Top 3 Information Technology Programs in Minnesota 2025
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
161 information technology graduates annually, 92% graduation rate
Minnesota State University-Mankato
82 information technology graduates annually, 95% graduation rate
Macalester College
72 information technology graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.Minnesota offers 15+ accredited information technology 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)
Information Technology Education in Minnesota: Overview
Minnesota offers 15 accredited information technology programs, producing approximately 671 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 information technology programs in the state are led by University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minnesota State University-Mankato, Macalester College, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Based on 15 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Information Technology 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 Information Technology Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | Public | $14,496 | 92% | 81.2 |
| 2 | Minnesota State University-Mankato | Mankato, MN | Public | $8,356 | 95% | 68.4 |
| 3 | Macalester College | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $64,678 | — | 68.2 |
| 4 | Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul, MN | Public | $8,571 | 75% | 64 |
| 5 | University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $50,788 | 89% | 63.4 |
| 6 | Walden University | Minneapolis, MN | For-Profit | $10,313 | 33% | 56.1 |
| 7 | Capella University | Minneapolis, MN | For-Profit | $14,436 | 13% | 55.2 |
| 8 | Minnesota State University Moorhead | Moorhead, MN | Public | $8,838 | — | 47.2 |
| 9 | Winona State University | Winona, MN | Public | $8,388 | — | 43.7 |
| 10 | Rasmussen University-Minnesota | St. Cloud, MN | For-Profit | $10,207 | 56% | 42.7 |
| 11 | The College of Saint Scholastica | Duluth, MN | Private | $39,530 | — | 39 |
| 12 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | Winona, MN | Private | $42,500 | — | 38.5 |
| 13 | Bethel University | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $42,760 | — | 37.2 |
| 14 | Bemidji State University | Bemidji, MN | Public | $8,994 | — | 36.9 |
| 15 | University of Northwestern-St Paul | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $35,970 | — | 34.3 |
Top 5 Information Technology Programs in Minnesota: Side-by-Side
| School | U of Minnesota | Minnesota State Universit... | Macalester College | Metropolitan State | U of St Thomas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $14,496 | $8,356 | $64,678 | $8,571 | $50,788 |
| Graduation Rate | 92% | 95% | N/A% | 75% | 89% |
| Annual Graduates | 161 | 82 | 72 | 93 | 55 |
| Acceptance Rate | 77% | 91% | 28% | 96% | 85% |
| Type | Public | Public | Private | Public | Private |
| Score | 81.2/100 | 68.4/100 | 68.2/100 | 64.0/100 | 63.4/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Information Technology in Minnesota
Minnesota offers 15 bachelor's-level information technology programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minnesota State University-Mankato, Macalester College. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $74,753 in the Minnesota market.
A bachelor's in information technology typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Information Technology Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Information Technology Bachelor's Programs in Minnesota
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Minnesota | $14,496 | 92% | 161 | 81.2 |
| #2 Minnesota State Universit... | $8,356 | 95% | 82 | 68.4 |
| #3 Macalester College | $64,678 | N/A% | 72 | 68.2 |
Top Information Technology Schools for Master's Degrees in Minnesota
For graduate study, Minnesota offers 5 master's-level information technology programs. Leading institutions include University of St Thomas, Walden University, Minnesota State University-Mankato. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Minnesota reaching $138,827 or more.
Top 3 Information Technology Master's Programs in Minnesota
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of St Thomas | $50,788 | 89% | 55 | 63.4 |
| #2 Walden | $10,313 | 33% | 55 | 56.1 |
| #3 Minnesota State Universit... | $8,356 | 95% | 22 | 56.6 |
Most Affordable Information Technology Colleges in Minnesota
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable information technology programs in Minnesota are at Minnesota State University-Mankato ($8,356/year), Winona State University ($8,388/year), Metropolitan State University ($8,571/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Minnesota's competitive tech salaries.
At Minnesota State University-Mankato, a 4-year degree costs approximately $33,424 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $74,753, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.8 years. See our Most Affordable Information Technology Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Information Technology Programs in Minnesota (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Minnesota State Universit... | $8,356 | $33,424 | 0.8 years | Public |
| #2 Winona State | $8,388 | $33,552 | 0.8 years | Public |
| #3 Metropolitan State | $8,571 | $34,284 | 0.9 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Information Technology Schools in Minnesota
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 information technology 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)
- • Information Technology Graduates: 161 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 77%
- • Ranking Score: 81.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 161 information technology 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.
Minnesota State University-Mankato
Mankato, MN • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,356 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Information Technology Graduates: 82 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 91%
- • Ranking Score: 68.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 82 information technology graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 68.4 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (95%), program size (82 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (91% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
The program offers flexibility to design a course of study suitable for preparation for doctoral work while providing graduate level educational opportunities with an applied computing perspective. It addresses both pre-service and occupational advancement needs for baccalaureate-prepared computer technologists.
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.0
Program Details
- Credits: 32 credits
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $64,678 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Information Technology Graduates: 72 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 28%
- • Ranking Score: 68.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 72 information technology graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 68.2 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (72 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (28% 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)
- • Information Technology Graduates: 93 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 96%
- • Ranking Score: 64.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 75% graduation rate
- 93 information technology graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 64.0 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (75%), program size (93 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (96% 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)
- • Information Technology Graduates: 55 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 85%
- • Ranking Score: 63.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 89% graduation rate
- 55 information technology graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 63.4 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (89%), program size (55 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (85% 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 15)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration (consider SF, Seattle, NYC)
Other Tech Degree Programs in Minnesota
Explore artificial intelligence programs in Minnesota
Explore machine learning programs in Minnesota
Explore data science programs in Minnesota
Explore data analytics programs in Minnesota
Explore cybersecurity programs in Minnesota
Explore information security programs in Minnesota
Explore software engineering programs in Minnesota
Explore computer science programs in Minnesota
Explore computer engineering programs in Minnesota
Information Technology Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Massachusetts
Information Technology 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.