Explore our 18 private nonprofit colleges and you’re bound to find a great fit. Each one is distinct. Do you want 700 or 6,000 fellow students? To be five minutes or five hours from home? To live in a small town, a regional center or the Twin Cities? What do you want to find on your campus — from a drumline to rock climbing? And with Minnesota private colleges’ 160 majors and minors, are there any that are must-have options for you?

As you search for what’s best for you, know that our colleges all focus on the student experience, building on that to provide an outstanding education. And they all work to be affordable — so don’t rule out our colleges before you learn more about financial aid.

Augsburg University

An Augsburg education is focused on promoting active citizenship, developing a global perspective, seeking understanding through a living faith, and exploring meaningful work.

Bethany Lutheran College

Offering 25+ academic majors, Bethany aspires to provide a personalized education to students in a Christ-centered environment.

Bethel University

For generations, Bethel's fusion of evangelical faith with top-ranked academics has transformed women and men, preparing them for unique callings in the kingdom of God.

Carleton College

Best known for academic excellence and its welcoming campus community, Carleton College offers majors in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.

College of Saint Benedict

Saint Benedict is liberal arts colleges whose unique partnership with Saint John's University offers the educational choices of a large university and the individual attention of a small college.

The College of St. Scholastica

Shaped by the Catholic Benedictine heritage, St. Scholastica provides intellectual and moral preparation for responsible living and meaningful work.

Concordia College, Moorhead

Concordia's academic reputation includes distinction in the sciences and the Offutt School of Business as well as a world-class music program and strong athletics.

Concordia University, St. Paul

Concordia University, St. Paul is a comprehensive liberal arts university that delivers academic programs designed to respond to marketplace needs by teaching relevant skills and abilities that employers seek.

Gustavus Adolphus College

Gustavus, a private, residential, church-related, liberal arts college of Swedish heritage, provides an undergraduate education of recognized excellence.

Hamline University

Deeply rooted in justice, civic responsibility and Methodist values, Hamline prepares students to think critically, develop a worldly perspective and become creative problem solvers for the future.

Macalester College

Macalester students come from across the country and around the world for a top-ranked academic program and a community where ideas and intellectual curiosity matter.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD)

Minneapolis College of Art and Design students learn technical and professional skills, both traditional and cutting-edge, and develop the creative, intellectual and leadership skills to get noticed and to become successful.

Saint John’s University

Saint John's is liberal arts colleges whose unique partnership with the College of Saint Benedict offers the educational choices of a large university and the individual attention of a small college.

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Saint Mary’s, a Lasallian Catholic institution, understands there are many paths to earning your degree and offers undergraduate, graduate and professional program.

St. Catherine University

St. Kate's goes beyond a liberal arts education to instill the wisdom, social justice and women’s empowerment teachings of our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

St. Olaf College

St. Olaf is a place where strong traditions, like intellectual curiosity, academic rigor, a commitment to service and a global perspective come together with an abiding interest in questions of faith.

University of Northwestern – St. Paul

Northwestern provides Christ-centered higher education equipping students to grow intellectually and spiritually, to serve effectively in their professions and to give God-honoring leadership.

University of St. Thomas

St. Thomas offers its students an appealing mix of academic pursuits, cultural events and volunteer activities and offers a thriving community for active minds.

Find your college match

Use our interactive search tool to match your academic, sports and fine arts interests to the colleges that offer them.

Campus locations

Discover where our 18 colleges and universities are located around the state of Minnesota as you explore your options or plan a visit.