Top 3 Machine Learning Programs in Minnesota 2025
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
612 machine learning graduates annually, 92% graduation rate
Carleton College
80 machine learning graduates annually, 97% graduation rate
St Olaf College
33 machine learning graduates annually, 95% graduation rate
- 1.Minnesota offers 24+ accredited machine learning 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)
Machine Learning Education in Minnesota: Overview
Minnesota offers 24 accredited machine learning programs, producing approximately 1,211 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 machine learning programs in the state are led by University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Carleton College, St Olaf College, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Based on 24 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Machine Learning 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 Machine Learning Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | Public | $14,496 | 92% | 81.2 |
| 2 | Carleton College | Northfield, MN | Private | $65,043 | 97% | 70.5 |
| 3 | St Olaf College | Northfield, MN | Private | $56,970 | 95% | 56.2 |
| 4 | Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul, MN | Public | $8,571 | 75% | 51.2 |
| 5 | Southwest Minnesota State University | Marshall, MN | Public | $8,840 | 94% | 48.6 |
| 6 | University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $50,788 | 89% | 48.4 |
| 7 | Bethany Lutheran College | Mankato, MN | Private | $29,280 | 72% | 44.9 |
| 8 | University of Minnesota-Duluth | Duluth, MN | Public | $12,766 | — | 44.6 |
| 9 | Minnesota State University-Mankato | Mankato, MN | Public | $8,356 | 95% | 44.1 |
| 10 | Minnesota State University Moorhead | Moorhead, MN | Public | $8,838 | — | 43.2 |
| 11 | Winona State University | Winona, MN | Public | $8,388 | — | 42.9 |
| 12 | North Central University | Minneapolis, MN | Private | $28,500 | 94% | 42.3 |
| 13 | Gustavus Adolphus College | Saint Peter, MN | Private | $53,570 | — | 41.7 |
| 14 | Concordia University-Saint Paul | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $25,000 | 66% | 41.5 |
| 15 | Augsburg University | Minneapolis, MN | Private | $43,142 | 63% | 40.9 |
| 16 | Concordia College at Moorhead | Moorhead, MN | Private | $29,400 | — | 40.6 |
| 17 | University of Minnesota-Morris | Morris, MN | Public | $12,932 | — | 39.5 |
| 18 | Bemidji State University | Bemidji, MN | Public | $8,994 | — | 37.4 |
| 19 | Saint Johns University | Collegeville, MN | Private | $52,700 | — | 36.6 |
| 20 | University of Northwestern-St Paul | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $35,970 | — | 34.4 |
| 21 | Saint Cloud State University | Saint Cloud, MN | Public | $8,811 | — | 34 |
| 22 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | Winona, MN | Private | $42,500 | — | 34 |
| 23 | College of Saint Benedict | Saint Joseph, MN | Private | $52,700 | — | 33.2 |
| 24 | Capella University | Minneapolis, MN | For-Profit | $14,436 | 13% | 29.2 |
Top 5 Machine Learning Programs in Minnesota: Side-by-Side
| School | U of Minnesota | Carleton College | St Olaf College | Metropolitan State | Southwest Minnesota State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $14,496 | $65,043 | $56,970 | $8,571 | $8,840 |
| Graduation Rate | 92% | 97% | 95% | 75% | 94% |
| Annual Graduates | 612 | 80 | 33 | 105 | 9 |
| Acceptance Rate | 77% | 22% | 52% | 96% | 69% |
| Type | Public | Private | Private | Public | Public |
| Score | 81.2/100 | 70.5/100 | 56.2/100 | 51.2/100 | 48.6/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Machine Learning in Minnesota
Minnesota offers 24 bachelor's-level machine learning programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Carleton College, St Olaf College. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $74,753 in the Minnesota market.
A bachelor's in machine learning typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Machine Learning Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Machine Learning Bachelor's Programs in Minnesota
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Minnesota | $14,496 | 92% | 612 | 81.2 |
| #2 Carleton College | $65,043 | 97% | 80 | 70.5 |
| #3 St Olaf College | $56,970 | 95% | 33 | 56.2 |
Top Machine Learning Schools for Master's Degrees in Minnesota
For graduate study, Minnesota offers 4 master's-level machine learning programs. Leading institutions include University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Metropolitan State University, Saint Cloud State University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Minnesota reaching $138,827 or more.
Top 3 Machine Learning Master's Programs in Minnesota
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Minnesota | $14,496 | 92% | 134 | 81.2 |
| #2 Metropolitan State | $8,571 | 75% | 10 | 43.9 |
| #3 Saint Cloud State | $8,811 | N/A% | 17 | 34.0 |
Most Affordable Machine Learning Colleges in Minnesota
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable machine learning 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 Machine Learning Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Machine Learning 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 Machine Learning Schools in Minnesota
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 machine learning 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)
- • Machine Learning Graduates: 612 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 77%
- • Ranking Score: 81.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 612 machine learning graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 81.2 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (92%), program size (612 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (77% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers a comprehensive 31-credit M.S. in Data Science with specialized tracks in Statistics, Algorithmics, and Infrastructure & Large Scale Computing. The program requires a capstone project and includes advanced machine learning and statistical theory courses taught by faculty in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering.
Admission Prerequisites
- •substantial background in computer science & engineering
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.25
Program Details
- Credits: 31 credits
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Carleton College
Northfield, MN • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $65,043 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 97% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Machine Learning Graduates: 80 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 22%
- • Ranking Score: 70.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- 97% graduation rate
- 80 machine learning graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 70.5 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (97%), program size (80 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (22% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $56,970 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Machine Learning Graduates: 33 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 52%
- • Ranking Score: 56.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 33 machine learning graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 56.2 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (95%), program size (33 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (52% 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)
- • Machine Learning Graduates: 105 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 96%
- • Ranking Score: 51.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 75% graduation rate
- 105 machine learning graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 51.2 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (75%), program size (105 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (96% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,840 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 94% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Machine Learning Graduates: 9 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 69%
- • Ranking Score: 48.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- 94% graduation rate
- 9 machine learning graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 48.6 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (94%), program size (9 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (69% 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 24)
- 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 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
Explore information technology programs in Minnesota
Machine Learning Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Massachusetts
Machine Learning 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.