2023 Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for healthcare students. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Healthcare Degree Search has developed this Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. Our analysis looked at 23 schools in Minnesota to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for healthcare students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Rochester Community and Technical College the best value school in Minnesota for healthcare students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Rochester, Minnesota, and it awarded 208 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Rochester Community and Technical College are $5,372 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,180 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Rochester Community and Technical College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 71% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Rochester Community and Technical College is ranked #3 for overall quality in Minnesota.
The excellent associate degree programs at Northwest Technical College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value healthcare schools in Minnesota. NTC is located in Bemidji, Minnesota and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 103 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NTC are $6,380 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,265 in student loans.
NTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
NTC also took the #2 spot in our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota rankings.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means North Hennepin Community College is a great place for healthcare students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 102 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Hennepin Community College are $4,882 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $24,520 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
North Hennepin Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
The excellent associate degree programs at St Cloud Technical and Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value healthcare schools in Minnesota. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a small public school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 174 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at St Cloud Technical and Community College are $5,874 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $20,104 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at St Cloud Technical and Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 75% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, St Cloud Technical and Community College is ranked #5 for overall quality in Minnesota.
Read full report on St Cloud Technical and Community College
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Anoka Technical College is a great place for healthcare students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Anoka, Minnesota, the small public school awarded 69 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Anoka Technical College are $6,075 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,723 in student loans.
Anoka Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Anoka Technical College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list.
Alexandria Technical & Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. ATCC is a public institution located in Alexandria, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 43 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ATCC are $5,910 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,116 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that ATCC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school handed out 201 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus undergraduate students pay an average of $5,515 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,645 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids Campus does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Century College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Century College is a public institution located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 289 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Century College are $5,907 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $22,559 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Century College. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Northland Community and Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. Northland Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 153 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Northland Community and Technical College are $6,052 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,969 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Northland Community and Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 48% took at least some of their classes online.
Hibbing Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Hibbing, Minnesota is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 67 students in 2020-2021.
Hibbing Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,071 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,202 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Hibbing Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 44% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Saint Paul College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school awarded 102 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Saint Paul College are $6,041 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,862 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Saint Paul College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #12, Ridgewater College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Located in Willmar, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 139 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ridgewater College are $5,914 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,453 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Ridgewater College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #13, Minnesota State Community and Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. M State is located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 193 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at M State are $5,862 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,514 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
M State does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
South Central College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #14 on the list. South Central College is a small public school situated in North Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 106 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at South Central College are $5,966 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,738 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since South Central College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #15, Hennepin Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Hennepin Technical College is a small public school located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota that handed out 65 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Hennepin Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,741 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,067 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Hennepin Technical College. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #16, Lake Superior College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 182 students in 2020-2021.
LSC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,616 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $23,773 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at LSC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Central Lakes College - Brainerd landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. This small public school is located in Brainerd, Minnesota, and it awarded 91 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Central Lakes College are $5,954 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,231 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Central Lakes College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 32% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Minnesota West Community and Technical College is a small public school located in Granite Falls, Minnesota that handed out 82 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Minnesota West are $11,936 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,016 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Minnesota West. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 49% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Read full report on Minnesota West Community and Technical College
With a ranking of #19, Normandale Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Normandale Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Bloomington, Minnesota. It awarded 115 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Normandale Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,789 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,674 in student loans.
Normandale Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #20, Minnesota State College Southeast did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MSC Southeast are $6,562 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $24,953 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MSC Southeast. In fact, around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 131 associate degrees to qualified students.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,906 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,611 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Minneapolis Community and Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Dakota County Technical College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list. Dakota County Technical College is a small public school located in Rosemount, Minnesota that handed out 23 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
DCTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,208 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,942 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at DCTC. In 2019-2020 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota ranking. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a small private for-profit school situated in St. Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 831 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota undergraduate students pay an average of $13,558 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $27,551 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in Minnesota list.
Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 23 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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