Well known for its location among the scenic Minnesota Northwoods, Bemidji State University has been named one of America’s 30 most-affordable schools for outdoor enthusiasts.

Affordable Schools, which aims to help adults of all ages and backgrounds obtain a high-quality education while avoiding huge college costs, examined out-of-state tuition data from a variety of sources and researched a school’s proximity to natural features such as beaches, mountains and lakes. The list also considered the availability of outdoor-focused recreational clubs and student activities offered at each institution.

Bemidji State was lauded for its excellent value and its location on the shores of Lake Bemidji. The ranking also noted the university’s proximity to Lake Bemidji State Park, calling the park “a haven for mountain bikers, boaters and anglers”, and the Chippewa National Forest. In addition, the 120-mile Paul Bunyan Trail – Minnesota’s longest bike trail – runs through campus.

Bemidji State’s nationally recognized Outdoor Program Center offers students and community members alike with numerous opportunities to experience the natural beauty of northern Minnesota. The center offers equipment rentals throughout the year to support biking, kayaking and boating and a broad assortment of winter activities, and sponsors tours for students to explore natural environments elsewhere in Minnesota and across the country.

Contact
• Mark Morrissey, assistant director of campus recreation, BSU Outdoor Program Center

Links
• 30 Affordable Schools for Outdoor Enthusiasts
• BSU Outdoor Program Center

Bemidji State University, located in northern Minnesota’s lake district, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling nearly 5,000 students, Bemidji State offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and nine graduate programs encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. University signature themes include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and global and multi-cultural understanding.