Colleges Near Rochester, Minnesota
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Rochester? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 50 miles of Rochester, Minnesota.
There are at least 8 colleges serving the area, including 2 private colleges and universities, 2 public colleges and universities, and 3 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Rochester, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Rochester, Minnesota Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Rochester, Minnesota have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2023, students completed 4,821 doctorates at colleges and universities near Rochester. That was a decrease of 7% from completions reported in 2019.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2023
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Rochester, Minnesota
There are at least 2 schools offering degrees near Rochester, Minnesota, and 2 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 6,197 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2023, a total of 3,584 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 3,215 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Rochester, Minnesota area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2023, 1,429 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. In 2023, 985 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 385 bachelor's degrees, and 43 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,080
Completions By Degree
1,413
Est. Online Degree Availability
74%
Completions by Program Area
Public Colleges & Universities Near Rochester, Minnesota
There are 2 four-year public colleges located near Rochester, Minnesota. About 5,871 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 1,905 degrees were completed at public colleges near Rochester. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Winona State University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Winona State University. In 2023, 1,447 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 40 associate degrees, 198 master's degrees, and 61 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,254
Completions By Degree
1,746
Est. Online Degree Availability
12%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of Minnesota-Rochester is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of Minnesota-Rochester. In 2023, 159 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
617
Completions By Degree
159
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Rochester, Minnesota
There are 3 community colleges near Rochester, Minnesota where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2023, about 6,196 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Rochester, and about 1,239 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Riverland Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,950
Completions By Degree
398
Est. Online Degree Availability
66%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Minnesota State College Southeast is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,106
Completions By Degree
173
Est. Online Degree Availability
27%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Rochester Community and Technical College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,140
Completions By Degree
668
Est. Online Degree Availability
39%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near Rochester, Minnesota
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Rochester, Minnesota? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Rochester-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $26,369. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Rochester is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Rochester, Minnesota
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Rochester, Minnesota is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Rochester, Minnesota here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
- Riverland Community College
- Minnesota State College Southeast
- Rochester Community and Technical College
Rochester, Minnesota Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Rochester? What's the Rochester, Minnesota job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2023, there were about 181,085 jobs in the Rochester, Minnesota area. From 2022-2023, job growth in Rochester was below the national average, at 2%. There were 21,806 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Rochester do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $23.17.