Best colleges in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area
Colleges within 30 miles of Minneapolis–St. Paul, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area11 schools
11 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Campus within 30 miles of the center of Minneapolis–St. Paul (straight-line distance from the school’s coordinates).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#2 in Minnesota
- Net price $32,149 a year
- 87% graduate
- 2
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN · PublicHonor RollTop 7% for graduation
- Net price $16,778 a year
- 85% graduate
- 3
University of St. Thomas
Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofitTop 12% for earnings
- Net price $29,155 a year
- 76% graduate
- 4
Bethel University
Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofit#7 in Minnesota
- Net price $28,556 a year
- 71% graduate
- 5
University of Northwestern-St. Paul
Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofitTop 24% for graduation
- Net price $27,705 a year
- 68% graduate
- 6
Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis, MN · Private nonprofitTop 22% for low debt
- Net price $26,939 a year
- 66% graduate
- 7
Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, MN · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $26,672 a year
- 45% graduate
- 8
St. Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $19,764 a year
- 61% graduate
- 9
North Central University
Minneapolis, MN · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $25,817 a year
- 66% graduate
- 10
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $20,744 a year
- 60% graduate
- 11
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Minneapolis, MN · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $29,926 a year
- 51% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macalester College | $32,149 | $23,000 | $63,878 | 87% |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | $16,778 | $19,500 | $69,020 | 85% |
| University of St. Thomas | $29,155 | $23,250 | $73,739 | 76% |
| Bethel University | $28,556 | $21,500 | $63,764 | 71% |
| University of Northwestern-St. Paul | $27,705 | $21,325 | $50,755 | 68% |
| Dunwoody College of Technology | $26,939 | $16,000 | $61,511 | 66% |
| Crown College | $26,672 | $22,500 | $48,057 | 45% |
| St. Catherine University | $19,764 | $24,181 | $59,282 | 61% |
| North Central University | $25,817 | $23,200 | $45,064 | 66% |
| Hamline University | $20,744 | $23,770 | $61,106 | 60% |
| Minneapolis College of Art and Design | $29,926 | $27,000 | $40,873 | 51% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.