State’s private colleges contribute $1.9 billion to economy, panel hears

Lawmakers are looking to further understand learning opportunities available to graduating high school students attending Minnesota’s nonprofit private colleges.

The House Higher Education and Career Readiness Policy and Finance Committee Tuesday reviewed information regarding students currently enrolled at a nonprofit private college.

A total of 57,700 students attend one of 16 institutions. With a range of 600 to 10,000 students per school, and in the classroom, students enjoy an average student-teacher ratio of 12:1, with fewer than 20 students in a typical classroom.

Each school is its own institution - employing 13,900 in total - and not governed by any larger agency. It is estimated that the colleges add $1.9 billion to the state’s economy.

WATCH ?Full video of Tuesday's meeting of the House Higher Education and Career Readiness Policy and Finance Committee