Affordable Online Degrees for Minnesota Residents
Career-focused online programs at a competitive cost.
ACE vs. Online Colleges in Minnesota
to $1 ROI
For every $1 ACE students invest in their education, they receive $19.20 in higher future earnings.6
Students exploring online degrees in Minnesota have several universities to choose from, but the cost of earning a degree can vary significantly between institutions. For many adult learners, finding a program that combines affordability, quality and career relevance is just as important as flexibility.
American College of Education (ACE) was built specifically for online learning, offering accessible degree programs with transparent tuition and practical coursework designed for today’s workforce. Our high student satisfaction¹ reflects an educational experience focused on real-world application, student support and meaningful career outcomes.
Whether you’re advancing in your current field or preparing for a new professional path, ACE provides affordable online degrees2 in Minnesota that support long-term career growth without excessive financial strain.
Why Choose ACE?
Choosing where to earn your degree is an important financial decision. ACE helps students pursue career-focused education through transparent tuition, practical programs and a fully online learning experience designed to support long-term value.
How ACE Compares
Students exploring accredited online colleges in Minnesota may compare options such as the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State University, Saint Cloud State University and Capella University. These schools offer established programs across fields including education, healthcare, business and leadership.
ACE differs by focusing entirely on online education. Our programs are structured specifically for adult learners who value affordability, consistent course design and coursework that connects directly to workplace applications.
| ACE | University of Minnesota | Minnesota State University | Saint Cloud State University | Capella University | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Delivery | Fully online courses2 | Select online options | Select online options | Select online options | Select online options |
| Built for working adults | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Start dates per year | 11 starts | 2-4 starts | 2-4 starts | 2-4 starts | 10-12 starts |
| Student to faculty ratio | 11 to 13 | 17 to 14 | 21 to 14 | 18 to 14 | 41 to 14 |
| Cost (online master’s) | Most under $10,0005 (total program cost) | $22,0174 (average annual in-state cost) | $10,4494 (average annual in-state cost) | $10,9244 (average annual in-state cost) | $15,0924 (average annual cost) |
| GRE requirement | Never | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes |
Published tuition and fee figures for comparison institutions reflect annual costs rather than total program cost. As master’s programs commonly span multiple academic years, total costs at comparison institutions may exceed the annual amounts shown.
Our Commitment to Affordable Tuition
For many students researching affordable online degrees in Minnesota, tuition transparency and long-term value are major factors in the decision-making process. ACE helps reduce financial uncertainty by offering programs with straightforward pricing and competitive tuition.
Rather than navigating fluctuating fees across multiple semesters, students can better understand their total educational investment from the beginning. This allows you to focus on career advancement and professional growth without taking on unnecessary financial strain. In fact, 87% of ACE students graduate without student loan debt.6
Our Unique Academic Experience
ACE programs were built to provide practical, career-focused learning that students can apply directly within professional settings. Coursework emphasizes relevant skills, workplace problem-solving and real-world application to help students gain meaningful value from their education.
Faculty members bring industry knowledge and firsthand experience into each course, helping students better understand current expectations across their fields. Combined with a fully online structure, this creates a supportive learning environment for students pursuing online degrees in Minnesota.
Your experience also includes:
- Standardized course design: Every course follows a familiar structure to help students stay organized and engaged
- Flexible scheduling: Coursework can be completed around your schedule without required live class sessions, aside from applicable field experiences in select programs
- Academic support resources: Students have access to writing assistance, a digital library and free monthly tutoring throughout their program.
How ACE Supports Aspiring Minnesota Teachers
Students exploring online education degrees in Minnesota often need programs that allow them to continue progressing professionally while preparing for opportunities in education. ACE offers programs designed to help future educators strengthen instructional methods, classroom management skills and student engagement strategies aligned with today’s classrooms.
Coursework focuses on practical preparation and modern teaching approaches that support today’s educational environments, helping teachers build confidence in planning lessons, assessing student progress and integrating educational technology effectively.
Through ACE, you can complete an initial licensure certificate or master’s degree and then take steps toward earning a teaching certificate in Minnesota, but you’ll want to ensure you’re aware of any additional requirements.
Programs That Advance Careers
We’re accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and have the online programs you need to advance your career.
Education
Whether you’re looking to become an educator, grow your expertise or advance into administration, ACE equips you with the research, strategies, pedagogies and skills you need.
Business
Dive into today’s business landscape and discover how to address its challenges with relevant skills, practices and technologies that are designed to make a difference.
Healthcare
Healthcare administrators and public health professionals are a driving force in ensuring quality patient care. ACE prepares you to succeed in non-clinical healthcare roles.
Nursing
Nurses looking to become leaders or educators should look no further than ACE to support their career goals with innovative and applicable practices that lead to positive patient outcomes.
FAQs
Is ACE authorized to offer programs to students in Minnesota?
Yes! ACE is approved to enroll students in Minnesota and other SARA participating states through its home-state authorization in Indiana. Read about this agreement to learn more about how ACE supports out-of-state enrollments.
What do ACE programs offer that online Minnesota colleges might not?
ACE combines affordable tuition, career-focused coursework and a fully online learning environment designed for working adults. Students learn from experienced faculty while developing practical skills that translate directly into professional settings. In fact, with every $1 ACE students invest in their education, they receive $19.20 in higher future earnings.7
How can an ACE degree help me get a Minnesota teaching certificate?
ACE’s initial licensure programs help students develop foundational teaching knowledge while building practical classroom skills related to instructional planning, student assessment and educational technology integration.
1Student Right to Know. Accessed May 11, 2026.
2Some programs also have local practicum, internship or student teaching requirements.
3Internal research conducted in March 2026
4CollegeTuitionCompare: University of Minnesota, Minnesota State University, Saint Cloud University, Capella University. Accessed May 11, 2026.
5This is an estimated value of the cost for tuition and fees. Amounts may vary depending on number of transfer credits applied to the selected program hours, the pace and satisfactory completion of the selected program, receipt of institutional scholarship and/or grant amounts, or adjustments to tuition or fees as described in the Catalog Right to Modify Tuition section. State sales and use tax will apply where required by law.
6Internal research completed in November 2025