 over the four years.

Additionally, students may have access to other sources of educational funding. Here’s a small sample:

Minnesota State Grant: helps cover educational expenses (up to $11,812, depending on need and tuition) for students from low- to moderate-income families attending eligible Minnesota institutions.

Minnesota Teacher Shortage Loan Repayment Program: As a result of a severe teacher shortage in Minnesota, this program was designed to encourage teachers to teach in the state. Licensed teachers employed in local school districts who meet eligibility requirements may receive up to $5,000 in total loan repayment assistance.

Scholarship Listing

Tests You May Need To Take

Minnesota doesn’t typically have a statewide requirement for entrance exams in order to apply to its colleges and universities. The MOHE says that the most commonly taken college entrance exam is the ACT, which was taken by 61,253 students in 2018. You should consult your individual school and program to determine whether you need to submit ACT, SAT or other test scores as part of your admissions package.