Community & Technical College

Pine Technical and Community College

Pine City, Minnesota

Halfway between the Twin Cities and Duluth along I-35, Pine Technical and Community College gives east-central Minnesota students a close-to-home way into dual enrollment. Pine Tech PSEO combines transfer-ready general education with genuine career and technical programs, all from a compact campus in Pine City that is easy to navigate as a first-time college student.

GPA Requirements

Juniors (11th Grade)

3.0 GPA
ORTop 33% Class

Seniors (12th Grade)

2.5 GPA
ORTop 50% Class Rank

Program Details

Accepts 10th GradersYes (CTE only)
CTE Courses AvailableYes
Term Systemsemester

About the PSEO program

Halfway between the Twin Cities and Duluth along I-35, Pine Technical and Community College gives east-central Minnesota students a close-to-home way into dual enrollment. Pine Tech PSEO combines transfer-ready general education with genuine career and technical programs, all from a compact campus in Pine City that is easy to navigate as a first-time college student.

Sophomores get a real shot here. Tenth graders with a 3.0 GPA, a top 10 percent class rank, or a 90th percentile national test score can start PSEO early — though state law limits them to CTE courses, and Pine Tech's own rule caps first-semester 10th graders at one CTE course. Juniors qualify at 3.0 and seniors at 2.5, each with class-rank alternatives.

Program logistics matter at a college this size: for 2026-27, Construction Technology runs as a full-time-only cohort for PSEO students, so it is an all-in commitment rather than a class you sample. Completed NOSR forms go to the college's PSEO inbox or the Admissions Office, and the dual enrollment office is responsive to questions before you apply.

Why choose Pine Technical and Community College for PSEO

A defined on-ramp for sophomores

Pine Tech publishes clear 10th-grade criteria — 3.0 GPA, top 10 percent rank, or 90th percentile test score — where many colleges leave sophomores guessing.

Both transfer and technical tracks

One campus covers MNTC general education for university-bound students and hands-on CTE for students headed into skilled careers.

Small campus, low intimidation factor

Pine Tech's size makes it a manageable first college experience — easy parking, findable offices, and staff who learn your name.

Reachable from a wide I-35 corridor

Pine City sits on the freeway between the metro and Duluth, and online sections extend access to students beyond commuting range.

Programs & courses

  • Construction Technology

    Offered to PSEO students as a full-time-only cohort in 2026-27 — an immersive path for students serious about the building trades.

  • Career and technical education courses

    Pine Tech's CTE catalog is the entry point for eligible 10th graders, who may take one CTE course in their first semester under the college's policy.

  • Minnesota Transfer Curriculum general education

    Writing, math, science, and social science courses that satisfy MNTC goal areas for students planning to transfer to a university.

  • Associate degree coursework

    Juniors starting PSEO full time can accumulate credits toward an associate degree across their last four high school semesters.

Campus & getting there

Pine Tech's campus is in Pine City, right off Interstate 35 about an hour north of the Twin Cities metro and an hour south of Duluth. That freeway position makes it the natural college for students in Pine City, Hinckley, Rush City, Mora, Sandstone, and the surrounding east-central Minnesota districts. For students farther out, Pine Tech offers online course sections that can substitute for or supplement campus classes, though hands-on technical programs like Construction Technology require regular time on site.

Will my credits transfer?

General education at Pine Tech follows the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, so those credits are honored across Minnesota State universities and the University of Minnesota. Students who complete a Transfer Pathway associate degree can enter a Minnesota State university with junior standing. Technical coursework — construction, trades, and other CTE credits — applies toward Pine Tech's own certificates, diplomas, and degrees and transfers into related programs at other technical colleges, so know which track you are on before loading your schedule.

Pine Technical and Community College PSEO FAQ

Sophomores need a 3.0 GPA, a top 10 percent class rank, or a 90th percentile score on a nationally standardized test. Juniors need a 3.0 GPA or top 33 percent rank. Seniors need a 2.5 GPA or top 50 percent rank. Any one qualifying measure is enough for your grade level.

Check Your Eligibility

See if you meet the requirements for Pine Technical and Community College.

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Important Dates

Fall NotificationMay 30
Spring NotificationOctober 30