University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, Minnesota · Public · 79.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 88/100 · Strong Value
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities earns a CampusROI score of 88 (Strong Value tier) -- one of the highest in the dataset and a clear demonstration of the public-flagship value proposition done well. In-state tuition is $17,214, out-of-state $38,362, with a net price of $16,778 -- impressively low for an R1 flagship. Median earnings reach $46,000 at six years and $69,020 at ten years, with a tight 6.1-year payback period (subscore 89). Every subscore is in healthy territory: earnings premium 90 (raw 0.507), debt-to-earnings 85 (with low $19,500 median debt against $46,000 in earnings yielding a 0.424 ratio), completion 93 (85.3% completion rate -- exceptional for a large public), and three-year repayment 76. UMN-Twin Cities enrolls 31,855 undergraduates with a 17.7% Pell rate, signaling a moderately wealthier student body that nonetheless includes meaningful need-based aid recipients. The school's deep program mix in engineering, computer science, business, and health sciences delivers a Big-Ten flagship's full value -- this is the model state-flagship outcome.
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $17,214/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $38,362/yr |
| Average net price | $16,778/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $67,112 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $69,020 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $46,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $207 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 85.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 31,855 |
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-Twin Cities is $17,214/year ($38,362/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $16,778/year, or roughly $67,112 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $6,642/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $27,008/year.
The median graduate leaves with $19,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $207 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $69,020 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.42 - 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 | $6,642 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,283 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,931 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,415 |
| $110,001+ | $27,008 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-30,000 pay just $6,642 per year, totaling about $26,568 over four years -- an extraordinarily strong low-income value. With $46,000 in early-career earnings and 85.3% completion, Pell-eligible Minnesota residents see exceptional ROI. UMN's institutional aid model genuinely cushions the lowest-income students.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-75,000) pay $9,931 per year, about $39,724 over four years. With $69,020 in ten-year median earnings, the math is comfortable across most majors. Engineering and CS tracks produce year-one earnings clearing $70K-$85K, making the four-year math exceptionally favorable for STEM students.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $27,008 per year -- about $108,032 over four years -- nearly at the out-of-state sticker. Even at this price, the strong wage outcomes ($69K median at ten years, with engineering tracks pushing $90K+) and 85.3% completion justify the cost for academically prepared students. Full-pay families should still compare against home-state flagships.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $111,661 | A |
| Psychology | $58,449 | C |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $60,270 | C+ |
| Finance and Financial Management | $98,279 | B+ |
| Biology | $63,132 | C |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $64,629 | D |
| Economics | $82,488 | B |
| Marketing | $86,246 | B |
| Education, Other | $67,795 | B |
| International Relations | $65,487 | 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.
Computer Science
Computer Science is UMN's largest STEM program with 612 graduates per year, year-one earnings of $82,861, and four-year earnings of $111,661. Median debt of just $19,500 produces a remarkable 0.235 debt-to-earnings ratio and an A ROI grade. The Twin Cities tech ecosystem (Target, Best Buy, 3M, plus the Medtronic/UnitedHealth corridor) absorbs most graduates at top wages. This is one of the strongest CS ROI snapshots in the entire dataset.
Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering produces 81 graduates per year with year-one earnings of $85,672 -- among the highest in the dataset -- climbing to $119,781 at year four. Median debt of $23,000 yields a 0.268 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B+ ROI grade. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul tech corridor's growing demand for hardware and embedded-systems engineers drives these wages. Strong fundamentals across the board.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance is UMN's largest business program with 339 graduates per year. Year-one earnings of $69,094 climb to $98,279 at year four. Median debt of $21,500 yields a 0.311 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B+ ROI grade. The Carlson School of Management's strong reputation drives placement into Twin Cities banking (Wells Fargo, US Bank), Target Corp finance, and Midwest investment-banking pipelines.
Registered Nursing
Nursing produces 136 graduates per year with year-one earnings of $72,929 climbing to $82,960 at year four. Median debt of $21,500 yields a 0.295 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B+ ROI grade. The Twin Cities healthcare market (Mayo, M Health Fairview, Allina) absorbs graduates at strong wages with clinical-advancement infrastructure. Reliable strong-ROI bet.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering produces 187 graduates per year with year-one earnings of $73,433 and four-year earnings of $90,061. Median debt of $22,077 produces a 0.301 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B+ ROI grade. UMN's engineering school feeds Minnesota's manufacturing and medical-device sector (3M, Polaris, Medtronic) with consistently strong placement and wage trajectories.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 79.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 81.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 78.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 80.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 79.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 660-770 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 640-730 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 26-31 |
| Enrollment | 31,855 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 17.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $13,662 |
UMN admits 79.8% of applicants -- moderately selective for a flagship, with the high admit rate reflecting Minnesota's broad-access mission. SAT 25-75 mid-ranges are 660-770 math and 640-730 reading, with ACT 25-75 of 26-31 -- strong scores putting admitted students in the upper national quartile. The combination of relatively high admit rate with strong test scores tells the Big-Ten flagship story: large entering classes that are academically prepared, supported through the high 85.3% completion rate. Selectivity is doing real screening work here.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UMN's peer set includes Bemidji State University, Minnesota State University-Mankato, Indiana University Bloomington, University of Colorado Boulder, and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. Bemidji State and Mankato are Minnesota State system schools with much smaller ROI (typically 40-50 range). Indiana University Bloomington and CU Boulder are the closest Big-Ten/PAC-12 flagship peers; UMN's ROI of 88 outperforms both. Cal Poly Pomona is a strong polytechnic comp. Within the Big-Ten and major public-flagship cohort nationally, UMN's combination of low net price, high completion, and strong engineering/CS earnings places it among the top-tier public ROI institutions.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (this school) | 88 | $16,778 | $69,020 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | 89 | $11,531 | $71,902 |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | 84 | $16,264 | $63,742 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | 80 | $25,346 | $69,738 |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | 62 | $19,139 | $56,922 |
| Bemidji State University | 60 | $15,261 | $53,755 |
Who Thrives Here
UMN-Twin Cities fits academically prepared students seeking a large public research university with deep program breadth at urban Minneapolis-Saint Paul scale (31,855 undergraduates). The 17.7% Pell rate signals a moderately wealthier student body but with strong institutional commitment to need-based aid. Strong-fit students span an enormous range -- from engineering and CS to humanities to agriculture and health sciences. The 85.3% completion rate signals a well-supported student experience. For Minnesota residents, this is among the most defensible four-year college choices in the country; for non-residents, the comparison shopping should weigh against home-state flagships.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $16,778 per year ($67,112 over four years), graduates earn a median of $69,020 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.1 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 85.3% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $19,500 is very manageable against $69,020 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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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.