15 Military Friendly Colleges in Minnesota

1Capella University
225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor | Minneapolis, MN 55401

Capella University offers many benefits to active duty service members, veterans, spouses, and dependents. Capella offers a 10% discount on certificate, master’s, and doctoral programs. And, it offers a 15% discount on bachelor’s programs. Students must have a military affiliation to qualify. The school’s programs are also offered completely via Distance Education.

Capella participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Veterans are also eligible for transfer credit of military training.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,495
Grad: $7,741

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 596
Grad: 1,082

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 82%
Part Time: 64%

2University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
100 Church Street SE | Minneapolis, MN 55455

University of Minnesota Twin Cities welcomes student veterans, service members and dependents. These students could get in-state tuition. The school has a student veteran organization on campus.

UMN Twin Cities participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. An unlimited number of graduate students at the Carlson School of Management could get an unlimited max contribution per year. 50 other students could get up to $1,000 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 79%. For part time students, the rate is 75%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $11,944
Grad: $23,371

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 298
Grad: 136

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 79%
Part Time: 75%

3Dunwoody College of Technology
818 Dunwoody Blvd | Minneapolis, MN 55403

Dunwoody College of Technology is another military friendly college in Minnesota. This school helps veterans gain the skills to pursue a civilian career. The school has a long history of serving vets. It also has a Veteran & Military Student Center. There, veteran and military students can enjoy resources, study and fellowship. Dunwoody has a Veteran and Military Student Organization. And, it’s home to a Veterans Affairs Team. This team oversees the college’s efforts to support student veterans. 

Dunwoody participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. An unlimited number of undergrad students could get an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $19,496
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 96
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: N/A
Part Time: N/A

5University of Minnesota-Duluth
515 Darland Administration Bldg | Duluth, MN 55812

University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) welcomes veterans, service members and dependents. These students could qualify for in-state tuition. The school has a recognized student veteran organization on campus.

UMD participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The school gives 10 students up to $1,000 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 75%. For part time students, the rate is 50%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $10,673
Grad: $14,907

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 89
Grad: 10

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 75%
Part Time: 50%

6Lake Superior College
2101 Trinity Rd, Duluth, Minnesota 55811-3399

Lake Superior College offers 90+ certificate, diploma and associate degree programs in career/technical fields and pre-baccalaureate majors for students who want to transfer to a 4-year college or university.

LSC also has an on campus Veterans Resource Center. It is for eligible student veterans, active duty personnel, dependents, reservists, and National Guard members. And, offers support with GI Bill® benefits and questions regarding state and federal educational benefits programs.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $10,656
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 89
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 83%
Part Time: 52%

7Saint Cloud State University
720 Fourth Ave. South | Saint Cloud, MN 56301

Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) help service members move from the military to a campus support system. The school offers several military scholarships. It also has a Student Veterans Organization (S.V.O.). The goal of SVO is to give veterans the resources, support, and help they need to reach academic goals. SCSU also has an on-campus Veterans Living Community. This is home to the Veterans Learning Community.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rates for full time students who get military benefits is 84%. For part time students, the rate is 86%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,797
Grad: $7,515

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 112
Grad: 12

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 84%
Part Time: 86%

8Metropolitan State University
700 East Seventh Street | Saint Paul, MN 55106

Metropolitan State University has a Veterans and Military Student Center. It offers veterans and military connected students a place to take a break and get resources.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rates for full time students who get military benefits is 78%. For part time students, the rate is 86%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $5,225
Grad: $4,788

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 136
Grad: 7

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 78%
Part Time: 86%

9St Catherine University
2004 Randolph Ave, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55105

St. Catherine University was established by Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1905. It has a tradition of inclusivity, social justice and liberal arts. Today it is also one of the largest private women’s universities in the U.S. As a female military learner, you could use your eligible benefits here and the school may ex

Apart from its Catholic view point, you could also expect a support system for military veterans, active service members, and military family members. The staff is ready to help you with the steps to take to apply for veteran’s benefits and securing financial aid. There are also resources to connect you with military-affiliated alumni as well as to prepare for your career or graduate school.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $13,568
Grad: $14,494

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 34
Grad: 18

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: 86%

10Minnesota State University-Mankato
South Rd and Ellis Ave | Mankato, MN 56001

Minnesota State University Mankato is home to a Veterans Resource Center (VRC). This is a comfortable, relaxing space for veterans, military members, and their families. There, you can grab a cup of coffee, share stories and support, or do homework. The mission of the VRC is to provide help, peer support, and learning events. All students impacted by military service are welcome. 

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rates for full time students who get military benefits is 67%. The rate for part time students is 43%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,772
Grad: $6,322

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 132
Grad: 20

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 67%
Part Time: 43%

11Century College
3300 Century Ave N, White Bear Lake, Minnesota 55110

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.58M

Century College offers many career and transfer degrees as well as diplomas and certificates.

The school also has Veterans Services. These offer both the resources and support needed to understand what benefits are available to you as a Veteran student.

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) – Veterans at Century College may also be useful to military learners with documented disabilities as they provide help with academic and personal issues. If you qualify for this help, you could receive one-to-one math and writing tutoring as well as help with your resume, cover letter and interview preparation.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $2,748
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 102
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 85%
Part Time: 83%

12Winona State University
175 West Mark Street | Winona, MN 55987

Winona State University the last military friendly college in Minnesota on this list. The school has a dedicated point of contact for support services. These services help veterans, military service members, and their families.

Winona State participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 100 undergrad students up to $1,000 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rates for full time students who get military benefits is 73%. For part time students, the rate is 67%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,853
Grad: $7,204

# of Students

Undergrad: 49
Grad: 10

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 73%
Part Time: 67%

13Hennepin Technical College
9000 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55445

Hennepin Technical College offers many career focused programs. Five of them made the 2020 Best Colleges list from GradReports. Accounting, culinary arts, automotive technology, HVAC-R, and IT.

Veteran students may apply for VA education benefits with the help of the VRC student workers.  For more complicated cases, students can work with one of the MN VA Higher Ed Regional Coordinators who are available by appointment.

If looking for community, HTC has a Veterans Student Organization. All veterans are welcome to stop in or offer their time to support students and local areas.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,698
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 67
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 90%
Part Time: 56%

14Academy College
1600 W. 82nd Street, Suite 100, Bloomington, Minnesota 55431-1411

Academy College started in 1936 with a staple accounting program. Since then, they’ve grown into a career school with diverse program choices in aviation, business and computer technology.

The college welcomes military learners and prospective students could reach out to the school’s VA Certifying Official with questions about benefits. There’s also an Academy College Military Tuition Discount Program. Military members and their immediate families may receive a 10% Academy College tuition discount. 

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $21,237
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 28
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: N/A
Part Time: N/A

15Bemidji State University
1500 Birchmont Dr, Bemidji, Minnesota 56601

Founded in 1919, Bemidji State University offers a liberal arts education. There are on campus and online programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Whether you’re planning to attend or are a current student, the Veteran’s Assistance Center could help you to navigate the processes often required to use the benefits you’ve earned. 

Center staff could help you figure out if you are eligible for the GIBILL®, scholarships, disability services, personal counseling, tutoring, financial aid and other college-related services. They might also be able to help your family. Besides connecting with resources, the center is a place to connect with others, have a coffee, study, or chat with fellow veterans.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $5,664
Grad: $6,555

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 62
Grad: 5

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 78%
Part Time: 75%