Best Community Colleges in Minnesota of 2023

With campuses in Albert Lea, Austin, and Owatonna, Riverland Community College serves approximately 4,900 students annually throughout southeastern Minnesota. Founded over 80 years ago, RCC offers degrees, certificates, and diplomas in a variety of subject areas. Career clusters at RCC include programs in Agricultural & Food Sciences, Farm Business Management, Fine Arts, Healthcare, Information Technology, and more. Whether students are interested in up-to-date career preparation or are looking to eventually transfer to a four-year university, RCC is dedicated to instilling in its students the core values of ethical and civic responsibility, human diversity, global perspectives, and critical thinking.

Minnesota North College is a collection of established campuses that, until recently, operated as individual educational institutions. In May 2022, these colleges were joined together under the name Minnesota North College to seamlessly serve students throughout northern Minnesota. Students can seek certificates, diplomas, or degrees in 15 fields of study. MNC offers a unique scholarship opportunity for women who are interested in careers like STEM and criminal justice where women are traditionally underrepresented. Under the EMPOWER grant, women interested in certain careers in engineering, law enforcement, criminal justice, or mechanics can receive assistance for tuition, loan forgiveness, transportation, childcare, and more.

Ridgewater College has two campuses in the cities of Willmar and Hutchinson that serve approximately 5,500 students in McLeod and Kandiyohi Counties. Areas of study at Ridgewater include Agriculture & Veterinary Technology, Cosmetology & Massage Therapy, Occupational Skills, and more. Ridgewater’s basic needs and academic resources provide a multitude of programs to ensure all students have the opportunity to be successful. There are many on-campus activities to keep students involved, including theater productions, free movie showings, and live music. For students who are interested in studying abroad, Ridgewater College offers an opportunity for students to study in Scotland while earning credit toward their degree.

Minnesota State Community and Technical College has four physical campus locations: Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead, and Wadena. With over 70 choices of career and liberal arts programs, M State enrolls more than 7,000 students every year. Of these 70 programs, 25 are offered partly or entirely online. M State’s vision for “a success story for every student” is demonstrated in their flexible offerings. For example, M State offers late start classes for students who miss enrollment deadlines. These late start terms allow students to begin their degree or certification program without further delays.

Normandale Community College, a two-year public college based in the city of Bloomington, serves students in the southwestern Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Enrolling nearly 15,000 students a year, NCC is the largest junior college in the state of Minnesota. Normandale’s customized training department and internship programs allow students to receive professional training and development in their fields with hands-on instruction. Renowned for the beautiful Japanese garden on campus and the roster of public events, NCC is dedicated to serving the Bloomington community. Offering a variety of personal wellness courses, Normandale’s Integrative Health Education Center provides continuing education for those interested in skills such as stress management, nutrition, or tai chi.

Located in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College serves students interested in transferring to a four-year university or receiving technical training and certification. The college offers over 90 programs, many of which are available online. LSC is known for being one of the most affordable community colleges in the state. In-state students could pay as little as $166 per credit hour and may be eligible for various scholarship opportunities to offset these already inexpensive costs. Because of the college’s location in the Lake Superior Watershed, LSC offers many programs that are devoted to fostering sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Dakota County Technical College is a two-year community college serving students in Dakota County inside the Minneapolis-St. Paul region. The Rosemount campus is one of only five stand-alone community colleges in the state of Minnesota. DCTC aims to be a student-centered organization that provides up-to-date technological training and service-learning opportunities to thousands of students every year. During their time at DCTC, students will receive mentoring in career exploration and professional preparation to ensure their course selections match their individual goals. DCTC is also dedicated to ensuring their campus is accessible to nontraditional students like seniors, veterans, and working parents. For example, senior citizens can take courses at DCTC for just $20 per credit or they can audit a course for free.

Nestled in the premier recreational area of Minnesota, Central Lakes College (CLC) is a comprehensive community and technical college with campuses in Brainerd and Staples, MN. CLC offers a wide range of pathways in both liberal arts/transfer and technical education programs. Numerous student clubs, organizations, sports, and activities are available with an active Student Senate body on each campus. Students receive a four-year college experience at the two-year college price. CLC is a leader in offering online classes, with more than 250 options available each academic year.

Alexandria Technical & Community College is a public college in Douglas County that enrolls approximately 3,500 students each year. More than half of all students enroll at Alexandria Tech part time, reflecting the school’s emphasis on providing education to working and nontraditional students. Students can choose between over 50 degree and certification programs. Associate degrees offered at ATCC include Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science, and Associate of Arts degrees. Alexandria Tech offers many transfer pathways in Liberal Arts & Sciences as well as certification programs in subjects like Early Childhood Education, Law Enforcement Skills, and Retail Management.

Northland Community and Technical College has two campuses located in the cities of Thief River Falls and East Grand Forks. Serving over 4,000 students, NCTC offers more than 80 courses of study, including programs in Information Technology, Building Trades, and Education. Many of NCTC’s programs are available online, including their Liberal Arts & Transfer programs. NCTC’s dedicated Aerospace Center at the Thief River Falls location offers specialized programs in aviation and aerospace technologies. Students at the Aerospace Center can earn an Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology or Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Technician in addition to various professional certifications in aerospace mechanics and engineering.