Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo - Hilcrest Academy's main classroom building is a traditional boarding school. Boasting near 100 years of serving families with college preparatory education, Hillcrest's outlook is bright for the future with increasing enrollment year-over-year for the past 5 years.

Best Minnesota Boarding Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 8 college-prep and junior boarding schools serving 2,256 students located throughout Minnesota.

Historical Statistics Overview

This State (MN)
US
# Schools
7 Schools
271 Schools
# Students
2,256 Students
107,111 Students

Academics and Faculty

This State (MN)
US
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
8:1
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
65%
69%

Academic Programs

This State (MN)
US
Avg. AP Courses
14
22
Avg. IB Courses
n/a
28
Avg. Class Size
16
13

Academic Performance

This State (MN)
US
Avg. SAT Score
1260
1270
Avg. ACT Score
26
27
Avg. Acceptance Rate
84%
59%

Tuition and Finances

This State (MN)
US
Avg. Tuition (Boarding)
$34,616
$64,480
Avg. Tuition (Day)
$16,409
$38,054
Avg. Tuition (International)
$41,564
$62,481
Avg. Financial Aid Rate
45%
42%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$10,667
$26,973
Avg. Endowment
$7 MM
$83 MM

Student Diversity

This State (MN)
US
% Students of Color
24%
30%
% International Students
25%
27%
% Boarding Students
34%
59%

Top Minnesota Boarding Schools (2026-27)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Cotter Schools
Cotter Schools Photo
(Catholic)
1115 West Broadway Street
Winona, MN 55987
(507) 453-5102
Gr: 7-12 | PK-12 (day) | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Avg. class size: 16 students Acceptance rate: 85% Tuition listed
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Photo - Hillcrest started in 1916 out of the Bible school movement in America at the turn of the century. For the past 100 years Hillcrest has served families from nearly every continent and throughout the United States with a comprehensive boarding school program that disciples students and equips them for their next stages in life.
(Christian)
(5)
610 Hillcrest Dr.
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
(218) 739-3371
Gr: 10-12 | PK-12 (day) | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Avg. class size: 13 students Acceptance rate: 70% Tuition listed
6385 Beach Rd
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
(952) 918-1800
Gr: 8-12 | PK-12 (day) | 320 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Tuition listed
Marshall School
Marshall School Photo - The beautiful 42-acre campus provides outdoor learning, recreation, and incredible views of Lake Superior, the world's largest natural lake.
(2)
1215 Rice Lake Rd
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 727-7266
Gr: 8-12 | K-12 (day) | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition listed
Pillsbury College Prep
Pillsbury College Prep Photo
315 South Grove Avenue
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 214-2200
Gr: 6-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Acceptance rate: 85% Tuition listed
315 S. Grove Ave.
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 214-2200
Gr: 6-12 Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Avg. class size: 8 students Acceptance rate: 90% Tuition listed
St. Croix Academy
St. Croix Academy Photo - St. Croix's lakeside family-style dormitory was built in 2015 and is located on a beautiful lake with walkways to the Mississippi River and within walking distance of over 50 shops and restaurants.
(Christian)
1200 Oakdale Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55118
(651) 455-1521
Gr: 6-12 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Avg. class size: 20 students Tuition listed
Saint John's Preparatory School
Saint John's Preparatory School Photo - We are located on 2900 of woodlands and lakes in Collegeville, MN
(Catholic)
2280 Watertower Road
Collegeville, MN 56321
(320) 363-3315
Gr: 8-12, PG | 6-12, PG (day) | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Avg. class size: 18 students Acceptance rate: 88% Tuition listed

Frequently Asked Questions

How many boarding schools are located in Minnesota?
There are 8 college-preparatory boarding schools located in Minnesota.
What is the average tuition cost of boarding school in Minnesota?
The average Minnesota boarding school tuition cost is $30,914 per year.
What is the oldest boarding school in Minnesota?
Saint John's Preparatory School, founded in 1857, is the oldest boarding school in Minnesota.
What boarding school in Minnesota has the lowest acceptance rates?
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy has the lowest boarding school acceptance rate (70%) in Minnesota.
What boarding school in Minnesota has the highest average SAT scores?
Saint John's Preparatory School has the highest average SAT scores (1373) in Minnesota.
Which boarding schools in Minnesota are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of boarding schools in Minnesota include: Marshall School vs. The International School of Minnesota (ISM)

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