First-generation students

Of all undergraduate students enrolled at Minnesota Private Colleges, 20 percent are “first-generation” students, meaning that neither of their parents completed college.

Students of color and Native American students

Excluding international students, 13,600 students of color and Native American students enroll at our member institutions. The share of domestic undergraduates who are students of color and Native American are:

  • 34 percent at Minnesota State Community and Technical Colleges
  • 28 percent of all undergrads at Minnesota Private Colleges
  • 28 percent of all undergrads at the University of Minnesota
  • 23 percent of all undergrads at Minnesota State Universities

Our students reflect Minnesota: Enrollment of new first-year students of color and Native American students at Minnesota Private Colleges has mirrored the demographics of Minnesota high school graduates.

Share of Minnesota Private Colleges’ First-year Students and Minnesota High School Graduates who were Students of Color and Native American Students, Fall 2012 to Fall 2022

The four-year graduation rate of students of color and Native American students is also the highest in the state and higher than the averages for both publics and nonprofits nationwide.

  • 57 percent at Minnesota Private Colleges
  • 55 percent at University of Minnesota
  • 16 percent at Minnesota State universities
  • 47 percent at private nonprofit colleges nationwide
  • 35 percent at public institutions nationwide

Looking at students of color and Native American students who earn bachelor’s degrees from Minnesota institutions, 29 percent do so at our institutions. And 49 percent students of color and Native American students who earn master’s degrees in Minnesota do so at our institutions.

Our colleges have the highest number of Black and Latino students completing their bachelor’s degree in four years in the state.

Women in STEM fields

At our member institutions, 51 percent of our graduates with bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields are women. That's compared to 39 percent at the University of Minnesota and 33 percent at Minnesota State universities.

International students

More than 2,700 international undergraduate students study at our colleges and universities each year.