Minnesota is an economic beacon in the Midwest. The state is known for its strong and diverse economy, including 17 Fortune 500 companies. The state’s estimated population in 2017 was just over 5.3 million, with the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area alone home to roughly 3.5 million. Rochester to the south and Duluth in the northeast are other significant metropolitan areas in the state.
By completing an online MBA, Minnesota students can take advantage of all the state’s robust economy has to offer. There are seven MBA programs in Minnesota, and most allow students to take all or many of their classes online. These factors make the Gopher State an ideal place to earn an advanced degree in business.
When researching online MBA programs in Minnesota, you may notice considerable differences in tuition rates. This depends on a variety of factors, including if you can pay in-state tuition. The average cost of attendance at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, for example, is $26,719 per year for a state resident, but more than $36,000 for an out-of-state resident. This can make a big difference in the ultimate cost of your graduate degree. Some online MBA programs, such as the one at Saint Mary’s University, charge the same tuition rate no matter where a student resides. The type of institution you attend will also affect the cost of your Minnesota online MBA program. Large public colleges and universities tend to charge lower rates than their smaller, private counterparts.
There are seven MBA programs in Minnesota, and most allow students to take all or many of their classes online.
Another factor to consider is how much time (if any) you’ll need to spend on campus. If you can complete your program entirely online, you may save significant costs on transportation, housing, and childcare. While most Minnesota online MBA programs require you to submit GMAT scores with your application, they may provide waivers if you have significant management experience or have received formal training beyond a bachelor’s degree.
Percentage of Students Enrolled by Distance Education |
---|
MBA Concentrations for Minnesota Students
Minnesota is known for its robust and diverse economy across many different industries. According to the state’s TDepartment of Employment and Economic Development, the healthcare, biosciences, agriculture, manufacturing, finance, and renewable energy sectors are particularly strong. Students who opt to focus their studies in certain areas when completing their Minnesota online MBA program can capitalize on the industries with the greatest potential for growth.
- Healthcare Administration: This concentration focuses on the business and operational side of healthcare. It prepares students to serve in high-level administrative roles within health systems, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and long-term care facilities.
- Sustainability : By concentrating in sustainability, Minnesota online MBA students can help forward-looking companies become more energy efficient and environmentally responsible in their operations. Students learn about climate change, environmental regulations, and natural capital.
Accreditation in Minnesota
One key factor in your search for online MBA programs in Minnesota is each school’s accreditation status. Accreditation signifies whether a school offers quality educational programming to its students. The regional accreditation body for Minnesota institutions is the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. Some online schools and programs may be nationally accredited through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. Regional accreditation is more prestigious than national accreditation.
Thanks to its business-friendly environment and well-educated workforce, Minnesota has one of the most productive economies in the nation. The state is home to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, a leading force in Minnesota’s incredibly strong healthcare and education services sector. The state also a leader in the biosciences, agriculture, manufacturing, and renewable energy industries. As of September 2017, the state’s unemployment rate was at 3.7%, a few points below the national rate of 4.4%. While the Twin Cities metropolitan area by far has the most number of jobs, there are also numerous employment opportunities in the smaller metro areas of Duluth and Rochester.
If you graduate from one of the widely respected online MBA programs in Minnesota, you will find a variety of options working for organizations that range in size from small startups to large Fortune 500 companies. An online MBA in Minnesota also gives you the opportunity to earn a higher salary and move into management positions within various businesses and organizations. Below are a few of the largest employers in the state of Minnesota.
Top Employers in Minnesota
Company | Industry | Headquarters City | Number of Employees |
---|---|---|---|
Mayo Clinic | Healthcare | Rochester | 39,518 |
State of Minnesota | Government | St. Paul | 37,180 |
Graduates from an online MBA program in Minnesota may qualify for a range of positions that would be much less accessible with an associate or bachelor’s degree alone. Getting an MBA also puts you in a strong position to move up within an organization, enabling you to compete for management-level positions and the higher salaries that come with them. Business professionals with an MBA often make tens of thousands of dollars more per year than those without a master’s degree. They also tend to have greater responsibilities and potential for exceptional career growth.
Average Salary by Degree |
---|
Careers for MBAs in Minnesota
- Top Executives
Executives oversee entire departments or businesses, often serving as the leader of teams of hundreds or thousands of people. They appoint department heads, negotiate contracts, make key financial decisions, and develop strategies and goals for an organization.
- Health Services Manager
Also known as healthcare administrators or executives, these professionals oversee the delivery of medical services in many different settings. Health service managers may work at hospitals, insurance companies, large clinics, or the headquarters of healthcare systems.
- Finance Director
These professionals oversee the financial health of a business or organization, analyzing data from forecasts, budgets, business reports, and financial statements. They may also look for ways to reduce costs and attain greater profit margins.
- Administrative Services Manager
These senior-level managers oversee departments and facilities. They establish strategies and set goals for various teams within an organization. These managers tend to focus on processes, looking for ways to improve operational efficiencies and ensure the regulatory compliance of all facilities.
- Marketing and Advertising Manager
Responsible for overseeing marketing, public relations, and advertising campaigns, these managers help ensure the growth of businesses and organizations. They also are involved in budgeting, negotiating contracts, hiring staff, and developing pricing strategies.
Below you will find a list of the best online MBA programs in Minnesota. These programs are fully accredited and available through reputable colleges and universities statewide. They all offer the flexibility and accelerated pace that come with distance learning. Browse this list to determine your options as you look to advance your education in the field of business.
Rank | School | Location | Cost | Toggle | Logo | Tuition | % Receiving Financial Aid | Student Population | School Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bemidji State University |
Location Bemidji, MN | Tuition |
![]() |
Tuition $18,000 | % Receiving Financial Aid 61% | Student Population 5,081 | School Type Public | View School Profile | ||
Bethel University |
Location Saint Paul, MN | Tuition |
![]() |
Tuition $29,190 | % Receiving Financial Aid 66% | Student Population 3,952 | School Type Private |
ConcentrationsView School Profile |
||
Concordia University - Saint Paul |
Location Saint Paul, MN | Tuition |
![]() |
Tuition $26,250 | % Receiving Financial Aid 64% | Student Population 4,380 | School Type Private |
ConcentrationsView School Profile |
||
Metropolitan State University |
Location Saint Paul, MN | Tuition |
![]() |
Tuition $15,600 | % Receiving Financial Aid 52% | Student Population 8,424 | School Type Public |
ConcentrationsView School Profile |
||
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities |
Location Minneapolis, MN | Tuition |
![]() |
Tuition $78,375 | % Receiving Financial Aid 43% | Student Population 50,678 | School Type Public | View School Profile | ||
Saint Cloud State University |
Location Saint Cloud, MN | Tuition |
![]() |
Tuition $21,000 | % Receiving Financial Aid 48% | Student Population 16,096 | School Type Public | View School Profile | ||
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota |
Location Winona, MN | Tuition |
![]() |
Tuition $19,500 | % Receiving Financial Aid 61% | Student Population 5,931 | School Type Private |
ConcentrationsView School Profile |
||
Crown College |
Location Saint Bonifacius, MN | Tuition |
![]() |
Tuition $22,260 | % Receiving Financial Aid 70% | Student Population 1,153 | School Type Private |
ConcentrationsView School Profile |
||
The College of Saint Scholastica |
Location Duluth, MN | Tuition |
![]() |
Tuition $19,080 | % Receiving Financial Aid 68% | Student Population 4,329 | School Type Private |
ConcentrationsView School Profile |
||
Walden University |
Location Minneapolis, MN | Tuition |
![]() |
Tuition $34,200 | % Receiving Financial Aid – | Student Population 52,799 | School Type Private |
Concentrations |
||
University of St. Thomas |
Location Saint Paul, MN | Tuition |
![]() |
Tuition $72,000 | % Receiving Financial Aid 57% | Student Population 10,148 | School Type Private |
ConcentrationsView School Profile |
||
Bethel University - St Pual |
Location St. Paul, MN | Tuition |
![]() |
Tuition $29,190 | % Receiving Financial Aid – | Student Population 348 | School Type Private | View School Profile | ||
Minnesota State University - Moorhead |
Location Moorhead, MN | Tuition |
![]() |
Tuition $14,393 | % Receiving Financial Aid 64% | Student Population 5,923 | School Type Public |
ConcentrationsView School Profile |
||
University of Northwestern - St Paul |
Location Saint Paul, MN | Tuition |
![]() |
Tuition $20,958 | % Receiving Financial Aid 46% | Student Population 3,447 | School Type Private | View School Profile | ||
|
There are many important considerations to make before settling on an online MBA program in Minnesota. These include factors discussed above like cost, accreditation, and available specializations. The following list includes some key steps to follow during the program research process for MBA options in any state.
-
Compare student outcomes data
Student outcomes include graduation rate, year-to-year retention rate, the average debt for a graduate from that school, and overall student satisfaction with their degree program. Student outcomes do not guarantee you will be satisfied with a particular program, but can be useful for pinpointing a school’s strengths and weaknesses.
-
Estimate the expected costs of your programs
Virtually every accredited college or university posts tuition rates online. Additionally, you should research other college-related costs like living accommodations and meal plans (if you plan to live on-campus), administrative fees, and technology fees (for online students). You should also look into scholarships, grants, and other forms of institutional financial aid that can offset some of the costs.
-
Check that classes will fit in with your schedule
Scheduling is critical for students with other important commitments, such as childcare or full-time employment. Many online programs are asynchronous, or self-paced; students in these tracks are free to complete course requirements on their own schedule. Synchronous programs, on the other hand, require weekly online meetings with teachers and fellow students.
-
Look for partnerships with local businesses
A large number of online MBA programs include internship and/or capstone practicum requirements ― and in many cases, students are able to gain on-the-job training and real-world office experience. You should look into the school’s business partnerships, particularly in regard to the industry you plan to enter after earning your MBA.
-
Make sure the program is accredited
Accreditation status should always be available and easily accessible on a school’s website. In addition to regional or national accreditation, some MBA pathways receive programmatic accreditation. Recognized programmatic accreditors for MBA programs include the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and the International Accreditation Counsel for Business Education (IACBE).
-
Talk to current students and/or recent alumni
You should contact the alumni office at each school you are considering and ask to be connected with former students. These individuals can be good sources of information about education costs, life on- and off-campus, local business tips, and other important details for aspiring MBA students.