Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota College of Saint Benedict / Saint John’s University Concordia University, St. Paul @smumn @csbsju @concordiastpaul Minneapolis College of Art and Design Hamline University Augsburg University @mcadedu @hamlineu @augsburguniversity College Guide: 2019-20 College Minnesota Private Colleges Minnesota Private University of St. Thomas Bethany Lutheran College The College of St. Scholastica @uofstthomasmn @bethanylutherancollege @stscholastica Macalester College St. Olaf College Bethel University Concordia College, Moorhead @macalestercollege @stolafadmissions @bethelumn @concordia_mn Gustavus Adolphus College College of Saint Benedict / Saint John’s University Carleton College St. Catherine University @gustavusadmission @csbsju @carletoncollege @stkates This guide is prepared by the Minnesota Private College Council — the collective voice for 17 private nonprofit colleges and universities. There’s Overview 1 College Search Advice 2 College Profiles 8-23 a private Majors, Minors & Concentrations 24-27 College Guide: 2019-20 College college Minnesota Private Colleges Minnesota Private that’s right for you. Start finding out more. To order more copies, visit See the snapshots of each college on mnprivatecolleges.org/publications, pages 8 to 23; check out each college’s call 651-228-9061 or email majors and minors with the grid on [email protected]. pages 24 to 27. Minnesota Private College Council 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 500 St. Paul, MN 55101 Cover photos courtesy of the colleges and universities represented. The social media handles are for Instagram. 1 Explore our Each one is distinct. Do you want 700 or 6,000 fellow students? To be five minutes or five hours from home? To live in a small town, a regional center or the Twin Cities? What do you want to find on your campus — from a drumline to rock climbing? And with Minnesota private colleges’ 160 majors and minors, are there any that are must-have options for you? As you search for what’s best for you, know that our colleges all focus on the student experience, building on that to provide an outstanding education. And they all work to be affordable — so don’t rule out our colleges before 17 you learn more about financial aid. private nonprofit Guide | College Colleges Minnesota Private colleges Seventeen and you’re DU LUTH unique The College of bound to find options St. Scholastica MINNEAPOLI S Augsburg a great fit. University Minneapolis College of Art and Design ST. PAUL Bethel Dig Deeper University Concordia Use the College Finder to search for University, specific majors and minors, in combination St. Paul with sports and arts offerings: Hamline mnprivatecolleges.org/collegefinder. University Macalester Look up any of our 160 majors and minors, College 1 ST. JO SEPH NO RTHF IE LD ranging from Animation to Zoology. College of Carleton St. Catherine Saint Benedict College University Add in areas of interest St. Olaf University 2 of St. Thomas – 41 arts options, including a cappella CO LL EG EV ILLE College groups, literary magazines and swing Saint John’s University bands. ST. PE TE R WI NONA – 29 varsity sports as well as 35 club Gustavus Saint Mary’s sports, including basketball, track, MOORHEAD Adolphus University Concordia College of Minnesota ballroom dancing and dodgeball. College MA NK ATO Check your results. Click on the colleges Bethany Lutheran 3 that come up and visit their websites. College 2 Our students are Minnesota Private Colleges | College Guide | College Colleges Minnesota Private You’ll get to know your professors at our colleges. That’s bound to never happen, since we work hard to keep most classes to fewer than 20 students. That is one of the key ways that our colleges differ from just a public universities, where students are likely to end up in large lecture number. halls with more students. Ask a teacher or current college Smaller classes make a big difference. Your professors will challenge student why smaller class sizes matter. you and support you in meeting those challenges. And those challenges often include opportunities to work with your professors on outside projects and research—an option usually only available to graduate students at big universities. The result? At a private college, you’ll gain more from your college education. And you’ll have great references to take with you as you apply for jobs or graduate school. ONE RESULT: The private college focus on students as individuals extends beyond the classroom too, with academic advisors, counselors and career planning experts always working to support students. Minnesota Midwest Nation OUR STUDENTS: will be the first in 23% Our students start their careers their families to earn a college sooner. Our four-year graduation degree 68% Minnesota rate is the best in Minnesota and the Midwest. And we rank #3 26% of our first-year in the nation. 27% Other states U.S. students are students of color or Native American 5% Other nations 22% of our new students are transfers 3 Our grads Within one year are ready for of graduation: 74% employed what’s next. 16% additional education 4% service, mission work or military Guide | College Colleges Minnesota Private WHAT STUDENT OUR EMPLOYERS WANT EXPERIENCES OPTIONS Employers are seeking college The skills and knowledge our All 17 of our institutions offer graduates with a wide set of skills students develop in college prepare bachelor’s degrees. and high levels of learning. A them for what’s next. Credit the recent national survey found that liberal arts educations that our We offer 160 different majors employers expect graduates to institutions offer. and minors. have both broad and major-specific 7 of our colleges offer non- knowledge, along with the ability At our schools, you’ll develop the traditional programs offered on to apply that knowledge in real- ability to: weekends, in the evening and world settings and to develop online. their research abilities. These are • Critically analyze and synthesize all hallmarks of the kind of liberal information and ideas; 3 of our colleges offer associate arts education offered by our degree programs. institutions. • Construct arguments drawing on several sources; Private colleges support students through strong alumni networks, • Persuade, both orally and in career services, internships, and writing; corporate recruiter meetings. Our colleges’ annual Job and Internship • Understand relationships among Fair attracts hundreds of employers different disciplines, ideas or because they know that our historical trends; graduates are well prepared for the work world. • Feel comfortable with diversity $57,100 and understand how cultural and ethnic backgrounds shape perspectives; Median income of our alums working full-time • Think creatively and independently; and in Minnesota four years after graduation. • Exercise self-discipline and meet and exceed high expectations. 4 We cost less than you Minnesota Private Colleges | College Guide | College Colleges Minnesota Private think. $86,000 $83,000 61% ————— ————— 95% FAMILIES MINNESOTA IN STUDENTS MINNESOTA AT OUR COLLEGES With grants and scholarships, First-year students listed tuition is cut by on average receiving grants Typical family income— and scholarships ours mirrors the state You’ll probably pay far less than Need-based grants help students Myth: Only wealthy families can you expect at a private college. In from low- and middle-income afford our colleges. fact, after grants and scholarships families. And merit aid, which are factored in, many students is largely tied to academic Truth: Private colleges are find they pay less than they would achievement, helps students from accessible for families of all income have at a public institution. Yes, all families. In fact, 95 percent levels. the published cost — or “sticker of first-year Minnesota private price” — of a private college is college students receive grants The evidence? The typical family higher than that of most public and scholarships, that’s money income of our Minnesota students institutions. But once you take into they never have to pay back. who file for financial aid is basically account the grants and scholarships no different from Minnesota many students earn, the actual families generally. And for families out-of-pocket expense — or with more modest incomes, “net tuition” — at our colleges is average grants and scholarships dramatically reduced. The average will cover even more of students’ cost of tuition, for example, is cut tuition costs. by 61 percent, thanks to grants and scholarships. 5 How Don’t write off your dream college. Instead, give our private colleges a chance: Find the ones that fit you, families apply during your senior year, and apply for financial aid to see what support you might receive. That’s the only way to discover what your real costs will be. pay for Only then are you ready to compare your options and make a truly informed decision. college Most families pay some college expenses using their current income. Here are some other sources for covering college costs: ANOTHER MEASURE OF COST • Grants and scholarships — more Guide | College Colleges Minnesota Private The savings gained from graduating in four years are sizable. Minnesota than $680 million awarded from Private Colleges have the highest four-year graduation rate in the state our colleges and the Midwest. That means you won’t need to pay for a fifth or sixth year of college. And entering the workforce after graduating on time • Grants from the federal and