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Psychology Schools in Minnesota

The following guide to psychology schools in Minnesota provides you with essential information to help you make an informed decision as to the best psychology program for your particular goals

Table of Contents

Minnesota Psychology School Facts

Nationally Ranked Top Psychology Programs in Minnesota

Our curated list of third-party and proprietary rankings can be useful in measuring the overall value and reputation of a program. Lists include College Factual, Psychology Degree 411, The Princeton Review, and Times Higher Education. Note if one of these lists is not present below, no schools in the state were named on it. Generally, schools and programs ranked on multiple lists tend to be stronger in academic quality.

Schools Ranked on Multiple Lists

  • Bemidji State University
  • Bethany Lutheran College
  • Concordia University-Saint Paul
  • Minnesota State University-Mankato
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth3
  • University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
  • Winona State University

College Factual’s Best Psychology Schools 2024

  • University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (#10)
  • University of St Thomas Minnesota (#99)
  • Capella University (#125)
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth (#126)
  • College of Saint Benedict (#127)
  • Minnesota State University-Mankato (#158)
  • Walden University (#188)2

Psychology Degree 411’s Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs

  • University of Minnesota-Duluth (#29)3

The Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors 2024

  • Carleton College
  • University of Minnesota-Twin Cities4

Times Higher Education’s Best Universities for Psychology 2023

  • University of Minnesota (#29)
  • Boston University (#48)5

Lowest-Priced Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology

The following Minnesota schools with bachelor’s degrees in psychology have the lowest average net prices. Please note that we grouped regional campuses together and included a range for the net price of these schools. We have included each school’s graduation rate, a key quality metric.

  • University of Minnesota Regional Campuses ($11,169-$18,031 / Grad rate: 53%-84%)
  • Saint Cloud State University ($14,065 / Grad rate: 44%)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University ($15,004 / Grad rate: 41%)
  • Bemidji State University ($15,561 / Grad rate: 50%)
  • Minnesota State University Regional Campuses ($16,809-$17,939 / Grad rate: 53%-55%)
  • Concordia University-Saint Paul ($17,776 / Grad rate: 51%)
  • Winona State University ($18,187 / Grad rate: 60%)
  • Bethany Lutheran College ($18,525 / Grad rate: 57%)
  • Metropolitan State University ($19,347 / Grad rate: 33%)
  • St Catherine University ($19,976 / Grad rate: 64%)1

Top 25 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs in Minnesota

This table compares the top 25 bachelor’s in psychology programs from not-for-profit schools in Minnesota based on a graduation rate 50% or above and an annual net price below $31,000. A high graduation rate is a top indicator of student success, and affordability is a key consideration for prospective undergrad students. Programs in bold text offer hybrid or online options.

SchoolGrad Rate*1Accept Rate1Median Debt*6Median Earnings*6Full Price In State1Full Price Out of State1Net Price*1
University of Minnesota-Morris58%78%$18,995$49,414$23,642$25,772$11,169
University of Minnesota-Crookston53%57%$20,500$49,197$22,802$22,802$12,894
Bemidji State University50%78%$19,750$50,297$19,702$19,702$15,561
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities84%75%$19,500$65,087$27,753$46,993$16,018
Minnesota State University-Mankato53%71%$21,106$55,008$20,050$29,420$16,809
Concordia University-Saint Paul51%69%$17,832$56,424$34,600$34,600$17,776
Minnesota State University Moorhead55%57%$20,000$49,476$20,340$29,176$17,939
University of Minnesota-Duluth62%81%$22,024$59,144$23,764$29,154$18,031
Winona State University60%74%$21,500$55,391$20,146$26,878$18,187
Bethany Lutheran College57%58%$23,000$45,251$37,280$37,280$18,525
St Catherine University64%93%$24,181$54,838$57,770$57,770$19,976
Oak Hills Christian College53%N.Av.$20,980$31,021$27,470$27,470$20,744
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota65%97%$21,500$58,188$51,370$51,370$22,843
Hamline University69%81%$23,770$57,170$57,829$57,829$23,021
Concordia College at Moorhead69%66%$26,847$55,054$39,426$39,426$23,087
North Central University59%91%$23,200$42,445$36,940$36,940$23,374
The College of Saint Scholastica67%97%$20,000$61,672$50,406$50,406$24,578
Augsburg University56%77%$25,347$56,814$53,633$53,633$25,409
Crown College52%67%$22,500$45,299$39,180$39,180$25,504
University of Northwestern-St Paul70%93%$21,325$47,202$45,984$45,984$25,704
St Olaf College85%56%$26,000$66,260$67,100$67,100$26,171
Saint John’s University76%86%$27,000$75,423$64,054$64,054$27,982
College of Saint Benedict78%88%$26,944$61,071$64,030$64,030$28,746
Bethel University75%72%$21,500$58,664$52,760$52,760$29,915
University of St Thomas80%77%$23,250$72,582$62,953$62,953$30,137

*See Table Notes at bottom of page.

Comparison of All Graduate Psychology Programs in Minnesota

This table compares all of Minnesota’s graduate-level psychology programs from not-for-profit schools on multiple factors.

We’ve included accreditation status by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). We also highlight the levels offered, 2020-2022 pass rates for the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP), and tuition information. Note EPPP scores are reported by degree type (clinical, counseling, or school psychology) and level (PhD or PsyD), so some schools may be listed more than once to include all pass rates. Schools in bold text offer hybrid or online options. Tuition per credit hour is more relevant for master’s and PsyD programs due to the fact that PhD students typically receive more program-awarded funding.

SchoolAccreditation7-10Levels OfferedEPPP Pass Rate 2020-2211EPPP # Taking 2020-2211Grad Tuition Per Credit Hour
Augsburg UniversityAPAPsyD100%6$1,220
Metropolitan State University*MA$549
Minnesota State University MoorheadNASPMS$573
Minnesota State University-MankatoNASPMA, PsyD$741
Saint Cloud State UniversityMS$517
Saint Mary’s University of MinnesotaAPAPsyD61%28$610
University of Minnesota-DuluthMA$1,593
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (Clinical PhD)APA, NASPMA, PhD88%17$1,593
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (Counseling PhD)APA, NASPMA, PhD88%8$1,593
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (School PhD)APA, NASPMA, PhD100%11$1,593
University of St ThomasAPAMA, PsyD73%26$842

Minnesota Schools With Psychology Programs

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and not everyone has the same results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews, and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

College of St. Benedict
2850 Abbey Rd
Collegeville, MN 56321
(320) 363-2011
https://www.csbsju.edu/

Student Review: “Collaborative exploration was a key aspect of my experience. I was encouraged to take part in community research with employees. This joint effort incorporated direct research managed by my professors. In keeping with the soul of the school, I was furnished with numerous extra experiential learning. I had a wonderful internship in the St. Cloud Hospital as well as in the campus recruiting office. However, I disliked having to write a thesis as it was time-consuming and frustrating to do so much research. Nevertheless, I loved the faculty and my fellow students and had a wonderful 4 years at St. Benedict’s studying psychology.” – Student at College of St. Benedict
stars-4

Student Review: “Overall the psychology program at the College of Saint Benedict was excellent. I highly enjoyed the variety of courses, the professors, and the styles of teaching. The courses were all very different from each other and yet they built on each other so you receive a comprehensive education. The professors are all really great. They have extensive office hours and are always more than happy to meet with you if needed or answer any questions that you have. The best part of the program is that you learn via real-world experience and internships, lectures, movies, case studies, and textbooks. Using a variety of teaching techniques the professors ensure all of the students are engaged and learn in the ways best suited to them. The one complaint I have about the program is that it does feel a bit slow-paced at times and there are times when the information is redundant between classes and courses. In the end, the program was excellent and taught me a great deal.” – Student at College of St. Benedict
stars-5

Hamline University
1536 Hewitt Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55104
(651) 523-2800
https://www.hamline.edu/

Student Review: “I had the privilege of earning my degree in psychology from Hamline University. The University itself was quite small and I benefited from small class sizes both in the general psychology classes and in the major-specific ones. There was a range of classes that helped me find which aspects of the major I found most interesting. Hamline also gave its students the opportunity to enroll in “Psi Chi,” a national Psychology honor society. The only critique I have of the psychology program is the limited number of classes available. Due to a relatively small staff, core subjects were covered but anything incredibly specific wasn’t offered.” – Student at Hamline University
stars-4

Macalester College
1600 Grand Ave
St Paul, MN 55105
(651) 696-6000
https://www.macalester.edu/

Student Review: “Macalester is not an easy school. Even for large classes (e.g., 60 people for our Abnormal Psychology course), which are quite rare, professors expect a high level of critical thinking in and outside of the classroom. Professor Strauss is a brilliant woman, and her classes are filled immediately because of the quality of her teaching. Also, a lot of Macalester’s psychology courses require lab components, which are exceptional preparation for graduate school. At most colleges, Intro to Psychology has a reputation for being rather easy and simplistic, but at Macalester, it is a rather difficult course that requires high-level thinking to pass. The psychology professors and their amazing teaching have inspired me to go to either a Clinical Psychology PhD or Psy.D program despite having earned my B.A in geography and not psychology.” – Student at Macalester College
stars-5

Saint Catherine University
2004 Randolph Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55105
(651) 690-6000
https://www.stkate.edu/

Student Review: “My psychology program was an amazing experience. When I entered the program, I was able to transfer credits from a previous institution, which allowed me to enter the program at a more advanced level. Every course in the program included a lab component. During the labs, we were able to apply our knowledge of psychology to real research projects. We designed projects and conducted the research ourselves. It gave me a great idea of what a research psychologist would be expected to do in the workplace. My professors were always available and we also had teaching assistants that would help us when we had more extensive questions. The program really made me feel like part of a community and the students would spend time studying together in groups to prepare for exams and presentations. It was a wonderful program.” – Student at Saint Catherine University
stars-4

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
2500 Park Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 728-5100
https://www.smumn.edu/

Student Review: “Saint Mary’s University’s psychology program has a lot to offer. It has been a challenging, fun-filled adventure. Their classes are not only educational but also exciting. Every day I actually look forward to attending lectures. A lot of the professors are really well distinguished in the field so you get a state of the art education from actual published therapists and psychologists. The exciting part comes in when you actually get to participate in some of the new and upcoming research projects that students get to be a part of. Every professor I have encountered so far has been amazing in terms of communication and is always available through email in a timely fashion. Another perk of this program is their use of Blackboard. Blackboard is their online system that allows students to not only access grades, assignments, and syllabi, but it also allows you to have direct communication with other students and the professor. Overall I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to enter the field. It has helped me get hands-on experience and has taught me what type of occupations I can achieve with my specific degree.” – Student at Saint Mary’s University
stars-4

Southwest Minnesota State University
1501 State St
Marshall, MN 56258
(800) 642-0684
https://www.smsu.edu/

Student Review: “My experience at SMSU was not the greatest. Several times, it was nearly impossible to register for needed classes. My graduation date was postponed a whole semester due to not being able to get into my capstone psychology class (they only offer it once a year). Despite this, for the most part, the professors were helpful, but there were a few of them who were relatively awkward and initially hard to approach. My psychology professors offered me more information on repaying student loans in one semester than the financial aid office did in the 4 years I was there. I also did not get a graduation ceremony because they only do it once a year.” – Student at Southwest Minnesota State University
stars-2

*Table Notes:
-N.Av. indicates data is not available.
-Metrics are institution-wide unless otherwise noted.
-Graduation rate is completion percentage within six years of start.
-Median (average) debt is cumulative federal loan debt for undergraduate completers in 2020-2021.
-Median earnings are from the 2020-2021 cohort 10 years post school entry.
-Net price is the average yearly price paid by full-time, first-year undergraduate students receiving financial aid. See NCES for more in-depth information.
-Metropolitan State University’s graduate psychology program is not accepting applicants as of December 2023.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. College Factual, Best Colleges Offering Degrees in Psychology (Nationwide): https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/rankings/top-ranked/#
3. Psychology Degree 411 Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs: https://www.psychologydegree411.com/degrees/online/
4. The Princeton Review. The Best 388 Colleges, 2023 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2022.
5. Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 – Psychology: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/subject-ranking/psychology
6. Department of Education College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
7. American Psychological Association Accredited Programs: https://accreditation.apa.org/accredited-programs
8. Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs, Directory: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
9. Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council Accredited Programs: https://mpcacaccreditation.org/accredited-programs/
10. National Association for School Psychologists, Approved Programs: https://apps.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/graduate-program-approval-and-accreditation/approved-accredited.aspx
11. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, 2023 Psychology Licensing Exam Scores by Doctoral Program: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.asppb.net/resource/resmgr/eppp_/doctoralreportoct2023.pdf