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Colleges in and near Bemidji

Bemidji is home to two colleges, with 2,873 students on campus

Bemidji State University (2,440 students on campus) and Northwest Technical College (433) are inside the city. About 14% of Bemidji’s residents are enrolled in college, above Minnesota (6%).

Bemidji State University

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 Bemidji. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
3,115 students on campus
Nearest college
0.5 mi
Bemidji State
Residents in college
14%
Above MN (6%)
Nearest community college
2.7 mi
Northwest Technical College · $6,254 tuition
Nearest public university
0.5 mi
Bemidji State · $10,237 in-state
Median household income
$55K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Bemidji

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

A university in BemidjiBemidji State University has 2,440 students on campus in Bemidji, 48% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Bemidji StateLiving in Minnesota, Bemidji State University charges $10,237 in tuition and fees, the same for every student.A community college 2.7 miles awayNorthwest Technical College in Bemidji: tuition and fees $6,254 a year for Minnesota residents.Students are 14% of residentsAbove Minnesota (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Bemidji

All 3 are public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Bemidji.

5 mi10 mi15 miBemidji StateNorthwest Technical CollegeLeech Lake Tribal CollegeBemidji
University or collegeCommunity college
Bemidji State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 2,440 on campus · In Bemidji56%admitted$15knet price48%graduate$54kearningsNorthwest Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 433 on campus · In Bemidji · mostly online$11knet price50%graduate$43kearnings52% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Tuition and fees: $6,254 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Leech Lake Tribal CollegeCommunity college · Public · 242 on campus · 12.5 mi · Cass Lake$13knet price19%graduateTuition and fees: $4,850 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

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 $48–75k, where Bemidji’s median household income ($55,405) falls.

Northwest Technical CollegeIn Bemidji · mostly online · sticker $16,905 · tuition $6,254$10,641a year
Bemidji State UniversityIn Bemidji · sticker $22,744$12,201a year
Leech Lake Tribal College12.5 mi · Cass Lake · sticker $16,717 · tuition $4,850—a 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 Bemidji: 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 →Bemidji StateNorthwest Technical College
Bemidji State University48% graduate$54k earnings$20k typical debt
Northwest Technical College50% graduate$43k earnings$15k 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.

Majors

What students study in Bemidji

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

Business 22%Health professions 16%Psychology 10%Education 9%Engineering tech 6%Biology 6%Everything else 32%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and Operations152 graduates a year
$64k4 yrs out
Psychology, General93 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing86 graduates a year
$84k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods69 graduates a year
$45k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections59 graduates a year
$59k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness45 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Biology, General44 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas41 graduates a year
$47k4 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. Left out: Northwest Technical College, where most students study only online.

Questions about college in Bemidji

Is Bemidji a college town?

No. About 14 of every 100 Bemidji residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Minnesota (6). The largest campus in the city, Bemidji State University, has 2,440 students on campus.

What colleges are in Bemidji?

Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College are inside the city.

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

Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, 2.7 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,254 a year for Minnesota residents; the federal net price, $10,996, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Bemidji State University cost if we live in Minnesota?

Tuition and fees are $10,237 a year in-state and $10,237 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,073 (under $30,000 income) to $19,940 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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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 Bemidji. 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 →