Bemidji State University was founded in 1919 and is a public university. It is located in north central Minnesota about 354 kilometres north of Minneapolis, about 230 kilometres west of the eastern tip of Lake Superior and about 500 kilometres west of Thunder Bay (Ontario). The city of Bemidji, to which the school is adjacent to, is considered the first city on the Mississippi River and is the financial, cultural, and social hub of north central Minnesota. Currently there are over 4,500 students at the school.

Bemidji offers programs in many different disciplines, ranging from accounting, computer science and physics to outdoor education, and wilderness management and outdoor recreation planning.

There are seven residence buildings containing between 150 and 550 students each. While there are no exclusively male or female buildings, there are exclusively male and female floors, as well as co-ed floors in buildings. There are also the Cedar Apartments for families with a separate application procedure.

There is a mandatory orientation program at Bemidji State University for international students. This includes faculty advising sessions, academic assessment and class placement recommendations, ESL assessment, review of immigration regulations, applying for a US social security card, visit with local banking representatives, and registration for classes.

Bemidji State University has an Office of Career Services, which aids students in exploring their career options. Office and Internet resources are available, and workshops are held on-campus.

The school is the smallest university in Minnesota with NCAA Division I sports (men's and women's ice hockey). BSU men compete at the NCAA Division II level in basketball, baseball, football, golf, and track, while women compete at NCAA Division II level in basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track, and volleyball.

The activities that students can participate in athletically include intramural sports. Students can also take advantage of aerobic exercises, a fitness assessment program, and water aerobics.

There are almost 100 academic, social, and special interest clubs and organizations. This includes a Balderdash Society, a Rugby Club, a Runner's Club, a Karate Club, and many others.

Students have access to computer labs and e-mail accounts. Classrooms are enhanced with the latest in technological teaching aids.

Besides the many clubs and actives at the school, students can take advantage of the school's ceramics and print collection, and the photo gallery. Productions are put on by the Department of Speech and Theatre.