2023 Best Online Community Colleges in Minnesota

North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) offers convenient online programs for students who need scheduling flexibility in order to pursue their educational goals. They can complete online associate degrees in a wide range of majors, such as finance management, marketing, business computer systems and management, and accounting — to name a few options. Online transfer pathways associate degrees in Business and Accounting help students earn credits that can later apply toward bachelor’s degrees at Minnesota’s four-year institutions. Online certificates can alternatively help equip students with targeted job skills, and NHCC offers these in many fields, such as accounting, business, computer information systems, and computer science. NHCC supports its distance learning initiatives by providing online access to advising, library services, tutoring, writing assistance, textbook purchasing, technical support, and test proctoring.

Century College is a public institution offering online associate degrees. The community college is an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. Some of the online associate degrees include business, health, and social work. These online degree programs can be 60 credit hours, which can take full-time students two years to complete. The acceptance rate at Century College is 100%, with a graduation rate of 28%.

Century College facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system D2L Brightspace. The student-to-faculty ratio is 23:1. Online students may be eligible for financial aid opportunities, like scholarships, grants, and loans. Online student resources include tutoring, academic advising, disability services, counseling, veterans services, financial aid assistance, career services, and an online library. Century College provides online students with 24/7 support and high quality teaching and learning technology.

Hennepin Technical College (Hennepin Tech) is a public college that offers online degrees at the associate level. Popular online associate degrees include accounting, architectural technology, and child development. At a minimum, these online degrees are 60-72 credit hours, so prospective students can expect to spend two years or more completing their degrees. Hennepin Tech accepts 100% of applicants, with 36% of students graduating.

At Hennepin Tech, online students complete coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats on D2L Brightspace. Hennepin Tech’s student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. Potential financial aid opportunities at this college are grants, loans, scholarships, veterans benefits, and a book-charge program. Online students at Hennepin Tech can access resources, such as tutoring, financial aid support, an online library, career services, advising, testing services, counseling, and a veterans resource center. The community college offers several online learning formats to meet students' needs.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College offers fully online programs through synchronous and asynchronous coursework, depending on the course of study. Distance learners can complete online associate degrees in various majors, such as business, integrative health and healing, liberal arts, creative writing, and sales management. Many of these programs include transferable credits that can later apply to bachelor’s degrees at Minnesota's four-year institutions. Online job-readiness certificates can also help students build occupational-specific skills, and these are available in healthcare, accounting, business communication, and administrative support. Anoka-Ramsey provides online access to student resources, such as tutoring, tech support, streaming services, Zoom, Microsoft Office 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, text-to-speech technology, and the school library.

Alexandria Technical and Community College (ATCC) is a public institution with online certificates and associate degrees in cybersecurity, economics, accounting, business, and more majors. A minimum of 60 credits are required to meet general education and major requirements. Full-time students may complete this in two years. ATCC has a 100% acceptance rate, with 66% of students graduating with degrees.

ATCC's online learning management system is Brightspace. Coursework is entirely online and mostly asynchronous, although some may have synchronous components. The student-to-faculty ratio is 20-1. Students are eligible for financial aid, and various scholarships are available. Online students can access a digital library with academic resources, tutoring, career support, and writing assistance. ATCC is known for its transfer pathway degrees designed to get students into state and public universities in Minnesota. These programs include the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, with coursework in communication and critical thinking coursework, for their general education requirements.

Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) is a public institution with online diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees. Associate degrees are available in cancer registry management, executive office professional, health information technology, and health office professional. Between 60 and 64 credits are required to graduate; full-time students may complete this in two years. RCTC has an open admissions policy and a 32% graduation rate.

RCTC's online learning management system is Brightspace. Coursework is completed entirely online using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 20-1. Students are eligible for financial aid and scholarships. Student services include academic and mental health counseling resources. RCTC is known for its online programs in the healthcare field. Along with the associate degrees mentioned above, there are certificates in healthcare office professional and cancer registry management and a diploma in healthcare informatics.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) is a public college offering online diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees. Associate majors are in early childhood education, graphic design, and library information technology, each requiring 60 credits. Full-time students may graduate in approximately two years. The acceptance rate at MCTC is 100%, with 23% of students graduating.

The learning management system at MCTC is Brightspace, where students can study online through synchronous and asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 22-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Online students can use career support, academic advising, and 24/7 technology support. MCTC is known for offering several program levels for each major. For example, the graphic design associate degree is also available as a diploma and certificate. The same goes for web design and early childhood education.

Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) is a public school with online diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees. Associate degrees require 60 credits and include accounting, construction management, and medical coding specialist majors. Full-time students may complete all the necessary coursework online in approximately two years. DCTC has a 100% acceptance rate and a graduation rate of 42%.

Brightspace is the learning platform that DCTC students use to learn online and asynchronously. The student-to-faculty ratio is 21-1. Students may access virtual assistance when applying for financial aid. Scholarships are also available. A wide range of resources allows online students to access tutoring services, academic advising, and technology support. DCTC is known for its Bounce Back program, which consists of online synchronous sessions that provide student success tools for stress management, self-care, time management, notetaking, and communication with faculty.

St Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC) is a public institution with online diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees. Each associate degree requires 60 credits and features majors such as business, psychology, and health information technology. Full-time students with no transfer credits can graduate in two years. SCTCC accepts 100% of applicants and has a 37% graduation rate.

Brightspace is the learning management system SCTCC uses to deliver its online synchronous and asynchronous classes. The student-to-faculty ratio is 20-1. Financial aid and scholarship options are available. Academic advising is also available. SCTCC is known for offering HyFlex classes that allow students to choose how they want to study, whether face-to-face, online, or through a hybrid format with online courses and campus learning.

Northland Community and Technical College (NCTC) is a public college offering online diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees. NCTC specializes in business and health programs with majors in digital marketing, accounting, health sciences, and medical administrative assistant. Associate degrees require a minimum of 60 credits, which full-time students may complete in approximately two years. The acceptance rateat NCTC is 100%, with 46% of students graduating.

The learning management system at NCTC is Brightspace. Coursework may be delivered synchronously or asynchronously. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Online students can take advantage of online mental health screenings and 1-on-1 virtual tutoring sessions. NCTC is known for its specialized certificates that develop unique skills in welding technology, production technology, and customer service.

Lake Superior College (LSC) is a public institution with online diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees. Computer and web programming, paralegal studies, and accountant majors are available at the associate level, where 60 credits are required to graduate. Full-time students may complete this in two years. LSC has a 100% acceptance rate, with 34% of students graduating with degrees.

LSC's online learning management system is Brightspace. Coursework is completed entirely online using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19-1. Students are eligible for financial aid and scholarships. Online students have access to technology support and tutoring services. LSC is known for its career pathways program, which works with Minnesota businesses to develop skills training for college students.

Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) is a public school with online diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees. Associate degrees require 60 credits and include a range of majors to choose from, such as health sciences, accounting, and management and marketing. Full-time students may complete all the necessary coursework in approximately two years. M State has an open admission policy and a graduation rate of 40%.

Brightspace is the learning platform M State students use to learn entirely online with synchronous and asynchronous courses. The student-to-faculty ratio is 22-1. Students may use financial aid to pay for online courses. Scholarships are also available. Resources include mental health services, academic advising, and career support. M State is known for its pathway degrees in psychology, business, and political science. Graduates of these programs are guaranteed junior status at their transfer universities.

Ridgewater College is a public school with online diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees. The online associate degrees at Ridgewater focus on specific career paths, such as administrative assistant, health information technician, and legal assistant — each requiring 60 credits. Full-time students may complete all necessary coursework in approximately two years. Ridgewater has an acceptance rate of 100% and a graduation rate of 43%.

Brightspace is the learning platform Ridgewater students use to learn entirely online. Coursework is delivered synchronously and asynchronously. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19-1. Students may use financial aid to pay for online courses. Scholarships are also available. Students can access academic advising, tutoring, and career services online. Ridgewater is known for its unique certificate and diploma options, including meat cutting, peace officer training, professional photography, and poultry management.

Minnesota West Community and Technical College (MWCTC) is a public institution with online diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees. The online associate degrees require 60 credits and feature majors such as nursing, mathematics, and telecommunications. Full-time students can graduate in approximately two years. MWCTC accepts 100% of applicants and has a 47% graduation rate.

Brightspace is the learning management system MWCTC uses to deliver its online classes, some of which may be asynchronous. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available. There are also online career resources and online tutoring services. MWCTC is known for its customized training services, including live online classes in business, workplace safety, and computer and technology.

Riverland Community College (RCC) is a public college offering online diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees. RCC specializes in business-related programs with majors in supervisory management, accounting, and administrative assistant. RCC's online associate degrees require a minimum of 60 credits, which full-time students may complete in approximately two years. The acceptance rate at RCC is 100%, with 37% of students graduating.

The learning management system at RCC is Brightspace, where students can study online and asynchronously. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Online students can use career services such as resume preparation, virtual tutoring, and resources to improve their study skills. RCC is known for its Minnesota State Transfer Pathway degrees, which offer guaranteed transfer to Minnesota state universities. There are also online programs in accounting and business.

Minnesota State College Southeast (MSC) is a public institution with online diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees. Among other areas, associate degree majors are available in IT support, criminal justice, and early childhood education. A minimum of 60 credits are required to meet general education and major requirements. Full-time students may graduate in two years. MSC has an open admissions policy that accepts 100% of applicants, with 40% of students graduating.

MSC's online learning management system is Brightspace. Coursework is completed entirely online using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16-1. Students are eligible for financial aid, and various scholarships are available. Online students can access resources for their career development and academic services, such as a graduation planner and class scheduler. MSC is known for the number of online pathways transfer degrees it offers in popular majors such as economics, English, sociology, criminal justice, business, and accounting. Graduates of these programs can transfer to a Minnesota state university.

Central Lakes College (CLC) is a public school with online diplomas and associate degrees. Associate degrees require 60 credits, with majors in computer information technology, agriculture science, enology, and viticulture. Full-time students may complete all the necessary coursework in approximately two years. CLC has an acceptance rate of 100% and a graduation rate of 38%.

Brightspace is the learning platform CLC students use to learn entirely online. Coursework is completed synchronously or asynchronously, depending on students' preferences. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18-1. Students can apply for financial aid and scholarships online. Online services include 24/7 tutoring, academic advising, and mental health resources. CLC is known for online training courses for career enhancement and skill development. These include classes in Quickbooks, PC security, grant writing, video marketing, and many more.

Northwest Technical College (NTC) is a public college offering online diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees through Distance Minnesota. Associate degrees require 60 credits and feature popular majors such as business, nursing, and computer technology. Full-time students with no transfer credits can graduate in two years. NTC accepts 100% of applicants and has a 45% graduation rate.

Brightspace is the learning management system NTC uses to deliver online courses through synchronous or asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16-1. Financial aid and scholarship options are available. Online students may qualify for in-state tuition rates regardless of their residence. There are also online tutoring services, 25 hours of which are offered without cost. NTC categorizes its programs into six career paths: automotive service, building systems, business, healthcare, and child development. Each path features separate online programs at different levels based on students' experience and career aspirations.