10 Best Colleges and Universities Near St, Paul, MN

St. Paul and Minneapolis are the heart of the Twin Cities, a metro area full of fantastic colleges and universities. Discover the top colleges near St. Paul, Minnesota.

St. Paul is the capital city of Minnesota and sits right beside Minneapolis.

Together, these Twin Cities are the center of one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Midwest.

With a population of over 3.6 million people, it's no surprise the area is full of colleges and universities.

Keep reading to discover top colleges near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Featured Colleges In and Near St. Paul, Minnesota

There are nearly 40 colleges and universities in Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. We've featured our top ten programs below in alphabetical order.

1. Augsburg University

Augsburg University is a private Lutheran university in Minneapolis. It primarily offers bachelor's and master's degrees on campus.

Students can earn degrees in areas of study like:

  • Business
  • Education
  • Health Sciences and Nursing
  • Psychology

The university was established in 1869 as a Lutheran seminary. It currently enrolls over 3,000 students, most of which are in undergraduate programs.

2. Carleton College

Carleton College is a private college in Northfield, a city less than an hour south of St. Paul. It offers on-campus bachelor's degrees.

Degrees are available in fields such as:

  • Biological Sciences
  • Math and Statistics
  • Physical Sciences
  • Social Sciences

Carleton College was founded in 1866. Today, it has a student body of just over 2,000 students with a student-teacher ratio of 8:1.

3. Concordia University, St. Paul

Concordia University, St. Paul is a private Lutheran university in St. Paul, Minnesota. It's part of the Concordia University system and offers associate through bachelor's programs on campus and online.

Students can earn degrees in areas of study like:

  • Business
  • Education
  • Health Sciences and Nursing
  • Technology and Computer Science

The university was established in 1893. It currently enrolls over 5,500 students both on campus and online.

4. Hamline University

Hamline University is a private university in St. Paul. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in person and online.

Degrees are available through the following colleges and schools within the university:

  • College of Liberal Arts
  • School of Business
  • School of Education and Leadership

Hamline University is the oldest university in Minnesota. It was founded in 1854 and today enrolls about 2,600 students.

5. Macalester College

Macalester College is a private liberal arts university in St. Paul. It offers bachelor's degree programs on campus and focuses on internationalism and multiculturalism.

Students can earn degrees in fields such as:

  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Foreign Languages, Literature, and Linguistics
  • Science and Technology
  • Social Sciences

The college was established in 1874 and has Scottish roots. It currently enrolls just under 2,200 undergraduate students.

6. Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State University is a public university with buildings across the Twin Cities. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs on campus and online.

Degrees are available in fields such as:

  • Business
  • Computer and Information Sciences
  • Health Professions and Nursing
  • Psychology

Metro State was founded in 1971 with a focus on adult and nontraditional students. Today, it enrolls over 6,200 students, most of them undergrad students.

7. St. Catherine University

St. Catherine University, also known as St. Kate's, is a private Catholic university in St. Paul.

It offers undergraduate programs for women and co-ed associate and graduate programs.

Students can earn their degrees in person or online through the university's four schools:

  • Henrietta Schmoll School of Health Sciences
  • School of Business
  • School of Humanities, Arts, and Sciences
  • School of Nursing

The university was established in 1905 and currently enrolls just under 4,000 students, with its largest demographic being women in undergraduate programs.

8. St. Olaf College

St. Olaf College is a private Lutheran college in Northfield. It offers bachelor's degrees on campus.

Degrees are available in fields such as:

  • Biology
  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences
  • Visual and Performing Arts

St. Olaf College was founded in 1874. Today, it enrolls about 3,000 students and continues to maintain ties to its Norwegian heritage.

9. University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota is a public university with a campus that spans the Twin Cities. It's the flagship institution of the University of Minnesota System.

Students can complete bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs on campus and online in areas of study like:

  • Biological and Health Sciences
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Social Sciences

The university was established in 1851. It currently enrolls nearly 55,000 students, making it one of the largest public universities in the country.

10. University of St. Thomas

The University of St. Thomas is a private Catholic university in St. Paul. It offers associate and bachelor's degrees in person and master's and doctoral programs on campus and online.

Degrees are available in fields such as:

St. Thomas was founded in 1885 as an all-male seminary. Today, it enrolls over 9,000 students, both men and women.

What Is the Biggest School Near St. Paul, Minnesota?

The largest school near St. Paul, Minnesota is the University of Minnesota, with an enrollment of over 55,000 students.

How To Choose the Right College Near St. Paul, Minnesota

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right college near St. Paul, Minnesota. These include:

  • Your intended major
  • The school location
  • Online or on-campus courses
  • Tuition and financial aid

Paying for Your Degree Near St. Paul, Minnesota

Most students pay for their degrees with financial aid like grants, scholarships, student loans, and work-study programs.

To find out what you're eligible for, start by filling out your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).

Start Your Degree Near St. Paul, Minnesota Today

There are many excellent colleges near St. Paul, Minnesota. Check out the featured programs above to find the perfect match for you today!