Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in Minnesota by Acceptance Rate 2026
Carleton College leads this list with a reported acceptance rate of 20.4%. This page ranks only schools with standard reported admissions data.
The hardest Minnesota colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 25
- Cheapest net price
- $8,837
- Top earnings 10y
- $76,786
- Public / Private
- 10 / 15
Carleton College
B- Acceptance
- 20.4%
- Net price
- $25,407
- Earnings 10y
- $75,525
- Acceptance
- 20.4%
Crown College
D- Acceptance
- 22.8%
- Net price
- $26,672
- Earnings 10y
- $48,057
- Acceptance
- 22.8%
Macalester College
D- Acceptance
- 28.5%
- Net price
- $32,149
- Earnings 10y
- $63,878
- Acceptance
- 28.5%
Bethany Lutheran College
C- Acceptance
- 39%
- Net price
- $20,148
- Earnings 10y
- $46,110
- Acceptance
- 39%
St Olaf College
C- Acceptance
- 48.3%
- Net price
- $23,874
- Earnings 10y
- $65,543
- Acceptance
- 48.3%
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
D- Acceptance
- 48.5%
- Net price
- $29,926
- Earnings 10y
- $40,873
- Acceptance
- 48.5%
Bemidji State University
B- Acceptance
- 56%
- Net price
- $15,261
- Earnings 10y
- $53,755
- Acceptance
- 56%
Minnesota State University Moorhead
C- Acceptance
- 58.8%
- Net price
- $17,997
- Earnings 10y
- $50,527
- Acceptance
- 58.8%
Gustavus Adolphus College
C- Acceptance
- 61%
- Net price
- $22,900
- Earnings 10y
- $65,607
- Acceptance
- 61%
Southwest Minnesota State University
B- Acceptance
- 62.2%
- Net price
- $15,291
- Earnings 10y
- $51,342
- Acceptance
- 62.2%
Concordia College at Moorhead
C- Acceptance
- 62.7%
- Net price
- $24,902
- Earnings 10y
- $59,317
- Acceptance
- 62.7%
University of Minnesota-Rochester
A- Acceptance
- 71%
- Net price
- $13,744
- Earnings 10y
- $69,020
- Acceptance
- 71%
University of Minnesota-Morris
A- Acceptance
- 74.9%
- Net price
- $8,837
- Earnings 10y
- $50,919
- Acceptance
- 74.9%
Winona State University
B- Acceptance
- 75.5%
- Net price
- $17,503
- Earnings 10y
- $58,532
- Acceptance
- 75.5%
Concordia University-Saint Paul
B- Acceptance
- 78.9%
- Net price
- $18,462
- Earnings 10y
- $59,871
- Acceptance
- 78.9%
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
B- Acceptance
- 79.8%
- Net price
- $16,778
- Earnings 10y
- $69,020
- Acceptance
- 79.8%
Augsburg University
C- Acceptance
- 82%
- Net price
- $23,873
- Earnings 10y
- $58,829
- Acceptance
- 82%
University of St Thomas
C- Acceptance
- 85.4%
- Net price
- $29,155
- Earnings 10y
- $73,739
- Acceptance
- 85.4%
Martin Luther College
C- Acceptance
- 87.2%
- Net price
- $18,463
- Earnings 10y
- $47,491
- Acceptance
- 87.2%
Hamline University
C- Acceptance
- 87.6%
- Net price
- $20,744
- Earnings 10y
- $61,106
- Acceptance
- 87.6%
Bethel University
C- Acceptance
- 87.8%
- Net price
- $28,556
- Earnings 10y
- $63,764
- Acceptance
- 87.8%
University of Minnesota-Crookston
A- Acceptance
- 87.9%
- Net price
- $12,212
- Earnings 10y
- $58,056
- Acceptance
- 87.9%
Minnesota State University-Mankato
B- Acceptance
- 88.4%
- Net price
- $19,139
- Earnings 10y
- $56,922
- Acceptance
- 88.4%
University of Minnesota-Duluth
B- Acceptance
- 88.8%
- Net price
- $18,743
- Earnings 10y
- $62,616
- Acceptance
- 88.8%
Saint Johns University
B- Acceptance
- 90.6%
- Net price
- $25,672
- Earnings 10y
- $76,786
- Acceptance
- 90.6%
How we picked this list
This list starts with Minnesota colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 7.64 (10 public, 15 private).
Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
Carleton College in Northfield, MN tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 20.4%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many Minnesota colleges are in this list?
35 Minnesota colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?
Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.