Private colleges can be a lot more affordable than you may think.

On average, our students end up paying only about half of the full tuition price. That's possible because of the financial aid that most students receive. If you family is like 94% of the families at our institutions, your tuition bill will be reduced by financial aid that you will never have to pay back.

Minnesota's Private Colleges offer more than $374 million in institutional grants and scholarships. That figure has been growing rapidly, far faster than tuition itself, as colleges do their best to make sure you can afford to attend.

Graduation rates

When you're considering the cost of college, think about whether you're likely to graduate on time. No one plans to take six years, but it happens. And if it does, beyond more tuition you'll also lose out from having to wait to start earning money in the field of your choice.

You're much more likely to graduate on time at one of Minnesota's private colleges; our four-year graduation rate of 65% is far higher than the rates for Minnesota's public systems. Credit personalized attention and student support for the difference. And remember that comparing college costs is more complicated than just looking at listed prices.

Value of investment

Think about the quality of the education you'll receive. How will the choice you make help you start a career — and advance it later? And how will it impact you in other ways? The knowledge and skills gained at Minnesota's private colleges are exactly what employers seek. When our alumni are asked about the amount they and their families paid for college, 97% say it was worth it.

More information

How much aid you can receive is something that becomes clear during a student's senior year, when financial aid has been calculated. But you can get some earlier estimates and advice, including from financial aid calculators and admission and financial aid offices at any of our institutions.