Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University (BSU) was founded in 1919 in the small town of Bemidji, Minnesota as a teacher training college.

The University opened under the name Bemidji State Normal School and its first class comprised just 38 students. After changing the name to Bemidji State Teachers College and then just Bemidji State College, in 1975 the name was changed to the current Bemidji State University in recognition of its growing role as a multi-purpose educational institution. 

Today BMU is home to over 5,000 students and offers a range of degrees, baccalaureates and other qualifications. Despite its relatively small size BSU has a diverse student body with people of over 40 different nationalities choosing to study there.

The BSU campus is situated in a beautiful spot on the western shores of Lake Bemidji dotted with stands of pine and oak trees. Proximity to the lake and nearby woods means there is plenty of choice for those who enjoy outdoor activities. Winters get cold in northern Minnesota but the campus provides everything students need – as well as academic, administrative and accommodation buildings there are also student lounges, a convenience store, book store, arts complex and cultural centre – all handily connected by heated underground tunnels.

Facilities for international students include an English Language Centre on campus offering classes and one-on-one tutoring. There is also the International Program Centre with staff on hand to help foreign students through every step of their journey at BSU.