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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Education Schools in Minnesota

5 Colleges in the United States
1,451 General Education Degrees Awarded
$53,278 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Education in Minnesota

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general education education in Minnesota.

Top Schools in General Education

1

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota tops our 2026 ranking of the best general education schools. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 121 general education degrees were awarded at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $59,959. Typical student debt for the program is $27,081. Read more about the general education program at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

2

A rank of #2 makes Gustavus Adolphus College one of the top schools for general education. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 general education students who graduated with this degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Gustavus Adolphus College earn around $44,396 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,197 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from Gustavus Adolphus College

3

Martin Luther College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #3. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 general education students who graduated with this degree at Martin Luther College in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Martin Luther College earn a median of $31,016 early in their careers. Martin Luther College graduates carry a median of $20,224 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Martin Luther College

4

Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at Bethel University Minnesota, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 17 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $57,694 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,639. Get the full general education details for Bethel University Minnesota

5
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Hamline University graduates 60% of students within six years. Hamline University awarded about 46 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $52,452 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in general education from Hamline University

6

Bemidji State University landed the #6 spot for general education this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Bemidji. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bemidji State University awarded about 10 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $48,984. Typical student debt for the program is $25,819. Get the full general education details for Bemidji State University

7

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #7 for general education this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 14 general education degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $51,118. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at Minnesota State University Mankato

8

Winona State University placed #8 among the best general education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. Winona State University graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 general education students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Winona State University earn around $52,019 in the first couple years of their career. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $24,551 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Winona State University

9
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University came in at #9 for general education this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit university. Walden University awarded about 994 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $70,272 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $49,361. Read more about the general education program at Walden University

10
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University earned the #10 position for general education this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Capella University graduates 20% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 general education students who graduated with this degree at Capella University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $74,309. Capella University graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Capella University

11

University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates 65% of students within six years. About 14 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Minnesota Duluth earn around $50,147 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,624. Read more about the general education program at University Of Minnesota Duluth

12

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College placed #12 among the best general education schools. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College awarded about 10 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $44,387 early in their careers. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College

13

Southwest Minnesota State University placed #13 among the best general education schools. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. There were roughly 116 general education students who graduated with this degree at Southwest Minnesota State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Southwest Minnesota State University earn around $55,867 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,016 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Southwest Minnesota State University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 30 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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