San Jose State University vs University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
San Jose State University holds a 3-point ROI advantage over University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, scoring 91/100 versus 88/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, San Jose State University comes in at $13,760 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,778 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities - a difference of $3,018 annually, or roughly $12,072 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, San Jose State University graduates earn a median of $78,988 compared to $69,020 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The payback period is 4.4 years at San Jose State University versus 6.1 years at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
Graduates leave San Jose State University with a median $15,000 in debt versus $19,500 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.32 and 0.42 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | San Jose State University | University of Minnesota-T... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $8,410 | $17,214 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $21,010 | $38,362 |
| Net Price (avg) | $13,760 | $16,778 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $55,040 | $67,112 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $47,200 | $46,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $78,988 | $69,020 |
| Graduation Rate | 69.2% | 85.3% |
| Payback Period | 4.4 yr | 6.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $15,000 | $19,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $159 | $207 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.32 | 0.42 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 83.5% | 81.9% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 77.3% | 78.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 84.6% | 79.8% |
| Enrollment | 27,601 | 31,855 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | San Jose State Unive... | University of Minnes... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $9,730 | $6,642 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,114 | $7,283 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $12,099 | $9,931 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,102 | $16,415 |
| $110,001+ | $22,862 | $27,008 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | San Jose State Unive... | University of Minnes... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 90 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 96 | 89 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 93 | 85 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 77 | 93 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 81 | 76 |
| Overall ROI Score | 91 | 88 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. San Jose State University edges out University of Minnesota-Twin Cities by 3 points (91 vs 88), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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San Jose State University
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.