Transfer Admissions Guarantee, Minnesota Private Colleges

For students who have completed an Associate of Arts (AA) degree and the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC), admission is guaranteed at the 12 participating Minnesota Private Colleges — given students have met all eligibility criteria for a select institution and the institution has available capacity within the intended major.* To receive guaranteed admission students will need to:

  • Complete the application process (specific to the institution) — with no application fee required.
  • Meet cumulative GPA requirement (see table below)
  • Have official transcripts sent from all previous post-secondary institutions
  • AA degree and MnTC must be noted on final official transcript

Benefits for students:

  • Students will know early on that they’ll be guaranteed a path forward to earn their bachelor’s degree at our institutions — creating more certainty.
  • Students will know the required GPA before transferring for their intended institution.
  • Students are able to plan for specific coursework for their intended major. 
  • MnTC is accepted as a block to meet general education requirements. (Individual institutions may require courses specific to their mission that do not result in additional time spent toward degree completion.)
  • All 60 credits accepted if each course meets minimum 2.0 GPA.

In addition, students who have completed transfer pathways at a Minnesota community college will find several of these are accepted at Minnesota Private Colleges, as are listed on our transfer pathways page. These pathway plans allow students to see clearly how they’ll be able to complete their intended majors, including seeing how lower division major courses are accepted.

Please contact transfer counselors at institutions you are interested in to learn more.

* Majors that require internship or clinical hours, including nursing, are not included in this program. The guarantee of admission does apply to traditional and non-traditional undergraduate programs at these institutions.

Participating Minnesota private colleges & universities

All institutions require a completed application and official transcripts from previously attended institutions.

InstitutionApplication deadlineCumulative GPA required / GPA per courseAdd'l application materials requiredNotes
Augsburg UniversityFall: Early Priority, March 15; Priority, June 15; Final, Aug. 1

Spring: Priority, Nov. 1; Final, Dec. 1

2.0/1.7NoAccepts AA from outside Minnesota
Bethany Lutheran CollegeFall term: July 1

Spring term: Dec. 1

2.5/2.0YesAA degrees and MnTC credits accepted
Bethel UniversityFall: Aug. 14

Spring: Jan. 15

2.8/2.0YesMnTC accepted with or without AA degree
College of Saint BenedictFall: April 1
Spring: Dec. 1
2.75/2.0
(Some majors require higher GPA)
Yes (for some majors)MnTC accepted with or without an AA degree
The College of St. ScholasticaFall: Rolling admission

Spring: Rolling admission

2.0/1.7
(Some majors require higher GPA)
Yes (for some majors)MnTC accepted with or without an AA degree. St. Scholastica does not accept vocational or technical credit.
Concordia College, MoorheadFall: Aug. 15

Spring: Dec. 15

2.75/2.0NoAccepts AA from outside Minnesota
Concordia University, St. PaulFall: Aug. 1

Spring: Dec. 1

2.0/2.0NoIncludes AA, AS, & AAS degrees as well as completion of the MnTC
Hamline UniversityFall: Early Action, March 15; Regular Decision, Aug.1

Spring: Early Action, Nov. 15; Regular Decision, Jan. 10

2.5/2.0YesMnTC accepted with or without AA degree
Saint John’s UniversityFall: April 1
Spring: Dec. 1
2.75/2.0
(Some majors require higher GPA)
Yes (for some majors)MnTC accepted with or without an AA degree
Saint Mary’s University of MinnesotaFall: Rolling admission

Spring: Rolling admission

2.0/1.7YesAccepts AA from outside Minnesota
St. Catherine UniversityFall: Rolling admission

Spring: Rolling admission

2.5/2.0Yes (for some majors)Accepts AA from outside Minnesota

MnTC Accepted with or without an AA degree

University of St. ThomasFall: Rolling admission

Spring: Rolling admission

3.0/1.7Yes (Accepts unofficial transcripts to complete an admissions application. All official transcripts will need to be submitted before the first day of classes.)Accepts AA degrees from Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin

MnTC Accepted with or without an AA degree

Individuals who have been convicted of a felony should investigate the impact that the conviction may have on their chances of employment in the field they intend to study or on their chances to obtain federal, state and other higher education financial aid. Review of any felony conviction may be required prior to admission.

We encourage all students to contact their intended four-year institution early in the process to answer questions about course selections, major requirements, the application process and scholarships.