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Hwy 10 - Arden Hills, MN - panoramioPhoto: Gabriel Vanslette · CC BY 3.0
Colleges in and near Arden Hills

Arden Hills is a college town: 18 of every 100 residents are students

Bethel University (2,500 students on campus) is inside the city, and the University of Northwestern-St Paul (2,001) is 2.6 miles from the center, in Roseville. Across Minnesota, 6 of every 100 residents are enrolled in college.

College town18% of residents are studentsBethel UniversityUniversity of Northwestern-St Paul

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Arden Hills. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
23
112,487 students on campus
Nearest college
1 mi
Bethel University
Residents in college
18%
Above MN (6%)
Nearest community college
8.9 mi
Minneapolis Community and Technical College · $6,161 tuition
Nearest public university
7.6 mi
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · $17,214 in-state
Students on campus in Arden Hills
2,500
next to 9,583 residents

What stands out about college in Arden Hills

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A college town18 of every 100 Arden Hills residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Minnesota.Two colleges within 2.6 milesBethel University admits 88% of applicants; University of Northwestern-St Paul admits 93%. Together they have 4,501 students on campus.In-state price at University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesLiving in Minnesota, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities charges $17,214 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $38,362. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 8.9 miles awayMinneapolis Community and Technical College in Minneapolis: tuition and fees $6,161 a year for Minnesota residents.
Town & gown

What it’s like to live in Arden Hills

How much the colleges shape the town, from the Census Bureau’s survey of residents.

18 of every 100 Arden Hills residents are in college (MN: 6).

2,500students on campus at Bethel University, next to 9,583 residents (dorm students count as residents)
193college students live in Arden Hills households rather than dorms
35.3median age · MN 38.8
18%of homes rented · MN 28%
$1,710median rent · 34% above the state
Arden HillsArden Hills, MN
Cost of living$1,710/mo median rentCSafetyCrime reported to the FBIHealthCDC estimatesA+Jobs & incomeIncome, jobs, getting aroundAHandbookTrash day, parking, who to call

How students change Arden Hills’ other numbers

Read the town’s other grades with this in mind. How TownRatings handles college towns →

Jobs & income A

Students who live off campus count in the Census poverty figures: 5.0% of Arden Hills residents are below the poverty line, 4.4% when college students are left out (that estimate could be off by 3 points either way). 26% of the students themselves are below the line. In college towns, the Jobs & income grade uses the rate without students and leaves unemployment out.

Cost of living C

The Cost grade counts the share of renters paying 30% or more of income on rent, leaving it out only where students are a quarter of residents or more. Here they are 18%, so student incomes still weigh on that figure.

Health A+

CDC’s estimates follow each place’s age mix, and Arden Hills’ median age is 35.3 (Minnesota 38.8), so the adult figures describe a young population.

Safety

Crime is counted per resident, and students who live here count as residents. A college with its own police department reports its incidents under that department, not the city.

Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Arden Hills

15 private colleges within 13.4 miles, two public colleges within 9 miles, and six community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of Minnesota-Twin CitiesUniversity of St ThomasAnoka-RamseyArden Hills
University or collegeCommunity college
Bethel UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,500 on campus · In Arden Hills88%admitted$29knet price71%graduate$64kearningsUniversity of Northwestern-St PaulUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,001 on campus · 2.6 mi · Saint Paul93%admitted$28knet price68%graduate$51kearningsLuther SeminaryUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 258 on campus · 6.2 mi · Saint PaulGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Hamline UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,064 on campus · 7.2 mi · Saint Paul88%admitted$21knet price60%graduate$61kearningsUniversity of Minnesota-Twin CitiesUniversity or college · Public · 52,981 on campus · 7.6 mi · Minneapolis80%admitted$17knet price85%graduate$69kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Augsburg UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 3,107 on campus · 8.1 mi · Minneapolis82%admitted$24knet price52%graduate$59kearningsBethlehem College & SeminaryUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 194 on campus · 8.3 mi · Minneapolis70%graduateConcordia University-Saint PaulUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 3,243 on campus · 8.4 mi · Saint Paul79%admitted$18knet price46%graduate$60kearningsNorth Central UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 754 on campus · 8.5 mi · Minneapolis99%admitted$26knet price66%graduate$45kearningsUniversity of St ThomasUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 8,486 on campus · 8.9 mi · Saint Paul85%admitted$29knet price76%graduate$74kearningsMinneapolis Community and Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 4,006 on campus · 8.9 mi · Minneapolis$14knet price20%graduate$40kearningsTuition and fees: $6,161 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Saint Paul CollegeCommunity college · Public · 4,000 on campus · 8.9 mi · Saint Paul$11knet price40%graduate$38kearningsTuition and fees: $6,326 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Metropolitan State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 3,156 on campus · 9 mi · Saint Paul99%admitted$17knet price44%graduate$65kearningsMitchell Hamline School of LawUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,167 on campus · 9 mi · Saint PaulGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Dunwoody College of TechnologyUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,225 on campus · 9.1 mi · Minneapolis99%admitted$27knet price66%graduate$62kearningsCentury CollegeCommunity college · Public · 5,483 on campus · 9.2 mi · White Bear Lake$11knet price31%graduate$46kearningsTuition and fees: $6,214 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Macalester CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,142 on campus · 9.2 mi · Saint Paul29%admitted$32knet price87%graduate$64kearningsMinneapolis College of Art and DesignUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 748 on campus · 9.5 mi · Minneapolis48%admitted$30knet price51%graduate$41kearningsSt Catherine UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,461 on campus · 10.1 mi · Saint Paul92%admitted$20knet price61%graduate$59kearningsNorth Hennepin Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,449 on campus · 10.5 mi · Brooklyn Park$12knet price22%graduate$51kearningsTuition and fees: $5,061 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Anoka-Ramsey Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 5,688 on campus · 11.5 mi · Coon Rapids$16knet price30%graduate$48kearningsTuition and fees: $5,682 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Hennepin Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 2,803 on campus · 11.5 mi · Brooklyn Park$10knet price42%graduate$49kearningsTuition and fees: $5,940 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Herzing University-MinneapolisUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 571 on campus · 13.4 mi · St. Louis Park94%admitted$17knet price47%graduate$37kearningsEarnings are reported for all 11 campuses that file with it.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at Over $110k, where Arden Hills’ median household income ($134,118) falls.

Hennepin Technical College11.5 mi · Brooklyn Park · sticker $16,032 · tuition $5,940$15,484a year
Century College9.2 mi · White Bear Lake · sticker $15,983 · tuition $6,214$15,710a year
North Hennepin Community College10.5 mi · Brooklyn Park · sticker $17,470 · tuition $5,061$17,115a year
Saint Paul College8.9 mi · Saint Paul · sticker $18,261 · tuition $6,326$17,428a year
Minneapolis Community and Technical College8.9 mi · Minneapolis · sticker $19,683 · tuition $6,161$19,137a year
Anoka-Ramsey Community College11.5 mi · Coon Rapids · sticker $21,068 · tuition $5,682$20,510a year
Metropolitan State University9 mi · Saint Paul · sticker $25,172$21,905a year
Concordia University-Saint Paul8.4 mi · Saint Paul · sticker $37,239$23,295a year
Herzing University-Minneapolis13.4 mi · St. Louis Park · sticker $26,163$24,347a year
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities7.6 mi · Minneapolis · sticker $30,061$27,008a year
St Catherine University10.1 mi · Saint Paul · sticker $60,476$27,021a year
Hamline University7.2 mi · Saint Paul · sticker $58,110$27,196a year
North Central University8.5 mi · Minneapolis · sticker $44,475$30,213a year
University of Northwestern-St Paul2.6 mi · Saint Paul · sticker $51,325$31,348a year
Augsburg University8.1 mi · Minneapolis · sticker $62,303$32,123a year
Bethel UniversityIn Arden Hills · sticker $58,569$33,155a year
University of St Thomas8.9 mi · Saint Paul · sticker $66,116$33,232a year
Dunwoody College of Technology9.1 mi · Minneapolis · sticker $36,587$33,568a year
Minneapolis College of Art and Design9.5 mi · Minneapolis · sticker $59,972$34,345a year
Macalester College9.2 mi · Saint Paul · sticker $82,991$44,880a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Arden Hills: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesUniversity of St ThomasMinneapolis Community and Technical CollegeSaint Paul CollegeCentury CollegeAnoka-Ramsey
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities85% graduate$69k earnings*$20k typical debt
University of St Thomas76% graduate$74k earnings$23k typical debt
Anoka-Ramsey Community College30% graduate$48k earnings$14k typical debt
Century College31% graduate$46k earnings$14k typical debt
Minneapolis Community and Technical College20% graduate$40k earnings$18k typical debt
Saint Paul College40% graduate$38k earnings$11k typical debt
North Hennepin Community College22% graduate$51k earnings$15k typical debt
Concordia University-Saint Paul46% graduate$60k earnings$18k typical debt
Metropolitan State University44% graduate$65k earnings$17k typical debt
Augsburg University52% graduate$59k earnings$25k typical debt
Hennepin Technical College42% graduate$49k earnings$11k typical debt
Bethel University71% graduate$64k earnings$22k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (2); Herzing University-Minneapolis (11).

Majors

What students study in Arden Hills

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Bethel University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 20%Health professions 19%Education 9%Biology 7%Parks & recreation 6%Psychology 6%Everything else 33%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and Operations128 graduates a year
$77k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing91 graduates a year
$88k4 yrs out
Psychology, General40 graduates a year
$55k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness38 graduates a year
$68k4 yrs out
Biology, General29 graduates a year
$58k4 yrs out
Communication and Media Studies28 graduates a year
$54k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods25 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Physics24 graduates a year
$86k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Arden Hills

Is Arden Hills a college town?

Yes. 18 of every 100 Arden Hills residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), against 6 across Minnesota. Bethel University has 2,500 students on campus, next to 9,583 residents.

What colleges are in Arden Hills?

Bethel University is inside the city. the University of Northwestern-St Paul is 2.6 miles from the center, in Roseville, and Minneapolis Community and Technical College is 8.9 miles away in Minneapolis.

Why is Arden Hills’ poverty rate so high?

Students who live off campus count in the Census figures. 5.0% of residents are below the poverty line; leaving college students out, 4.4% are (ACS 2020–24, give or take 3 points).

What is the closest community college to Arden Hills, and what does it cost?

Minneapolis Community and Technical College in Minneapolis, 8.9 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,161 a year for Minnesota residents; the federal net price, $13,812, counts housing and food at full cost.

How hard is it to get into Bethel University?

Bethel University admitted 88% of applicants in the Scorecard’s latest year; the middle half of admitted students scored 1,190–1,300 on the SAT.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Arden Hills. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →