University of Minnesota-Twin Cities vs California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
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 and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona are closely matched on financial return. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities scores 88/100 while California State Polytechnic University-Pomona scores 89/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona comes in at $11,531 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,778 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities - a difference of $5,247 annually, or roughly $20,988 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates earn a median of $71,902 compared to $69,020 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The payback period is 6.1 years at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities versus 5 years at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.
Graduates leave California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with a median $16,000 in debt versus $19,500 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.42 and 0.37 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Minnesota-T... | California State Polytech... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $17,214 | $7,780 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $38,362 | $20,380 |
| Net Price (avg) | $16,778 | $11,531 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $67,112 | $46,124 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $46,000 | $42,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $69,020 | $71,902 |
| Graduation Rate | 85.3% | 68.4% |
| Payback Period | 6.1 yr | 5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,500 | $16,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $170 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.42 | 0.37 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 81.9% | 81.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 78.5% | 77.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 79.8% | 75.2% |
| Enrollment | 31,855 | 25,042 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Minnes... | California State Pol... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $6,642 | $7,851 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,283 | $8,433 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,931 | $10,734 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,415 | $13,894 |
| $110,001+ | $27,008 | $20,716 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Minnes... | California State Pol... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $119,781 | $100,673 |
| Computer Science | $111,661 | $103,494 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $92,422 | $106,171 |
| Electrical Engineering | $97,575 | $103,924 |
| Chemical Engineering | $92,946 | $102,849 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,061 | $99,148 |
| Civil Engineering | $82,281 | $97,790 |
| Industrial Engineering | $92,241 | $95,835 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $90,284 | $70,954 |
| Physics | $80,025 | $87,856 |
| Economics | $82,488 | $61,084 |
| Mathematics | $81,864 | $63,059 |
| Architecture | $62,246 | $76,969 |
| Food Science and Technology | $70,705 | $75,601 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $60,715 | $73,305 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Minnes... | California State Pol... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 90 | 97 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 89 | 93 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 85 | 90 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 93 | 75 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 76 | 75 |
| Overall ROI Score | 88 | 89 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona edges out University of Minnesota-Twin Cities by 1 points (89 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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University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
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.