University of Minnesota-Twin Cities vs Minnesota State University-Mankato
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 26-point ROI advantage over Minnesota State University-Mankato, scoring 88/100 versus 62/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities comes in at $16,778 per year (net price after aid) versus $19,139 at Minnesota State University-Mankato - a difference of $2,361 annually, or roughly $9,444 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates earn a median of $69,020 compared to $56,922 at Minnesota State University-Mankato. The payback period is 6.1 years at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities versus 9.9 years at Minnesota State University-Mankato.
Graduates leave University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a median $19,500 in debt versus $21,106 at Minnesota State University-Mankato. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.42 and 0.54 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Minnesota-T... | Minnesota State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $17,214 | $9,572 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $38,362 | $18,942 |
| Net Price (avg) | $16,778 | $19,139 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $67,112 | $76,556 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $46,000 | $38,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $69,020 | $56,922 |
| Graduation Rate | 85.3% | 53.9% |
| Payback Period | 6.1 yr | 9.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,500 | $21,106 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $224 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.42 | 0.54 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 81.9% | 82.3% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 78.5% | 77.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 79.8% | 88.4% |
| Enrollment | 31,855 | 11,703 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Minnes... | Minnesota State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $6,642 | $12,339 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,283 | $12,750 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,931 | $15,137 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,415 | $18,921 |
| $110,001+ | $27,008 | $22,798 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Minnes... | Minnesota State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| International Business | $108,566 | $68,079 |
| Construction Management | $91,947 | $102,090 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $98,279 | $74,852 |
| Electrical Engineering | $97,575 | $85,655 |
| Accounting | $96,109 | $73,726 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $90,284 | $70,486 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,061 | $85,286 |
| Marketing | $86,246 | $68,772 |
| Engineering, General | $86,148 | $82,903 |
| Registered Nursing | $82,960 | $82,429 |
| Economics | $82,488 | $80,795 |
| Civil Engineering | $82,281 | $74,989 |
| Mathematics | $81,864 | $70,257 |
| Dental Support Services | $76,078 | $72,882 |
| Human Resources Management | $74,358 | $59,187 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Minnes... | Minnesota State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 90 | 64 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 89 | 62 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 85 | 64 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 93 | 48 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 76 | 77 |
| Overall ROI Score | 88 | 62 |
The Verdict
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities significantly outperforms Minnesota State University-Mankato on financial ROI (88 vs 62). The 26-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Minnesota State University-Mankato 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
Minnesota State University-Mankato
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.