Six campuses, one name: Northeast Minnesota colleges to merge The schools are among the state's smallest. December 22, 2020 — 4:08pm Text size Copy shortlink: After years of declining enrollment and corresponding revenue losses, five community colleges in northeastern Minnesota will combine into one institution. The schools — in Hibbing, Grand Rapids, Virginia/Eveleth, International Falls and Ely — have seen enrollment fall 35% in the past decade and have some of the smallest student populations among the three dozen Minnesota State Colleges and Universities schools. Under the consolidation plan, the six physical campuses will remain (Mesabi Range College has campuses in Virginia and Eveleth) but under the umbrella of a single college, which does not yet have a name. The new college will be operational by fall 2022.