About Rasmussen University How it works and what you need
Rasmussen University is a private, non-profit university with multiple locations across the United States. It offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates and diplomas in professional areas, with many programs offered online, on 20 campuses in Minnesota, Illinois, North Dakota, Florida, Wisconsin, and Kansas.
A School on a Mission
Rasmussen University is a higher education institution dedicated to global enrichment and meeting the growing needs of our diverse communities.
We are committed to being a leader in professional education, emphasizing innovative programs, a dynamic curriculum, and general education skills.
We empower our students, faculty, and staff to exceed community expectations through academic excellence, community enrichment, and service to the common good.
Rasmussen University Campus Communities Our Communities
Wherever you find Rasmussen University on campus, you’ll find us actively involved in the community. Whether it’s volunteering our time, providing a meeting space for local organizations, hosting a free virtual career fair for the public, or serving as a hub for local fundraising, we believe in supporting the communities we serve.
Rasmussen University History
Walter Rasmussen founded the school in Stillwater, Minnesota, in 1900 as the Rasmussen Practical School of Business. Rasmussen believed that the local business community was not meeting its need for skilled professionals. With the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, female enrollment at the school began to increase. Walter Rasmussen retired in 1945 and was succeeded by Walter Nemitz as the college’s president. Nemitz had been at the college since 1934 and instituted several curriculum improvements as director. By 1950, more than 22,400 students had graduated from the school.[10] In 1961, Walter’s sons Wilbur Nemitz and Robert Nemitz took over ownership of the school.
In 1974, Rasmussen College acquired St. Cloud Business College, and in 1979, Northern Technical School.
In 1983, the school opened a campus in Mankato, Minnesota. Additional campuses were opened in Eagan, Minnesota (1989), St. Cloud, Minnesota (1997), Rockford, Illinois (2006), Lake Elmo, Minnesota; Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Blaine, Minnesota (2010), Topeka, Kansas (2013), Overland Park, Kansas (2013) and Green Bay, Wisconsin (2007), Mokena-Tinley Park, Illinois (2010) and Wausau, Wisconsin (2010).
In 2001, Rasmussen College was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Rasmussen opened an online campus in 2002. The school acquired Acres College in North Dakota and Webster College in Florida and merged the schools into Rasmussen’s operations.
In 2010, Rasmussen College announced a partnership with Market Motive Inc. and announced Internet marketing programs. Rasmussen was sold to Renovus Capital in 2018.
Rasmussen College became Rasmussen University in October, 2020. That same month, American Public Education, Inc. began the process of acquiring Rasmussen.
Online Degree Programs
Plenty of colleges can say they have online classes—but how many can say they have 20+ years of experience designing and teaching online? Rasmussen University is one of them! You’ll work with faculty specifically trained in online teaching and mentoring, use flexible learning options and virtual labs, work with online academic support teams, and tap into 400,000+ electronic resources.
Education at Your Pace
Empowered Learning®, our competency-based education model, helps you take more control of your learning. Instead of tests, papers, and a standardized schedule, you manage your own pace and create projects that you can see in the workplace. Plus, you’ll still be connected to faculty and peers. Are you ready to show RU what you know?
