University of Minnesota-Crookston
Crookston, Minnesota · Public · 87.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 75/100 · Strong Value
University of Minnesota-Crookston is a public polytechnic campus of the University of Minnesota system located in the Red River Valley of northwestern Minnesota. With 1,729 students and a flat tuition rate of $13,288 for both in-state and out-of-state students, it is one of the more affordable University of Minnesota pathways. The roiScore of 75 (Strong Value) reflects genuine financial strengths: an 8.2-year payback period, median six-year earnings of $42,500 rising to $58,056 at ten years, and a repayment rate of 85.5% three years out. Low-income students pay as little as $5,758 net — an extraordinary value at a University of Minnesota-branded institution. The primary weakness is the 49.8% completion rate, meaning about half of students do not finish. Program breadth tilts heavily toward business and agriculture, reflecting the institution's regional land-grant heritage. Students seeking a University of Minnesota credential at a fraction of the Twin Cities cost, particularly in agriculture, agribusiness, or business, will find UMN Crookston's financial profile hard to beat.
University of Minnesota-Crookston scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
University of Minnesota-Crookston
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $13,288/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $13,288/yr |
| Average net price | $12,212/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $48,848 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,056 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $42,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $217 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 49.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,729 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Minnesota-Crookston is $13,288/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $12,212/year, or roughly $48,848 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $5,758/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $19,289/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $217 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $58,056 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.48 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,758 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,368 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,587 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,542 |
| $110,001+ | $19,289 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Low-income students (under $30,000 family income) pay an average net price of just $5,758 per year at UMN Crookston — among the lowest of any University of Minnesota campus. Over four years, total net cost is roughly $23,000 against median earnings of $42,500 at six years. This represents an exceptional financial opportunity, particularly for first-generation students from rural Minnesota and neighboring states who qualify for robust state and federal grant aid.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income students in the $48,001–$75,000 bracket pay around $7,587 per year net, totaling approximately $30,000 over four years. Median earnings of $42,500 at six years and $58,056 at ten years produce a payback period well under the institutional average of 8.2 years for this group. The value proposition is strong relative to private competitors charging ten times the net price.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income students ($110,001-plus) pay closer to the full net price of $19,289 per year — about $77,000 over four years. At that cost, the financial return is more modest but still reasonable compared to private nonprofits, especially for students in business or agriculture programs that show strong long-run earnings. The campus's remote location and limited amenities may not satisfy families accustomed to flagship university environments.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Minnesota-Crookston with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $93,969 | C+ |
| Accounting | $65,921 | C |
| Marketing | $63,579 | C+ |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $75,308 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $45,916 | C |
| Finance and Financial Management | $69,866 | C+ |
| Plant Sciences | $59,240 | B |
| Business, General | $101,828 | B |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $52,651 | - |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $53,776 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business, General
Business General graduates report the highest early earnings in the dataset at $82,115 one year out and $101,828 four years out, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.354 (grade B). This is an outstanding result for a public institution at this price point. The cohort of 14 graduates is small, which introduces some statistical noise, but the earnings trajectory is consistent with regional employer demand for business-skilled workers in agriculture and logistics industries.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is the largest program by graduates (72), providing a reliable sample. One-year median earnings of $58,805 grow to $93,969 at four years — strong long-run growth — with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.467 (grade C+). The earnings growth curve suggests employers value UMN Crookston business graduates for advancement over time. Combined with the low net price, this program represents solid value for students willing to invest in a rural campus experience.
Health and Medical Administrative Services
Health administration graduates earn $61,965 at one year and $75,308 at four years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.555 earns a C, partly due to higher median debt of $34,393 — above the institutional average. The program is well-aligned with the growing demand for health-care administrators in rural and regional health systems. Students should compare debt loads carefully and seek graduate assistantship or employer tuition-assistance opportunities.
Plant Sciences
Plant Sciences reflects the campus's land-grant roots. Graduates earn $57,915 at one year with modest debt of $23,793 (ratio 0.411, grade B). Four-year earnings of $59,240 show limited income growth, suggesting early career placement in production agriculture or research assistant roles. For students committed to agronomy or crop science careers in the Red River Valley, this program pairs well with regional employer networks.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology graduates earn $32,429 at one year — the lowest in the portfolio — with median debt of $27,000 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.833 (grade D). At four years earnings rise to $53,190, but the delayed payoff and high initial debt-to-earnings ratio make this the weakest ROI program on campus. Students considering kinesiology should plan for graduate school in physical therapy or athletic training to access higher earning potential.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 76.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 85.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 71.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 80.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 87.9% |
| Enrollment | 1,729 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 20.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,241 |
UMN Crookston admits about 88% of applicants with no reported SAT or ACT ranges, indicating it operates as a largely open-access institution within the University of Minnesota system. Admission itself is not a hurdle; persistence is. Students who arrive with a declared major in a career-focused program and connect early with advising show markedly better outcomes, as reflected in the strong earnings data for business and agriculture graduates.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UMN Crookston's roiScore of 75 places it above peers like Bemidji State University and Minnesota State Mankato on earnings premium and repayment rate, though completion rates at all three institutions remain below 55%. The flat in-/out-of-state tuition is a distinctive advantage over most regional public peers. The University of Minnesota brand affiliation also provides a name-recognition benefit that smaller regional institutions cannot match, potentially aiding in job placement in metro Twin Cities markets.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota-Crookston (this school) | 75 | $12,212 | $58,056 |
| Charter Oak State College | 77 | $15,815 | $64,209 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | 75 | $18,202 | $66,125 |
| University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online | 72 | $10,864 | $66,479 |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | 62 | $19,139 | $56,922 |
| Bemidji State University | 60 | $15,261 | $53,755 |
Who Thrives Here
UMN Crookston fits students who want a University of Minnesota credential and career-oriented programs — especially in agriculture, business, or health administration — at a low price point. The flat in-/out-of-state tuition makes it equally attractive to regional students from North Dakota and other bordering states. Students who need a vibrant campus social scene or a wide range of academic departments may find the small-campus rural setting limiting. The 50% completion rate suggests that students should have a concrete major and career path before enrolling.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of Minnesota-Crookston delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $12,212 per year ($48,848 over four years), graduates earn a median of $58,056 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 8.2 years - a solid return on the investment.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows a 49.8% graduation rate.
Median debt of $20,500 against $58,056 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.