Top 3 UX Design Programs in Minnesota 2025
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
7 ux design graduates annually, 79% graduation rate
University of St Thomas
9 ux design graduates annually, 89% graduation rate
Bemidji State University
18 ux design graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.Minnesota offers 7+ accredited ux design programs across public and private universities
- 2.Minneapolis College of Art and Design leads with 79% 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)
UX Design Education in Minnesota: Overview
Minnesota offers 7 accredited ux design programs, producing approximately 48 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 ux design programs in the state are led by Minneapolis College of Art and Design, University of St Thomas, Bemidji State University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Based on 7 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
UX Design 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 UX Design Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | Minneapolis, MN | Private | $43,374 | 79% | 54 |
| 2 | University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $50,788 | 89% | 50.4 |
| 3 | Bemidji State University | Bemidji, MN | Public | $8,994 | — | 47.8 |
| 4 | Hamline University | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $47,134 | — | 40.2 |
| 5 | Augsburg University | Minneapolis, MN | Private | $43,142 | 63% | 40.1 |
| 6 | Minnesota State University Moorhead | Moorhead, MN | Public | $8,838 | — | 40.1 |
| 7 | Concordia University-Saint Paul | Saint Paul, MN | Private | $25,000 | 66% | 39.7 |
Top 5 UX Design Programs in Minnesota: Side-by-Side
| School | Minneapolis College of... | U of St Thomas | Bemidji State | Hamline | Augsburg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $43,374 | $50,788 | $8,994 | $47,134 | $43,142 |
| Graduation Rate | 79% | 89% | N/A% | N/A% | 63% |
| Annual Graduates | 7 | 9 | 18 | 10 | 2 |
| Acceptance Rate | 48% | 85% | 71% | 90% | 77% |
| Type | Private | Private | Public | Private | Private |
| Score | 54.0/100 | 50.4/100 | 47.8/100 | 40.2/100 | 40.1/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in UX Design in Minnesota
Minnesota offers 6 bachelor's-level ux design programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of St Thomas, Bemidji State University, Hamline University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $74,753 in the Minnesota market.
A bachelor's in ux design typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best UX Design Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 UX Design Bachelor's Programs in Minnesota
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of St Thomas | $50,788 | 89% | 9 | 50.4 |
| #2 Bemidji State | $8,994 | N/A% | 18 | 47.8 |
| #3 Hamline | $47,134 | N/A% | 10 | 40.2 |
Top UX Design Schools for Master's Degrees in Minnesota
For graduate study, Minnesota offers 1 master's-level ux design programs. Leading institutions include Minneapolis College of Art and Design. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Minnesota reaching $138,827 or more.
Top 3 UX Design Master's Programs in Minnesota
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Minneapolis College of... | $43,374 | 79% | 7 | 54.0 |
Most Affordable UX Design Colleges in Minnesota
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable ux design programs in Minnesota are at Minnesota State University Moorhead ($8,838/year), Bemidji State University ($8,994/year), Concordia University-Saint Paul ($25,000/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Minnesota's competitive tech salaries.
At Minnesota State University Moorhead, a 4-year degree costs approximately $35,352 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $74,753, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.9 years. See our Most Affordable UX Design Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable UX Design Programs in Minnesota (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Minnesota State Universit... | $8,838 | $35,352 | 0.9 years | Public |
| #2 Bemidji State | $8,994 | $35,976 | 0.9 years | Public |
| #3 Concordia University-Sain... | $25,000 | $100,000 | 2.5 years | Private |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 UX Design Schools in Minnesota
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 ux design 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.
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Minneapolis, MN • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $43,374 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 79% (IPEDS 2023)
- • UX Design Graduates: 7 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 48%
- • Ranking Score: 54.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 79% graduation rate
- 7 ux design graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 54.0 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (79%), program size (7 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (48% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
The Web Design & Front-End Development program at Minneapolis College offers hands-on training with current industry-standard software from experienced professional instructors in downtown Minneapolis, which has one of the largest creative and advertising industries in the country. Students benefit from an advisory committee including representatives from major ad agencies and Fortune 500 companies, with graduates successfully placed at organizations like Adobe, Target, and 3M.
Program Details
- Credits: 60 credits
Career Outcomes
- Top Employers: Adobe, Target, Best Buy, Periscope, General Mills, Clockwork, 3M
University of St Thomas
Saint Paul, MN • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $50,788 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 89% (IPEDS 2023)
- • UX Design Graduates: 9 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 85%
- • Ranking Score: 50.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 89% graduation rate
- 9 ux design graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 50.4 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (89%), program size (9 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (85% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,994 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • UX Design Graduates: 18 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 71%
- • Ranking Score: 47.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 18 ux design graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 47.8 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (18 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (71% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
The Computer Science Web and UX emphasis program integrates design courses with a strong foundation in computer programming, offering professional training in both design and computer science fields with hands-on courses in UX design, web programming, and mobile application development.
Admissions
- Min GPA: 2.00
Program Details
- Credits: 120 credits
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $47,134 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • UX Design Graduates: 10 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 90%
- • Ranking Score: 40.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 10 ux design graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 40.2 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (10 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (90% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Augsburg University
Minneapolis, MN • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $43,142 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 63% (IPEDS 2023)
- • UX Design Graduates: 2 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 77%
- • Ranking Score: 40.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 63% graduation rate
- 2 ux design graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 40.1 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (63%), program size (2 graduates), state salary outcomes ($106,790), and selectivity (77% 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 7)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration (consider SF, Seattle, NYC)
Other Tech Degree Programs in Minnesota
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Explore computer engineering programs in Minnesota
Ux Design Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Massachusetts
UX Design 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.