With more than 200 different colleges and universities in the state, Minnesota is a hub for higher education in the United States. Within its borders is the sixth-largest university based on enrollment size in the entire country, as well as a university system that operates more than 30 different public institutions. There are two medical schools in Minnesota as well as five accredited law schools.
The University of Minnesota is the largest school in the state, as well as one of the largest schools in the country. Its Twin Cities campus alone has an enrollment of more than 50,000 students, and there are four other satellite campuses located in Duluth, Rochester, Morris and Crookston. The University of Minnesota, which is known by local people as U of M, is an important research institution in the state. It consistently ranks as one of the top schools for research in not only the country but also across the globe. It is considered a Public Ivy institution, and the university is known for some of its top educational programs such as its pharmacy program and also its public health programs. Many public officials have graduated from the University of Minnesota, including many United States congressmen and congresswoman, as well as 19 different governors across the United States.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System has a large presence in the state. It oversees the operations at 31 different university campuses, with 24 of those institutions being two-year colleges, trade schools and technical schools. It has a presence in 47 different communities throughout the state of Minnesota. The system went into effect in 1995, and it has quickly grown to be one of the largest systems based on enrollment in the country. Many of the system graduates continue to stay in Minnesota to live, work and begin their careers.
The largest private university in Minnesota is the University of St. Thomas which is located in St. Paul. It was first founded in 1885 as a Catholic seminary for young men studying to become priests, but it later become a coeducational Catholic liberal arts college. More than 10,000 students are enrolled in the school. The college is known for many of its academic programs, but the business school and school of divinity stand out as excellent academic choices from this institution. Notable alumni include several politicians, a few professional athletes and several authors.