The Best Business Schools in Minneapolis for 2026
The best business schools in Minneapolis are the accredited schools that graduate their students and charge honestly for it, not the ones with the biggest name on the building. Hakia analyzed 141 accredited business programs in Minneapolis and the surrounding metro and ranked 17 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes. Tuition across the 17 ranked schools runs from $8,571 to $52,820 a year, a $44,249 spread for the same credential.
Walden University leads with a 94.4 Hakia Score, at $10,542 a year. Across all 17 ranked business schools in Minneapolis the average graduation rate is 56%, ranging from 20% to 85%. 2 of the 17 are public and 15 are private, a split that drives most of the price gap below.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at what actually separates the business schools in Minneapolis: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. This list covers the Twin Cities, so many schools sit in Saint Paul or the suburbs; the city of each is shown in the table. Every figure is drawn from federal IPEDS and BLS data, and no school pays for placement.
Key Takeaways on the Best Business Schools in Minneapolis
- Walden University ranks first among business schools in Minneapolis with a 94.4 Hakia Score.
- Tuition across the 17 ranked business schools in Minneapolis spans $8,571 to $52,820 a year, a $44,249 gap for the same credential.
- The 17 ranked business schools in Minneapolis graduate 56% of students on average, from 20% to 85%.
- 2 of the 17 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate is what Minnesota residents actually pay.
- 10 of the 17 offer a confirmed online option, which matters in a city where commuting time is the real cost.
Hakia analyzed 141 accredited business programs in Minneapolis and the surrounding metro reported to IPEDS, scoring each on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes, then ranked one entry per school on its strongest program. No school is rewarded for sticker price alone, and none pays for inclusion.
The 17 Best Business Schools in Minneapolis, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walden UniversityMinneapolis, MN · online option | For-profit | $10,542 | NR | NR | 94.4 |
| 2 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN | Public | $15,148 | 85% | 80% | 92.2 |
| 3 | University of St ThomasSaint Paul, MN | Nonprofit | $52,820 | 76% | 85% | 86.2 |
| 4 | Bethel UniversitySaint Paul, MN · online option | Nonprofit | $44,050 | 71% | 88% | 82.2 |
| 5 | Minneapolis College of Art and DesignMinneapolis, MN · online option | Nonprofit | $44,784 | 51% | 48% | 80.0 |
| 6 | Capella UniversityMinneapolis, MN · online option | For-profit | $14,400 | 20% | NR | 77.4 |
| 7 | Hamline UniversitySaint Paul, MN | Nonprofit | $48,784 | 60% | 88% | 77.3 |
| 8 | Concordia University-Saint PaulSaint Paul, MN · online option | Nonprofit | $25,600 | 46% | 79% | 77.2 |
| 9 | Augsburg UniversityMinneapolis, MN | Nonprofit | $44,652 | 52% | 82% | 75.9 |
| 10 | Crown CollegeSaint Bonifacius, MN | Nonprofit | $30,470 | 45% | 23% | 75.6 |
| 11 | St Catherine UniversitySaint Paul, MN · online option | Nonprofit | $37,534 | 61% | 92% | 73.6 |
| 12 | University of Northwestern-St PaulSaint Paul, MN · online option | Nonprofit | $36,980 | 68% | 93% | 73.5 |
| 13 | Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul, MN · online option | Public | $8,571 | 44% | 99% | 70.9 |
| 14 | North Central UniversityMinneapolis, MN · online option | Nonprofit | $30,350 | 66% | 99% | 70.0 |
| 15 | Dunwoody College of TechnologyMinneapolis, MN · online option | Nonprofit | $25,214 | 66% | 99% | 68.4 |
| 16 | Herzing University-MinneapolisSt. Louis Park, MN | Nonprofit | $12,360 | 47% | 94% | 65.9 |
| 17 | Academy CollegeBloomington, MN | For-profit | $17,812 | 36% | NR | 56.3 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
The Top Business Schools in Minneapolis at a Glance
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
Inside the Top Business Schools in Minneapolis
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN · For-profit · online option
- Grad rate
- NR
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $10,542
- Out-of-state
- $10,542
At $10,542 a year in-state, Walden is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding a 94.4 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 94.4, #1 of 17
- $10,542 tuition
- Online option available
Walden is a private, for-profit institution in Minneapolis, MN. Its Business program ranks #1 of the 17 analyzed here with a 94.4 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 76.3 group average. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 49,441 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Walden charges $10,542 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,571 at Metropolitan State to $52,820 at St Thomas. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN · Public
- Grad rate
- 85%
- Admit rate
- 80%
- In-state
- $15,148
- Out-of-state
- $36,296
At $15,148 a year in-state, Minnesota-Twin Cities is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding a 92.2 Hakia Score on an 85% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 92.2, #2 of 17
- 85% graduation rate
- $15,148 in-state vs $36,296 out-of-state
- Top graduation rate on this list
Based in Minneapolis, MN, Minnesota-Twin Cities is a public institution. Its Business program lands at #2 of the 17 ranked here, earning a 92.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the top third of the 17 ranked programs, 2.2 points behind top-ranked Walden. The program graduates 85% of its students, above the 56% average across the ranked schools. Minnesota-Twin Cities admits 80% of applicants, more selective than the 82% average for the group. That is more open than the 23% rate at Crown College, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 20% to 85%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 56,666 students.
On cost, Minnesota-Twin Cities charges $15,148 a year in-state, roughly 2.4x the $36,296 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,571 at Metropolitan State to $52,820 at St Thomas. The spread makes the program a clearer value for MN residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
University of St Thomas
Saint Paul, MN · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 76%
- Admit rate
- 85%
- In-state
- $52,820
- Out-of-state
- $52,820
St Thomas graduates 76% of its students, above the 56% average across this ranking, on an 86.2 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 86.2, #3 of 17
- 76% graduation rate
- $52,820 tuition
- Admits just 85% of applicants
St Thomas is a private, nonprofit institution in Saint Paul, MN. Its Business program ranks #3 of the 17 analyzed here with an 86.2 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the top third of the 17 ranked programs. The program graduates 76% of its students, above the 56% average across the ranked schools. St Thomas admits 85% of applicants, less selective than the 82% average for the group. That is more open than the 23% rate at Crown College, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 20% to 85%. The university enrolls 9,410 students overall.
On cost, St Thomas charges $52,820 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,571 at Metropolitan State to $52,820 at St Thomas. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
Bethel University
Saint Paul, MN · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 71%
- Admit rate
- 88%
- In-state
- $44,050
- Out-of-state
- $44,050
Bethel graduates 71% of its students, above the 56% average across this ranking, on an 82.2 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 82.2, #4 of 17
- 71% graduation rate
- $44,050 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Saint Paul, MN, Bethel is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #4 of the 17 ranked here, earning an 82.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the top third of the 17 ranked programs. The program graduates 71% of its students, above the 56% average across the ranked schools. Bethel admits 88% of applicants, less selective than the 82% average for the group. That is more open than the 23% rate at Crown College, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 20% to 85%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 3,603 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Bethel charges $44,050 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,571 at Metropolitan State to $52,820 at St Thomas. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with an online option.
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Minneapolis, MN · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 51%
- Admit rate
- 48%
- In-state
- $44,784
- Out-of-state
- $44,784
Minneapolis College of Art and Design ranks #5 of the 17 business programs in this analysis, with an 80.0 Hakia Score and a 51% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 80.0, #5 of 17
- 51% graduation rate
- $44,784 tuition
- Online option available
Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit institution in Minneapolis, MN. Its Business program ranks #5 of the 17 analyzed here with an 80.0 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the top third of the 17 ranked programs. The program graduates 51% of its students, below the 56% average across the ranked schools. Minneapolis College of Art and Design admits 48% of applicants, more selective than the 82% average for the group. That is more open than the 23% rate at Crown College, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 20% to 85%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 831 students.
On cost, Minneapolis College of Art and Design charges $44,784 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,571 at Metropolitan State to $52,820 at St Thomas. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is genuine selectivity paired with an online option.
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN · For-profit · online option
- Grad rate
- 20%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $14,400
- Out-of-state
- $14,400
At $14,400 a year in-state, Capella is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding a 77.4 Hakia Score on a 20% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 77.4, #6 of 17
- 20% graduation rate
- $14,400 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Minneapolis, MN, Capella is a private, for-profit institution. Its Business program lands at #6 of the 17 ranked here, earning a 77.4 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the middle third of the 17 ranked programs. The program graduates 20% of its students, below the 56% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 20% to 85%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 47,761 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Capella charges $14,400 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,571 at Metropolitan State to $52,820 at St Thomas. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 60%
- Admit rate
- 88%
- In-state
- $48,784
- Out-of-state
- $48,784
Hamline graduates 60% of its students, above the 56% average across this ranking, on a 77.3 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 77.3, #7 of 17
- 60% graduation rate
- $48,784 tuition
- Admits just 88% of applicants
Based in Saint Paul, MN, Hamline is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #7 of the 17 ranked here, earning a 77.3 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the middle third of the 17 ranked programs. The program graduates 60% of its students, above the 56% average across the ranked schools. Hamline admits 88% of applicants, less selective than the 82% average for the group. That is more open than the 23% rate at Crown College, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 20% to 85%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 2,565 students.
On cost, Hamline charges $48,784 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,571 at Metropolitan State to $52,820 at St Thomas. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
Concordia University-Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 46%
- Admit rate
- 79%
- In-state
- $25,600
- Out-of-state
- $25,600
Concordia-Saint Paul ranks #8 of the 17 business programs in this analysis, with a 77.2 Hakia Score and a 46% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 77.2, #8 of 17
- 46% graduation rate
- $25,600 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Saint Paul, MN, Concordia-Saint Paul is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #8 of the 17 ranked here, earning a 77.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 76.3 group average, in the middle third of the 17 ranked programs. The program graduates 46% of its students, below the 56% average across the ranked schools. Concordia-Saint Paul admits 79% of applicants, more selective than the 82% average for the group. That is more open than the 23% rate at Crown College, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 20% to 85%. The university enrolls 6,003 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Concordia-Saint Paul charges $25,600 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,571 at Metropolitan State to $52,820 at St Thomas. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is genuine selectivity paired with an online option.
Augsburg University
Minneapolis, MN · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 52%
- Admit rate
- 82%
- In-state
- $44,652
- Out-of-state
- $44,652
Augsburg ranks #9 of the 17 business programs in this analysis, with a 75.9 Hakia Score and a 52% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 75.9, #9 of 17
- 52% graduation rate
- $44,652 tuition
- Admits just 82% of applicants
Based in Minneapolis, MN, Augsburg is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #9 of the 17 ranked here, earning a 75.9 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 76.3 group average, in the middle third of the 17 ranked programs. The program graduates 52% of its students, below the 56% average across the ranked schools. Augsburg admits 82% of applicants, more selective than the 82% average for the group. That is more open than the 23% rate at Crown College, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 20% to 85%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 3,249 students.
On cost, Augsburg charges $44,652 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,571 at Metropolitan State to $52,820 at St Thomas. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its genuine selectivity.
Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, MN · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 45%
- Admit rate
- 23%
- In-state
- $30,470
- Out-of-state
- $30,470
Crown College ranks #10 of the 17 business programs in this analysis, with a 75.6 Hakia Score and a 45% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 75.6, #10 of 17
- 45% graduation rate
- $30,470 tuition
- Most selective program here
Based in Saint Bonifacius, MN, Crown College is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #10 of the 17 ranked here, earning a 75.6 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 76.3 group average, in the middle third of the 17 ranked programs. The program graduates 45% of its students, below the 56% average across the ranked schools. Crown College admits 23% of applicants, more selective than the 82% average for the group. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 20% to 85%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,846 students.
On cost, Crown College charges $30,470 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $8,571 at Metropolitan State to $52,820 at St Thomas. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its genuine selectivity.
What Business Schools in Minneapolis Cost
Tuition across the 17 ranked schools runs from $8,571 to $52,820 a year. Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul anchors the low end at $8,571 a year, while University of St Thomas in Saint Paul sits at the top at $52,820. The cheapest public option among the business schools in Minneapolis is Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul at $8,571; the cheapest private is Walden University at $10,542.
Over the four years the credential takes, that is roughly $34,284 in tuition at Metropolitan State University against about $211,280 at University of St Thomas. Public figures here are the in-state resident rate, so an applicant moving to Minneapolis from another state should read the out-of-state column before treating the cheap end of this list as cheap.
Which Business Major to Choose in Minneapolis
Business school covers a dozen different degrees, and the business schools in Minneapolis do not all offer the same ones. Across the 141 accredited programs analyzed here, the fields with the deepest coverage in Minneapolis are business administration (16 schools), accounting (14 schools), marketing (12 schools), finance (10 schools), human resources (7 schools). A school ranked highly overall is not automatically strong in the major you want, so check the field before the name.
Accounting is the one track bound to a license: CPA eligibility in most states requires 150 credit hours against the 120 a bachelor's confers, which changes the course plan from the first year rather than the last. 14 of the schools analyzed in Minneapolis run one.
Public and Private Business Schools in Minneapolis
2 of the 17 ranked business schools in Minneapolis are public and 15 are private, and that split drives most of the $44,249 tuition spread above. The public rate is a residency benefit: Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul charges $8,571 in-state and $8,571 out of state, so where a student already lives changes this ranking more than any other single factor.
Private schools discount heavily off the published number, which is why sticker price alone is a poor comparison. Completion is the better lens: the 17 ranked schools average 56%, from 20% to 85%, and a cheap degree that does not finish is not a saving. Run each school's own net price calculator before ruling one out on tuition.
Why Study Business in Minneapolis
Being on a campus among the business schools in Minneapolis puts a student inside the employer network that school recruits into, close enough for an internship during term rather than only over the summer, and internships are what turn an undergraduate business degree into a first job.
The 17 ranked schools sit across 5 towns in the metro, among them Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Saint Bonifacius, and the table names the city of each, so check the commute before assuming a suburban campus is the convenient option. 10 of the 17 also run a confirmed online option for students who cannot be on campus daily.
Business Schools in Minneapolis: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best business school in Minneapolis?
By Hakia Score, Walden University ranks first among the 17 ranked business schools in Minneapolis, with a 94.4 score. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes together, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one of them.
Can you study business part-time in Minneapolis?
Yes. Evening, weekend and part-time formats are common across the business schools in Minneapolis, and in a metro this size most schools run at least one. The tradeoff is length rather than content: the same credential takes longer while you keep working. Ask each school for the completion rate of its part-time cohort specifically, since it often differs from the headline graduation rate this ranking uses.
How much does a business degree cost in Minneapolis?
Tuition among the ranked Minneapolis schools runs from $8,571 to $52,820 a year. Public schools publish the in-state resident rate, so students moving in from another state should check the out-of-state column before comparing. Neither figure includes Minneapolis living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many business schools in Minneapolis does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 141 accredited business programs across Minneapolis and the surrounding metro and ranked the top 17 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. This list covers the Twin Cities, so many schools sit in Saint Paul or the suburbs; the city of each is shown in the table.
Is it worth studying business in Minneapolis instead of online?
10 of the 17 ranked schools run a confirmed online option, so in Minneapolis this is a live choice rather than a hypothetical one. An accredited online program carries identical standing on a transcript, since accreditation attaches to the school and the program rather than to the delivery format. What a campus adds is proximity to the employers that school recruits into, and at $8,571 in-state, Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul is what that proximity costs at the low end here. The honest comparison is local access against the cost of being here.
How the Business Schools in Minneapolis Are Scored
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.