10 Most Affordable Online Colleges in Minnesota 2025

Students can find affordable online education in Minnesota. Programs include degrees from the associate to doctoral level that can be completed fully through remote coursework.

Online education opens doors to learners looking for flexible and affordable degrees. College students in Minnesota can find accredited degrees from top online colleges. The most affordable online colleges offer various programs with low tuition rates that allow learners to get closer to their career goals without incurring large amounts of student debt.

Online learners can pursue undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, and degree completion programs from the cheapest colleges in Minnesota without paying the tuition costs or adhering to the strict schedule of on-campus learning.

List of the Cheapest & Most Affordable Online Colleges in Minnesota

Minnesota-based students can attend some of the least expensive colleges in the state and throughout the country to earn accredited degrees through online courses, including some of the most affordable online colleges. These schools offer different academic programs and online students should look at multiple schools to make sure they find the best degree programs for their goals.

1. University of Minnesota Online

The University of Minnesota offers 139 online academic programs, including degrees, licenses, and certifications, as well as individual courses through Coursera. Most of these programs are fully online, but some healthcare-related graduate programs have in-person components on campus in locations such as Crookston, Duluth, and The Twin Cities.

The University of Minnesota's programs are at the top of the rankings for affordability for both in-state and out-of-state students. Individual rates vary from program to program since they're coordinated through different campuses, which each set their own rates. However, all campus locations offer generous scholarship programs and other forms of financial aid to help students reduce the costs of their higher education.

2. Martin Luther College

Martin Luther College primarily offers online master's degrees in education and theology. Students in MLC's Master of Science in education program can choose from multiple concentrations, including educational technology, instruction, leadership, and special education. All online programs at Martin Luther College have Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation.

Graduate degree tuition costs at MLC are $350 per credit hour for both Minnesota residents and out-of-state students. MLC accepts the FAFSA, and students have additional opportunities to obtain scholarships, grants, and participate in work-study programs to help reduce and cover costs.

3. Minnesota State University Mankato

Online students at Minnesota State University Mankato can enroll in both degree and degree completion programs. These degree completion programs provide opportunities for community college graduates to bring credits from their associate degree into a bachelor's degree program.

In addition to these undergraduate degree completion programs, MSUM students can pursue graduate-level online learning in degree programs such as communication, educational technology, and sports management.

Full-time students (12-18 credit hours) pay a flat rate of $4,177.50 per term, while part-time students (one-11 credit hours) pay $326.70 per credit. MSUM offers financial aid programs for students like grants, scholarships, work-study, and tuition waivers for school employees.

4. Crown College

Crown College offers multiple online undergraduate and graduate degrees with general accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, as well as specialized accreditations from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Online students can pursue degrees in theology, business administration, psychology, and more.

Online undergraduate students pay $530 per credit hour, while graduate students pay a rate of $635 for most degrees or $665 for an MBA. Crown College has multiple financial aid programs specifically designed for online students, as well as accepting federal aid like the Pell Grant.

5. Capella University

Capella University is headquartered in Minneapolis, but it offers accredited undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees nationwide. All of Capella's degrees are offered through two different formats: self-paced and traditional. Each has varying tuition rates, ranging from $2,500 to $3,370. Capella has a tuition cap and no-cost gen eds that keep costs lower for students.

Four-year degrees are available in subjects such as business, information technology, and social work. Graduate degree options include counseling, education, and nursing opportunities.

6. Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University offers 13 different fully online undergraduate degrees. Full-time enrollment qualifies students for a flat rate tuition of $4,497. All students, regardless of residency, qualify for this in-state tuition rate. Bemidji State also has agreements with many other Minnesota colleges to offer no-application admission for visiting students to complete single online courses.

Some of the degree choices include business administration (with concentrations such as human resources management, finance, and more), nursing, and sociology. Some of these degrees do require certain transfer credits to satisfy lab science or similar requirements.

7. Minnesota State University Moorhead

Students at Minnesota State University Moorhead can enroll in over 90 online certifications, and undergraduate and graduate degrees; these span subjects such as biology, digital media management, social work, and more.

MSU Moorhead offers in-state tuition for all, where all U.S. citizens receive the same tuition rates. Undergraduate students pay $294.59 per credit hour while graduate students pay anywhere from $533.71 to $746.07, depending on the program.

MSUM is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, but there are additional program accreditations from organizations such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International, the Council on Social Work Education, and many more.

8. St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud University offers nine undergraduate programs and 16 graduate degrees online. These Higher Learning Commission-accredited degrees cover software engineering, applied clinical research, curriculum and instruction, and more.

St. Cloud State University has multiple tuition rates based on residency. Students in Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Manitoba all receive in-state tuition and pay $341.22 per credit hour on undergraduate degrees. Students in South Dakota pay a slightly higher rate of $360.90.

SCSU also offers a special rate of $511.83 per credit for residents of Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio ?all other U.S. residents pay a rate of $733.86.

9. Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers 14 undergraduate and five graduate degree programs. Learners can choose from subjects such as nursing, management, criminal justice, and more.

All online programs are taught by the same faculty as the on-campus courses. Metro State University has some of the lowest tuition rates in Minnesota with undergraduate degrees costing $285.70 per credit hour. Graduate degrees only cost $523.85 per credit hour.

Metro State offers multiple financial aid programs to reduce costs, including grants and scholarships. Students can also take prior learning exams to receive credits without having to retake classes.

10. Concordia University

Concordia University offers degrees from two-year associates up to doctoral programs. These Higher Learning Commission-accredited programs include child development, human resources management, education, and more.

Concordia has multiple scholarship opportunities available based on different factors, including transfer scholarships from partner universities. Undergraduate degrees at CU cost around $420 per credit hour, while graduate programs vary based on individual programs.

Our Selection Criteria

We used a strict methodology to pick not only the most affordable colleges but also some of the best online colleges in Minnesota.

Affordability: Our main criteria was selecting schools with tuition rates of around $500 per credit after financial aid has been applied.
Accreditation: We only selected accredited programs. This guarantees that your degree will meet educational standards and can lead to graduate programs and career advancement.
Diverse Degree Options: We highlighted colleges that have multiple degree types and fields of study. Some schools have specializations, like theology and education, but we still picked schools with at least three fully online degree options.

How Much Does a Cheap College in Minnesota Cost?

The actual cost of an affordable college will vary on several factors, primarily whether the school is public or private. An undergraduate program at a public school in Minnesota costs around $11,000 yearly on average, while private schools cost around $32,000.

How Can I Make an Online Degree Affordable?

To make an online degree more affordable, start by searching for online degree programs that align with your budget. Prioritize programs with reasonable tuition fees that don't compromise on quality.

Choose fully online degree programs over blended options. Blended programs might entail in-person meetings, incurring additional expenses for travel and accommodations. Online students can often access financial aid similar to on-campus students. Contact your chosen university to explore available financial aid options, which may involve assessing your financial situation and considering factors like income, savings, and investments. Financial aid can significantly reduce your educational expenses.

Some institutions offer merit-based scholarships based on academic achievements. These scholarships serve as incentives and typically don't require separate applications. A strong academic record increases your chances of receiving these awards.

If you don't qualify for financial aid or scholarships, investigate student loans. Student loans often feature favorable terms and customized repayment schedules that align with your post-graduation circumstances.

Learn more below on how to make an online degree more affordable:

FAQs About the Cheapest Online Colleges in Minnesota

Prospective online learners throughout Minnesota often have questions about affordable online colleges, including how hard they are to enroll in, if they have accreditation, and what financial aid is available.

What Is the Cheapest Online College in Minnesota?

Many factors come into play to determine the cheapest online college in Minnesota. Individual schools have different tuition rates based on particular degrees and degree levels. Additionally, the amount of financial aid a student qualifies for can drastically alter the total costs associated with education.

Are Cheap Online Colleges in Minnesota Accredited?

Yes, cheap online colleges are also accredited institutions. All of the colleges in this list have national accreditation, and many have additional accreditations from industry-leading groups related to the major.

What Is the Easiest Online College To Get into in Minnesota?

Capella University, based in Minneapolis, has a 100% acceptance rate because of its open admissions policy. As long as students meet minimum requirements they will be admitted.

What Financial Aid Is Available for Affordable Online Bachelor's Degree Programs?

There are multiple types of financial aid available ranging from institutional to federal aid. All of the colleges in this list accept FAFSA and federal financial aid, but most also offer their own programs that are only available to admitted students, including scholarships and grants.

Find Accredited Online Programs Today

Students across the North Star State can find accredited online degree programs offered by in-state colleges. Use our school profiles to learn more about the degree options available to you. Then, when you've identified the best schools for your goals, use our resources to reach out and start your application process today.