Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in Minnesota 2025

Online learning is a great way for busy students to earn their bachelor's degrees. Not only are these courses flexible, but they also give you greater access to educational options. For example, if you live in rural Minnesota, you have the option to study online through a school based in the Twin Cities.

The cost of higher education is often a stressor, but there are plenty of affordable bachelor's degrees online. Keep reading to discover affordable online bachelor's degree programs in Minnesota.

How Much Does an Online Bachelor's Degree Cost in Minnesota?

All schools listed that offer online bachelor's degrees in Minnesota charge less than $550 per credit hour. However, the specific school you choose will have a large impact on your tuition rate. While public schools usually have the cheapest online bachelor's degrees, costs can vary.

Another thing that will impact your costs is the financial aid you qualify for. For example, in Minnesota, residents with a family-adjusted gross income (AGI) under $80,000 can attend a public in-state school for free through the North Star Promise.

All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year to find out what they qualify for. There are many cheap online colleges that accept FAFSA, making college even more affordable.

Cheapest Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in Minnesota

While online bachelor's degrees in Minnesota are generally affordable, some schools offer even more affordable tuition than others. Below, we've featured the most affordable online bachelor's degrees in Minnesota.

1. Winona State University

Winona State University is a public institution in Winona, MN. It offers several online bachelor's degrees in fields like business administration, elementary education, healthcare leadership, and human resources management.

In-state tuition at Winona State is $277.40 per credit. Out-of-state tuition breaks down like so:

• Wisconsin residents: $296.09 per credit
• North Dakota residents: $309.10 per credit
• South Dakota residents; $310.70 per credit
• Students from all other states: $503.60 per credit

Students in the online business degree completion programs pay in-state tuition regardless of their state of residency.

Average in-state tuition: $296.09 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $503.60 per credit

Financial aid: Winona State accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, accepts private aid, and participates in the North Star Promise.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Metropolitan State University

At Metropolitan State University, students can earn several Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees through online learning. Areas of study include criminal justice, health system studies, nursing, and organizational administration.

Metro State is a public university located in Saint Paul, MN. It charges all students, no matter where they live, $285.70 per credit hour.

Average in-state tuition: $285.70 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $285.70 per credit

Financial aid: Metro State offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA, like the North Star Promise, and through private sources.

Accreditation: HLC

3. Minnesota State University Moorhead

Minnesota State University Moorhead offers several online bachelor's degrees. MSUM is a public institution in Moorhead, MN.

Undergraduate degrees are available online in fields like business administration, digital media management, early childhood education, and healthcare leadership. The tuition rate at MSUM is $294.59 for all students.

Average in-state tuition: $294.59 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $294.59 per credit

Financial aid: MSUM offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA, the North Star Promise, and private aid.

Accreditation: HLC

4. Southwest Minnesota State University

Around 20 online bachelor's degrees are available from Southwest Minnesota State University. Areas of study include agribusiness management, elementary education, professional writing, and social work.

SMSU, located in Marshall, MN, is a public university. It charges students from all states $305 per credit for online bachelor's degrees.

Average in-state tuition: $305 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $305 per credit

Financial aid: SMSU accepts aid through FAFSA, like the North Star Promise, and through private programs. It also offers institutional aid.

Accreditation: HLC

5. Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University is a public institution in Bemidji, MN. It offers online bachelor's degrees in fields like business administration, criminal justice, geography, and psychology.

Tuition at Bemidji State is $313.55 per credit hour. This rate is for Minnesota residents as well as residents of other states.

Average in-state tuition: $313.55 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $313.55 per credit

Financial aid: Bemidji State accepts aid through FAFSA, including the North Star Promise, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.

Accreditation: HLC

6. St. Cloud State University

Students at St. Cloud State University can find several online programs at the bachelor's degree level. Areas of study include communications, land surveying, nursing, and software engineering.

SCSU, a public university, is located in St. Cloud, MN. Tuition breaks down as follows:

• Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin residents: $341.22 per credit
• South Dakota residents: $360.90 per credit
• Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio residents: $511.83 per credit
• All other states: $733.86 per credit

Average in-state tuition: $341.22 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $733.86 per credit

Financial aid: SCSU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA, like the North Star Promise, and through private sources.

Accreditation: HLC

7. Minnesota State University, Mankato

Minnesota State University, Mankato offers a handful of online bachelor's programs. MNSU is a public institution in Mankato, MN.

Areas of study for online bachelor's degrees include business, communication, education, and nursing. Tuition is $367.90 per credit hour, regardless of the student's state of residence.

Average in-state tuition: $367.90 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $367.90 per credit

Financial aid: MNSU offers institutional aid, accepts aid through FAFSA like the North Star Promise, and accepts private aid.

Accreditation: HLC

8. North Central University

A few bachelor's degrees are available through online education at North Central University. Areas of study include business administration, humanitarian leadership, and religious studies.

North Central University, located in Minneapolis, is a private Christian school. It charges a tuition rate of $395 per credit for online undergraduate programs.

Average in-state tuition: $395 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $395 per credit

Financial aid: North Central University accepts FAFSA and private aid. It also offers institutional aid.

Accreditation: HLC

9. Concordia University, St. Paul

Concordia University, St. Paul is a private Christian institution in Saint Paul, MN. It offers over a dozen online bachelor's degrees in fields like business administration, child development, computer science, and healthcare administration.

Tuition at CSP is $420 per credit hour. Several scholarships are available to help students pay for their online classes.

Average in-state tuition: $420 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $420 per credit

Financial aid: CSP accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.

Accreditation: HLC

10. College of St. Scholastica

Through the College of St. Scholastica, students can choose from several online bachelor's degrees. Areas of study include business, computer science, healthcare, and social work.

This private Catholic university is located in Duluth, MN. Tuition is $426 per credit hour for online undergraduate programs.

Average in-state tuition: $426 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $426 per credit

Financial aid: CSS offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the schools listed above, we focused on public and nonprofit private Minnesota institutions that met the following criteria:

• Accreditation: Every school on this list is regionally accredited.
• Affordability: All the universities above offer the lowest tuition options in the state.
• Program reputation and quality: Because these schools are accredited and not-for-profit, we can verify that they offer reputable degree programs both on campus and online.
• Online format: Every school offers at least five bachelor's degree programs that can be completed through online courses.

FAQs About the Cheapest Bachelor's Degrees in Minnesota

Minnesota has some great options for affordable online bachelor's programs. Below, we've answered some FAQs about these programs.

What Is the Cheapest Online Bachelor's Degree in Minnesota?

Without taking financial aid into consideration, the cheapest online bachelor's programs come from Winona State University, at $277.40 per credit hour.

However, if you qualify for the North Star Promise, your bachelor's degree will be free at any public university in Minnesota. This includes the University of Minnesota, which offers online degrees through its Crookston campus.

You can also look at online colleges that accept the Pell Grant, a type of federal grant. Both public and private schools in Minnesota accept the Pell Grant.

What Is the Cheapest Way To Get a Bachelor's Degree?

In Minnesota, there are several cheap ways to get a bachelor's degree. In addition to filling out the FAFSA to qualify for the Pell Grant, North Star Promise, and other financial aid options, there are other ways to lower your costs.

High school students can earn college credit during their junior and senior years through programs like Advanced Placement (AP) classes and Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO). These allow you to take college-level coursework for free.

If you've already graduated or want to reduce your costs further, consider earning an associate degree at a community college. Community colleges are often less expensive than four-year institutions.

Once you have some college credits, look for online colleges that accept transfer credits. Then, you'll follow a bachelor's degree completion pathway to earn your degree.

Is Online College Worth It?

For many students, online college is worth it. Having a bachelor's degree can open many doors, and learning online is often far more convenient than learning in person.

It's understandable that many online learners are worried about the cost of school, especially as so many students have student loan debt. Choosing an affordable online college, filing your FAFSA, and applying for scholarships for online students can help significantly reduce your costs.

What Other Fees Should I Expect for an Online Bachelor's Degree?

Fees for online programs vary between schools. Some charge a small fee for online learning, while others don't but still charge some administrative fees. Additionally, some colleges, but not all, waive traditional on-campus fees for online students. You can usually find a list of fees on the school's website.

Note that fees often don't include other expenses, like textbooks, supplies, and housing. If you're concerned about additional fees and costs, reach out to your financial aid office or look for online colleges with tuition payment plans.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees

Start your path to reaching your career goals by exploring the affordable online degrees featured on Learn.org. Contact individual online schools to learn more about tuition and financial aid.