Minnesota has ranked in the top ten for community colleges according to WallethubMinnesota shows up ranked #8 overall, with Leech Lake Tribal College locking down the #1 spot. Community colleges are an excellent alternative to attending a University for four years due to the rising costs of tuition.

During the 2016 to 2017 academic year,tuition and fees for full-time, in-state enrollment at a public two-year college averaged $1,760 per semester versus $4,825 at a public four-year institution and $16,740 at a four-year private school. Based on those rates, students who earn their general-education credits at a community college before transferring to an in-state public four-year university would save $12,260 over two years on tuition and fees alone.

We have an excellent community college right in our back yard, Rochester Technical and Community College (RCTC). With rates only at $187.98 per credit, you can't go wrong knocking out a two-year degree so close to home. It ranked #147 on the list.

I attended RCTC and was able to secure an associates degree in full preparation to transfer to a university. It saved me on cost, as well as time. The world of learning has evolved so much you can be at a distance, never attending a class in person and obtain a degree. Pretty amazing stuff!

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