2026 Guide to Accredited Online Colleges Near Albert Lea, Minnesota
Are you near Albert Lea, Minnesota looking for an accredited college or university where you can earn a degree online? Start your search with the Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide.
This guide makes it easy for you to learn about accredited schools offering online degrees near Albert Lea, Minnesota, including details about each institution's accreditation history, as well as insight into institutional and programmatic accreditation. You'll also find other helpful information about accredited online colleges near Albert Lea, Minnesota, including cost, program completions and online availability.
Accreditation information provided reflects the recognized state approval agencies, as well as institutional and programmatic accrediting bodies from the U.S. Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP). Accreditation information listed for each institution may not be comprehensive or complete. Please contact the appropriate agency for the most accurate and current accreditation information. Click here to learn more about the guide.
What is Accreditation & Why Does it Matter?
Make sure the time and money you invest in your education is well spent by doing your research on accreditation. Accreditation is validation that the degree you're earning meets acceptable levels of quality. In the United States, accreditation is granted by accrediting organizations, as well as state and federal governmental agencies.
Institutional and programmatic are two main types of accreditation.
Accreditation: Institutional vs. Programmatic
Institutional Accreditation
Granted as a result of a voluntary examination of a school's academic and organizational structure.
What it Impacts:
- Financial Aid
- Corporate Tuition Reimbursement
- Credit Transfer
Programmatic Accreditation
Focuses on a specific department or program/field of study.
What it Impacts:
- Licensure
- Certification
- Employment
Sponsored
Accredited College Providing Quality Online Degrees for Students
Nonprofit and dedicated to student success, Franklin University was founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, to provide high-quality academic programs aligned with workforce needs. Franklin demonstrates its quality through institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and programmatic accreditation for educator preparation (CAEP), nursing (CCNE) and specific business (IACBE) programs. In addition, the University is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security for its cybersecurity programs.
About these Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission
Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
Franklin University has been designated as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense since 2019, by the National Security Agency and its federal partners. Our B.S. in Cybersecurity received the program of study designation in 2019 and the M.S. in Cybersecurity program was designated in 2024. These designations were awarded as a result of a thorough investigation into the University's cybersecurity curriculum, faculty credentials, and competence in research and student involvement in cybersecurity activities.
For more information about the National Security Agency's Centers of Academic Excellence, please click here and for more information about the CAE Community, please click here.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, post-graduate APRN certificates, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Franklin University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
The H.K. & Eva James College of Education at Franklin University holds accreditation for its initial-level educator preparation programs through June 2027 from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 223-0077. The following bachelor's degree and post-baccalaureate initial-level licensure programs were included in the CAEP accreditation review: Adolescence to Young Adult Education, Intervention Specialist: Mild-Moderate, Middle Childhood Education, and Primary Education.
For more information about the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, please click here.
International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
The Ross College of Business at Franklin University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please view our IACBE member status page.
Click here to see our IACBE Public Disclosure of Student Achievement.
For more information about the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, please click here or visit www.iacbe.org.
Find Franklin Programs With Programmatic Accreditation:

Bachelor's Degrees:
Associate Degrees:
Master's Degrees:
Doctoral Degrees:
Programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education are committed to continuous assessment and improvement, which results in graduates that are in-tune with current thinking and best practices in business around the world.

Bachelor's Degrees:
Accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation signifies that teacher preparation programs meet national standards for ensuring that graduates are equipped with the skills to be effective classroom teachers.

Designation by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Excellence in Cyber Defense Education validates an institution’s quality and commitment to producing highly-qualified cybersecurity professionals.

Master's Degrees:
Doctoral Degrees:
Post-Graduate Certificates:
Through a peer-review accreditation process, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education holds U.S. nursing programs to a common quality standard as they prepare nurses for certification, employment and advanced education.
97% of graduating students believe their Franklin degree will help or has already helped them achieve their goals.
Source: Graduating Student Survey
Accredited 4-Year Private Nonprofit Online Colleges & Universities Near Albert Lea, Minnesota
Institutional Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission is the institutional accreditor for Franklin University. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1976. The latest accreditation action concerning Franklin University occurred in 2026 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Franklin University from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Franklin University are adults and all programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2024, 98 associate degrees, 1,602 bachelor's degrees, 840 master's degrees and 65 doctoral degrees were completed at Franklin University.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
Franklin University has programmatic accreditation for 46 of its academic programs including accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education for nursing degree and post-graduate certificate programs, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation for initial-level licensure programs, and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education for specific business and accounting programs. In addition, the University has been designated as a Center of Excellence in Cyber Defense for its cybersecurity programs by the National Security Agency and its federal partners.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Franklin University was $9,577 in 2024 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $12,060. A total of 2,605 degrees were completed at Franklin University in Franklin University.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$9,577
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$12,060
Completions By Degree
2,605
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Online Completions by Program Area
Accredited 4-Year Private For-Profit Online Colleges & Universities Near Albert Lea, Minnesota
Institutional Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission is the institutional accreditor for Waldorf University. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1948. The latest accreditation action concerning Waldorf University occurred in 2026 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Waldorf University from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Waldorf University are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and all programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2024, 130 associate degrees, 588 bachelor's degrees, 196 master's degrees and 0 doctoral degrees were completed at Waldorf University.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), Waldorf University has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 1 of its academic programs, by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Waldorf University was $25,220 in 2024 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $5,220. A total of 914 degrees were completed at Waldorf University in Waldorf University.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$25,220
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$5,220
Completions By Degree
914
Est. Online Degree Availability
98%
Online Completions by Program Area
Accredited 4-Year Public Online Colleges & Universities Near Albert Lea, Minnesota
Institutional Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission is the institutional accreditor for Minnesota State University-Mankato. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1940. The latest accreditation action concerning Minnesota State University-Mankato occurred in 2026 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Minnesota State University-Mankato from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Minnesota State University-Mankato are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2024, 76 associate degrees, 2,628 bachelor's degrees, 603 master's degrees and 31 doctoral degrees were completed at Minnesota State University-Mankato.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), Minnesota State University-Mankato has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 6 of its academic programs, including accreditation by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University-Mankato was $9,490 in 2024 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $10,030. A total of 3,338 degrees were completed at Minnesota State University-Mankato in Minnesota State University-Mankato.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$9,490
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$10,030
Completions By Degree
3,338
Est. Online Degree Availability
22%
Online Completions by Program Area
Accredited 2-Year Public Schools Offering Online Near Albert Lea, Minnesota Including Community Colleges
Institutional Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission is the institutional accreditor for Riverland Community College. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1996. The latest accreditation action concerning Riverland Community College occurred in 2026 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Riverland Community College from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Riverland Community College are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2024, 405 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees and 0 doctoral degrees were completed at Riverland Community College.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), Riverland Community College has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 3 of its academic programs, including accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Riverland Community College was $6,249 in 2024 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $0. A total of 405 degrees were completed at Riverland Community College in Riverland Community College.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$6,249
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$0
Completions By Degree
405
Est. Online Degree Availability
69%
Online Completions by Program Area
Institutional Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission is the institutional accreditor for North Iowa Area Community College. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1919. The latest accreditation action concerning North Iowa Area Community College occurred in 2026 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for North Iowa Area Community College from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend North Iowa Area Community College are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2024, 508 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees and 0 doctoral degrees were completed at North Iowa Area Community College.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), North Iowa Area Community College has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 2 of its academic programs, including accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and the American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at North Iowa Area Community College was $6,436 in 2024 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $0. A total of 508 degrees were completed at North Iowa Area Community College in North Iowa Area Community College.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$6,436
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$0
Completions By Degree
508
Est. Online Degree Availability
6%
Online Completions by Program Area
Institutional Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission is the institutional accreditor for South Central College. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1995. The latest accreditation action concerning South Central College occurred in 2026 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for South Central College from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend South Central College are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2024, 444 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees and 0 doctoral degrees were completed at South Central College.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), South Central College has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 3 of its academic programs, including accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at South Central College was $6,146 in 2024 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $0. A total of 444 degrees were completed at South Central College in South Central College.