Minnesota's best school for computer science is the University of Minnesota in Twin Cities - a top-ranked national institution. Another plus for students in Minnesota is the Midwest Student Exchange Program which lets Minnesotans attend select schools in neighboring states at a discount. MSEP keeps the tuition down to no more than 150% of the in-state fee for public universities or 10% off for private schools. MSEP participating states include Indiana, Kansas, Wisconsin, Missouri, Ohio & North Dakota.
The North Star State has a lot to offer. Pros of living in Minnesota include a strong job market featuring the headquarters of Fortune 500 companies like 3M, Target & General Mills, and a slew of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. Potential drawbacks include harsh winters and mosquito-filled summers due to the state's ubiquitous lakes.
CS Schools in Minnesota
Compare the best computer science colleges in Minnesota.
University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota's College of Science and Engineering consistently ranks among the nation's top schools for computer science. Factors that make UMN the best computer science school in Minnesota include state-of-the-art labs for emerging disciplines like nanotechnology, biomedical engineering and earthquake simulation, a decorated CS faculty, and a beautiful high-tech campus.
- Graduate and Undergrad CS programs in:
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering & Mechanics
- Medical Device Innovation
- Software Engineering
- Cyber Security
- Materials Science & Engineering
- View all programs at UMN
- Campus Locations:
- UMNTC: 117 Pleasant St. | Minneapolis MN, 55455
University of St. Thomas
With small class sizes, world-class instruction and a CS curriculum focused on real-world application, it's no surprise that University of St. Thomas is among the top-ranked computer science schools in Minnesota. Undergraduate comp-sci students participate in the senior design clinic, a two-semester program where teams of students engage with practical engineering problems posed by real organizations.
- Computer science degrees include:
- Master's Degrees in Electrical, Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering
- Graduate Certificates in Medical Device Management, Technology Leadership & Manufacturing Systems
- Bachelor's Degrees in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Computer Engineering
- Fast Track Computer Science Master's Degree (B.S. + M.S. in 5 years)
- View all programs at St. Thomas
- Campus Locations:
- St. Thomas School of Engineering | 2115 Summit Ave, OSS 100 | St. Paul Minnesota, 55105
Top Paying IT Careers in Minnesota
For those who want to work in-state after graduating CS school in Minnesota, here's how much you can earn in the state's top paying tech roles.
| IT Career Path | Average Salary in MN |
|---|---|
| Technology Manager | $154,800 |
| Computer Scientist | $127,850 |
| Database Architect | $125,270 |
| Computer Network Architect | $121,210 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $119,250 |
| Software Developer | $111,400 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Regional Tech Salaries in Minnesota
These cities and metropolitan areas in Minnesota pay the highest salaries to IT professionals.
| Location in Minnesota | Hourly IT Salary | Annual IT Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $47.85 | $99,530 |
| Rochester, MN | $39.81 | $82,800 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $38.88 | $80,870 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $37.22 | $77,410 |
| Mankato-North Mankato, MN | $36.38 | $75,670 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions from prospective computer science students in Minnesota.
What's the best school for computer science in Minnesota?
University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and Saint Paul) is the best college for computer science in Minnesota. U.S. News & World Report ranks UMTC as Minnesota's top computer science school.
Online Computer Schools in Minnesota
These top-rated online CS schools are accepting applicants from Minnesota.
