Bemidji State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Bemidji State University charges a net price of $15,261/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $61,044. Graduates earn a median $53,755 ten years after entry, $5,395/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 11.3 years — a 20-year net return of $46,856, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Bemidji State University's 11.3-year payback ranks #841 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 34% of them, and #27 of 68 in Minnesota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $15,261/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $61,044 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $53,755 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $5,395/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,750 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 11.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $46,856 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Bemidji State University's own numbers. Net price $15,261 × 4 years = $61,044 total. Median earnings $53,755 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $5,395 a year of premium. $61,044 ÷ $5,395 = 11.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $46,856. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Bemidji State University students graduate with?
A median $19,750 in federal loans among completers, or 37% of the $53,755 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Bemidji State University students graduate?
48% finish their degree — 52% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $61,044 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $127,175 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Bemidji State University expensive compared with other Minnesota colleges?
Its $15,261 net price runs $1,560 below the $16,821 median across the 68 Minnesota colleges we profile, and $6,238 less across the full degree.