Best Community Colleges in Minnesota. Minnesota is a state that has a lot to offer for students who want to pursue higher education. Whether you are looking for a career change, a skill upgrade, or a transfer pathway to a four-year college or university, you can find a community college that suits your needs and goals. Community colleges are public institutions that offer two-year associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas in various fields of study. They are also known for their affordability, accessibility, and quality, as they often have lower tuition and fees than four-year institutions, provide flexible schedules and online courses, and have accredited programs and qualified faculty.
But with so many community colleges to choose from in Minnesota, how do you decide which one is the best for you? There are many factors to consider, such as the programs offered, the graduation and transfer rates, the student services, the location, and the reputation of the school. To help you with your decision, we have compiled a list of the best 10 community colleges in Minnesota based on various sources and criteria. Here are our top picks:
1. Alexandria Technical & Community College
Alexandria Technical & Community College (ATCC) is located in Alexandria, a city in central Minnesota that is known for its lakes and outdoor recreation. ATCC offers over 50 programs in areas such as business, health, law enforcement, manufacturing, transportation, and liberal arts. ATCC is also recognized for its high graduation and placement rates, as well as its strong partnerships with local employers and industries. ATCC has a student population of about 2,500.
2. Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) is a multi-campus institution that serves over 5,700 students across four locations: Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead, and Wadena. M State offers more than 70 programs in fields such as agriculture, business, education, health care, information technology, liberal arts, and trades. M State also has online and hybrid courses that allow students to complete their degrees from anywhere.
3. Dakota County Technical College
Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) is situated in Rosemount, a suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul. DCTC offers over 50 programs in areas such as automotive technology, business management, computer networking, graphic design, health sciences, human services, and photography. DCTC also has a variety of student clubs and organizations, as well as athletic teams that compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). DCTC has a student population of about 2, 300.
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4. Lake Superior College
Lake Superior College (LSC) is located in Duluth, a city on the shore of Lake Superior. LSC offers over 90 programs in fields such as aviation, engineering, fire technology, nursing, paralegal studies, radiologic technology, and welding. LSC also has an honors program that provides academic challenges and opportunities for high-achieving students. LSC has a student population of about 4, 700.
Century College is based in White Bear Lake, another suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Century College offers over 100 programs in areas such as accounting, art history, biotechnology, criminal justice, dental hygiene, environmental science, and music. Century College also has a transfer curriculum that prepares students for admission to four-year colleges and universities. Century College has a student population of about 8, 200.
6. Normandale Community College
Normandale Community College is located in Bloomington, a city near Minneapolis-St. Paul. Normandale Community College offers over 50 programs in areas such as anthropology, chemistry, economics, French, mathematics, philosophy, and sociology. Normandale Community College also has an international education program that allows students to study abroad in countries such as China, France, Germany, Japan, and Spain. Normandale Community College has a student population of about 9, 500.
7. North Hennepin Community College
North Hennepin Community College is situated in Brooklyn Park, a city north of Minneapolis-St. Paul. North Hennepin Community College offers over 60 programs in fields such as biology, communication studies, engineering technology, human services, nursing assistant training, psychology, and theatre arts. North Hennepin Community College also has a center for innovation and the arts that hosts cultural events and performances for the community. North Hennepin Community College has a student population of about 6, 000.
8. Riverland Community College
Riverland Community College is a multi-campus institution that serves over 3, 700 students across three locations: Albert Lea, Austin, and Owatonna. Riverland Community College offers over 80 programs in areas such as agriculture, cosmetology, education, healthcare management, information technology, liberal arts, and welding. Riverland Community College also has online and hybrid courses that allow students to complete their degrees from anywhere.
9. Rochester Community and Technical College
Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) is located in Rochester, a city in southeastern Minnesota that is home to the Mayo Clinic. RCTC offers over 70 programs in fields such as dental hygiene, emergency medical services, horticulture, mechatronics, nursing, radiography, and veterinary technology. RCTC also has a honors program that provides academic challenges and opportunities for high-achieving students. RCTC has a student population of about 5, 200.
10. Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) is a multi-campus institution that serves over 8,000 students across two locations: Coon Rapids and Cambridge. ARCC offers over 100 programs in areas such as biology, business, computer science, music, nursing, physics, and theatre. ARCC also has a transfer curriculum that prepares students for admission to four-year colleges and universities.
Conclusion
These are just some of the best community colleges in Minnesota that you can consider for your educational goals. Of course, there are many other factors that you should take into account when choosing a school, such as your personal preferences, interests, and budget. You can use online tools like [Bing] to search for more information about these schools or other community colleges in Minnesota. You can also visit their websites or contact their admissions offices to learn more about their programs, requirements, and application processes.
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We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
What are the benefits of attending a community college in Minnesota?
Some of the benefits are lower tuition and fees than four-year colleges and universities, flexible schedules and online courses, transferable credits to other institutions, and career-oriented programs.
How much does it cost to attend a community college in Minnesota?
The average tuition and fees for public two-year colleges in Minnesota are $5,790 per year for in-state students and $6,980 per year for out-of-state students.
How can I apply to a community college in Minnesota?
The application process may vary depending on the school and the program you are interested in. However, some common steps are filling out an online application form, submitting your high school transcripts or GED scores, taking a placement test or submitting your ACT or SAT scores, and paying an application fee.
What are some of the best four-year colleges and universities in Minnesota that accept community college credits?
Some of the best four-year colleges and universities in Minnesota that have articulation agreements with community colleges are the University of Minnesota system, the Minnesota State system, the College of St. Scholastica, and Concordia University-St. Paul.
What are some of the best online community colleges in Minnesota?
Some of the best online community colleges in Minnesota are Normandale Community College, North Hennepin Community College, Riverland Community College, and Rochester Community and Technical College.
