Online learning is becoming more accessible, and there are a wealth of accredited online colleges in Minnesota. In fact, according to data from the Distance Education State Almanac 2017, the percentage of Minnesota college students that took all their classes through an online learning program<\/a> was nearly double the national average even before the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article will go over everything prospective students need to know about online schools in Minnesota, a state with many accessible and affordable schools. This includes everything from tuition rates to degree requirements, accreditation, advanced degrees, and everything else that will help you in your search for the best virtual schools in Minnesota.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accredited online colleges<\/a> receive accreditation from third-party agencies, based on a set of general standards. Accreditation exists for schools from the elementary education level to the graduate level. There are two types of accreditation, regional accreditation and national accreditation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regional accreditation is done by regulatory bodies that preside over certain regions of the country. There are six such bodies in the US. These are the HLC, the MSCHE, the NECHE, the NWCCU, the SACSCOC, and the WSCUC. The Higher Learning Commission, or HLC, presides over Minnesota.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regional accreditation usually focuses on non-profit schools with a focus on academic teaching and research. This could be any private school or a public institution that offers postsecondary education within the region the accrediting body oversees. Regional accreditation is often more well-received and well-established than national accreditation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n National accreditation agencies serve the entire country and even a few institutions outside of it. They mainly focus on for-profit schools or those more focused on vocational learning or career training than research and academia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to this, some national accreditation agencies also accredit specific programs and individual courses within a college or institution. This is an indication that the program meets the standards set by those in that field. Program-specific accreditation is usually only offered to institutions that are already fully accredited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accreditation is important for college because it allows for a universal standard that transcends a single institution or program. This allows for credits to count at other schools in the case of a transfer or when graduates apply for graduate studies. It can also affect career opportunities. This is very important for those taking online courses to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accreditation is more than just a matter of transferring credits. It is also a sign that a school offers good education. While accreditation is not directly done by government agencies, accreditation agencies are themselves accredited by the government. Each one represents a baseline standard that every institution must meet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find out whether an online college in Minnesota is accredited by checking accreditation records. School rankings don\u2019t usually include information on accreditation, so to find accredited colleges in the area you will need to check the official databases of the Department of Education or the HLC. This section below further explains how to find accredited online colleges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The US Department of Education has a Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs<\/a> (DAPIP). This database contains both institutional and program-based accreditation records. This works best if you have a school in mind that you want to ascertain the status of before filling out an application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To use DAPIP, type in the name of the school you\u2019re looking for and hit search. Go through the results of the school search, then find and click on the name of the school you have in mind. The next page will display the accreditation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Minnesota and most surrounding states are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission<\/a>, as specified by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The agency\u2019s online platform has a database of all accredited colleges in the state, including those that employ a physical, online, or hybrid program.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFully Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota: Two Types of Accreditation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Regionally Accredited Online Colleges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nationally Accredited Online Colleges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why Is Accreditation Important for College?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Find an Accredited Online College in Minnesota<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Check the US Department of Education\u2019s Database<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Search for Colleges on the Regional Accrediting Agency\u2019s Website<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
| Ranking<\/th>\n | Online College<\/th>\n | Accreditation<\/th>\n | Graduation Rate<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1<\/td>\n | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities <\/td>\n | Higher Learning Commission (regional)<\/td>\n | 80%<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n |
| 2<\/td>\n | Bethel University<\/td>\n | Higher Learning Commission (regional)<\/td>\n | 71%<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n |
| 3<\/td>\n | Winona State University<\/td>\n | Higher Learning Commission (regional)<\/td>\n | 65%<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n |
| 4<\/td>\n | Concordia University-Saint Paul<\/td>\n | Higher Learning Commission (regional)<\/td>\n | 62%<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n |
| 5<\/td>\n | Metropolitan State University<\/td>\n | Higher Learning Commission (regional)<\/td>\n | 57%<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n |
| 6<\/td>\n | Crown College<\/td>\n | Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation (national) Higher Learning Commission (regional)<\/td>\n | 55%<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n |
| 7<\/td>\n | Bemidji State University<\/td>\n | Higher Learning Commission (regional)<\/td>\n | 50%<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n |
| 8<\/td>\n | Saint Cloud State University<\/td>\n | Higher Learning Commission (regional)<\/td>\n | 50%<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n |
| 9<\/td>\n | Southwest Minnesota State University<\/td>\n | Higher Learning Commission (regional)<\/td>\n | 49%<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n |
| 10<\/td>\n | Walden University<\/td>\n | Higher Learning Commission (regional)<\/td>\n | 27%<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n How We Ranked the Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWe ranked the best accredited online colleges in Minnesota by looking at the graduation rates of various institutions that offer fully online degree programs. The information in the table above comes from the schools\u2019 official websites, the US Department of Education\u2019s database of accredited schools, and the US Department of Education\u2019s College Scorecard tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best Accredited Online Colleges in Minnesota: Deep Dive<\/h2>\n\n\n\nThis section expands on what the schools in the table above have to offer online learners. These school profiles cover details like tuition costs, student outcomes, whether or not online learners need to attend certain campus classes, the best academic programs, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n \r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n |