Two-Year Colleges

Introduction to Two-Year Colleges:

Two-year colleges are becoming more popular amongst high school students. Two-year colleges provide students with an excellent college education, while being cost effective. Public two-year colleges offer a variety of educational options. You can earn a credential focusing on a specific occupation. Or you can take up to the first two-years of courses you need to transfer to a university and complete a bachelor's degree.

Minnesota two-year colleges accept all students with a high school diploma or GED. No ACT/SAT score required in order to be admitted. Two-year colleges have rolling admissions. However, some programs may be more selective, or have a waiting list. Students are encouraged to take college-level courses in high school. Saint Anthony Village High School provides students with a variety of colleges-level courses. Learn more about SAVHS college-level coursework here. Please direct questions about college-level coursework to your SAVHS counselors.

Some colleges offer opportunities to participate in athletics, clubs and activities in theater, music or the arts.

Learning the College Lingo:

 Before we proceed, let's learn about college lingo. Colleges often throw around terms that may be unfamiliar to you, it is important you recognize the basics. Please use the College Lingo 101 page as a resource. 

What Can you Earn:

• Certificate (1 year program or less)

• Diploma (2 year or less)

• Associate of Applied Science

• Associate of Arts

Transferring Two-Year College Credits.

Students are able to transfer their community college credits to a four-year university. Transferring from a two-year college to a four-year college to complete a four-year degree is becoming more popular amongst students. It is a great way to save money, while getting a great education. In fact 49% of students [3] enrolled in traditional 4-year colleges transferred from a community college.  It is up to the four-year university to decide how your credits will transfer in.

To learn more about being a transfer student, please click here.

DID YOU KNOW?

According to Bigfuture.org, individuals with a two-year degree earn, on average, about 20% more a year compared to individuals with just a high school degree.

Exploring Two-Year Colleges with Xello:

Xello Two-Year College Exploration 

Popular Two-Year Colleges in Minnesota:

Normandale Community College, Bloomington

Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Minneapolis 

Saint Paul College, Saint Paul 

North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park 

Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Coon Rapids
Century College, White Bear Lake