Lake Bemidji runs along the edge of campus, and the giant statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox stand on the shore a short walk away. Bemidji State is a public university in northern Minnesota, founded in 1919. It's strongest in biology and environmental science, business, criminal justice and teacher education. Winters are long and properly cold. Summers happen on the water.
Bemidji, Minnesota, United States
Official website: bemidjistate.edu
1919
Public university, Minnesota State system
On the shore of Lake Bemidji
$9,500 – $12,000
International students, undergraduate tuition and fees
$9,500 – $12,500
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on bemidjistate.edu before you apply.
BS Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Biology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Environmental Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Criminal Justice
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
MS Biology
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
A lakeshore campus with its own waterfront.
Aquatic biology and field work in the northern lakes.
Low public tuition.
Graduates work in natural resources, business and public services across Minnesota.
Science graduates join state agencies, labs and conservation groups.
F-1 graduates can apply for OPT after their degree.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Limited
Bemidji is a small city near the headwaters of the Mississippi, ringed by lakes and pine forest. Downtown is an easy walk from campus.
Rent is low. Winters bring deep snow and temperatures well below zero, so a proper coat and boots come first. Minneapolis is about four hours south by car.
Form I-20 issued by Bemidji State University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Bemidji State reviews international applications on a rolling basis. Apply by early summer for fall and by autumn for spring, which leaves time for the I-20 and the visa.
Most students start in August. Many programmes also accept students in January.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from Bemidji State University first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Business administration, biology, environmental science and criminal justice are popular. Undergraduates need secondary school completion and TOEFL 61 or IELTS 6.0. The biology master's asks for a relevant bachelor's degree and a supervisor willing to take you on.
Bemidji State offers some scholarships and tuition awards to international students. Tuition is already low, so the total cost stays modest.
