University of Minnesota-Twin Cities vs Bemidji State University
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
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities holds a 28-point ROI advantage over Bemidji State University, scoring 88/100 versus 60/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Bemidji State University comes in at $15,261 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,778 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities - a difference of $1,517 annually, or roughly $6,068 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates earn a median of $69,020 compared to $53,755 at Bemidji State University. The payback period is 6.1 years at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities versus 10.7 years at Bemidji State University.
Graduates leave University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a median $19,500 in debt versus $19,750 at Bemidji State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.42 and 0.53 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Minnesota-T... | Bemidji State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $17,214 | $10,237 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $38,362 | $10,237 |
| Net Price (avg) | $16,778 | $15,261 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $67,112 | $61,044 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $46,000 | $37,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $69,020 | $53,755 |
| Graduation Rate | 85.3% | 47.9% |
| Payback Period | 6.1 yr | 10.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,500 | $19,750 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $209 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.42 | 0.53 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 81.9% | 80.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 78.5% | 69.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 79.8% | 56.0% |
| Enrollment | 31,855 | 3,139 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Minnes... | Bemidji State Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $6,642 | $10,073 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,283 | $10,207 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,931 | $12,201 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,415 | $15,857 |
| $110,001+ | $27,008 | $19,940 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Minnes... | Bemidji State Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | $96,109 | $72,153 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $90,284 | $64,086 |
| Registered Nursing | $82,960 | $84,436 |
| Biology | $63,132 | $50,548 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $62,414 | $54,642 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $60,931 | $57,357 |
| Psychology | $58,449 | $49,116 |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $56,916 | $49,001 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $54,799 | $47,137 |
| Teacher Education | $53,276 | $44,719 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $50,106 | $45,822 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Minnes... | Bemidji State Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 90 | 68 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 89 | 57 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 85 | 66 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 93 | 34 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 76 | 73 |
| Overall ROI Score | 88 | 60 |
The Verdict
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities significantly outperforms Bemidji State University on financial ROI (88 vs 60). The 28-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Bemidji State University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
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University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Bemidji State University
Fair 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.