 He is the product of a one-room schoolhouse and graduated in a class of 13 from high school.Magnuson received his Bachelor of Arts degree in (1959) from Gustavus Adolphus College where he was active in athletics and student government, having served as Class President and Student Body President.He received his Juris Doctor (1963) from William Mitchell College of Law (again Class President) where he attended night law school while employed as assistant registrar, casualty claim adjuster, and law clerk.