Top 3 Database Administration Programs in Minnesota 2025
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
161 database administration graduates annually, 92% graduation rate
University of St Thomas
95 database administration graduates annually, 89% graduation rate
Metropolitan State University
43 database administration graduates annually, 75% graduation rate
- 1.Minnesota offers 10+ accredited database administration programs across public and private universities
- 2.University of Minnesota-Twin Cities leads with 92% graduation rate
- 3.Minnesota software developers earn median $106,790 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington
- 5.Cost of living index: 98.8% of US average (below average)
Database Administration Education in Minnesota: Overview
Minnesota offers 10 accredited database administration programs, producing approximately 380 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, with major employers including Target, UnitedHealth, Best Buy.
With a median software developer salary of $106,790 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 98.8% compared to the US average, Minnesota offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers compared to higher-cost coastal markets.
The top database administration programs in the state are led by University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of St Thomas, Metropolitan State University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Based on 10 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Database Administration degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
Minnesota-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Minnesota Database Administration Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | Public | $14,496 | 92% | 81.2 |
| 2 | University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $50,788 | 89% | 70.2 |
| 3 | Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul, MN | Public | $8,571 | 75% | 52.4 |
| 4 | Minnesota State University Moorhead | Moorhead, MN | Public | $8,838 | — | 47.2 |
| 5 | University of Minnesota-Duluth | Duluth, MN | Public | $12,766 | — | 45.1 |
| 6 | Rasmussen University-Minnesota | St. Cloud, MN | For-Profit | $10,207 | 56% | 42.7 |
| 7 | University of Northwestern-St Paul | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $35,970 | — | 38.7 |
| 8 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | Winona, MN | Private | $42,500 | — | 38.5 |
| 9 | Capella University | Minneapolis, MN | For-Profit | $14,436 | 13% | 36.9 |
| 10 | Bemidji State University | Bemidji, MN | Public | $8,994 | — | 36.9 |
Top 5 Database Administration Programs in Minnesota: Side-by-Side
| School | U of Minnesota | U of St Thomas | Metropolitan State | Minnesota State Universit... | U of Minnesota-Duluth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $14,496 | $50,788 | $8,571 | $8,838 | $12,766 |
| Graduation Rate | 92% | 89% | 75% | N/A% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 161 | 95 | 43 | 15 | 27 |
| Acceptance Rate | 77% | 85% | 96% | 53% | 82% |
| Type | Public | Private | Public | Public | Public |
| Score | 81.2/100 | 70.2/100 | 52.4/100 | 47.2/100 | 45.1/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Database Administration in Minnesota
Minnesota offers 10 bachelor's-level database administration programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of St Thomas, Metropolitan State University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $74,753 in the Minnesota market.
A bachelor's in database administration typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Database Administration Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Database Administration Bachelor's Programs in Minnesota
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Minnesota | $14,496 | 92% | 161 | 81.2 |
| #2 U of St Thomas | $50,788 | 89% | 21 | 52.6 |
| #3 Metropolitan State | $8,571 | 75% | 43 | 52.4 |
Top Database Administration Schools for Master's Degrees in Minnesota
For graduate study, Minnesota offers 1 master's-level database administration programs. Leading institutions include University of St Thomas. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Minnesota reaching $138,827 or more.
Top 3 Database Administration Master's Programs in Minnesota
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of St Thomas | $50,788 | 89% | 95 | 70.2 |
Most Affordable Database Administration Colleges in Minnesota
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable database administration programs in Minnesota are at Metropolitan State University ($8,571/year), Minnesota State University Moorhead ($8,838/year), Bemidji State University ($8,994/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Minnesota's competitive tech salaries.
At Metropolitan State University, a 4-year degree costs approximately $34,284 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $74,753, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.9 years. See our Most Affordable Database Administration Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Database Administration Programs in Minnesota (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Metropolitan State | $8,571 | $34,284 | 0.9 years | Public |
| #2 Minnesota State Universit... | $8,838 | $35,352 | 0.9 years | Public |
| #3 Bemidji State | $8,994 | $35,976 | 0.9 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Database Administration Schools in Minnesota
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 database administration programs in Minnesota, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $14,496 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 92% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 161 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 77%
- • Ranking Score: 81.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 161 database administration graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 81.2 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (92%), program size (161 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (77% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of St Thomas
Saint Paul, MN • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $50,788 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 89% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 95 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 85%
- • Ranking Score: 70.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 89% graduation rate
- 95 database administration graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 70.2 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (89%), program size (95 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (85% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,571 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 75% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 43 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 96%
- • Ranking Score: 52.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 75% graduation rate
- 43 database administration graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 52.4 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (75%), program size (43 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (96% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, MN • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,838 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 15 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 53%
- • Ranking Score: 47.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 15 database administration graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 47.2 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (15 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (53% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
This transfer-friendly program offers hands-on experience in three state-of-the-art computer facilities and excellent internship opportunities with major companies like Microsoft. Students benefit from 89% related job placement and can easily double or triple major with closely related programs in the department.
Available Scholarships
Admissions
- Acceptance Rate: 52.9%
- Transfer Friendly
Career Outcomes
- Job Placement: 89% related job placement
- Top Employers: Microsoft, Myriad Mobile, Clifton Labs
University of Minnesota-Duluth
Duluth, MN • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $12,766 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 27 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 82%
- • Ranking Score: 45.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 27 database administration graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 45.1 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (27 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (82% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in Minnesota with strong job growth.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Data Scientist opportunities in Minnesota with strong job growth.
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1244DevOps Engineer opportunities in Minnesota with strong job growth.
AI/ML Engineer
SOC 15-1299AI/ML Engineer opportunities in Minnesota with strong job growth.
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Cybersecurity Analyst opportunities in Minnesota with strong job growth.
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington
- You're seeking lower cost of living than coastal states (98.8% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Target or UnitedHealth
- You prefer Minnesota's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Minnesota's 10)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration (consider SF, Seattle, NYC)
Other Tech Degree Programs in Minnesota
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Explore cybersecurity programs in Minnesota
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Explore software engineering programs in Minnesota
Explore computer science programs in Minnesota
Explore computer engineering programs in Minnesota
Database Administration Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Massachusetts
Database Administration in Minnesota FAQ
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Minnesota salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.