Minnesota State University-Mankato — ROI, Cost & Payback
Minnesota State University-Mankato charges a net price of $19,139/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $76,556. Graduates earn a median $56,922 ten years after entry, $8,562/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 8.9 years — a 20-year net return of $94,684, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Minnesota State University-Mankato's 8.9-year payback ranks #735 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 43% of them, and #24 of 68 in Minnesota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $19,139/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $76,556 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $56,922 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $8,562/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,106 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 8.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $94,684 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Minnesota State University-Mankato's own numbers. Net price $19,139 × 4 years = $76,556 total. Median earnings $56,922 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $8,562 a year of premium. $76,556 ÷ $8,562 = 8.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $94,684. 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato students graduate with?
A median $21,106 in federal loans among completers, or 37% of the $56,922 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Minnesota State University-Mankato students graduate?
54% finish their degree — 46% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $76,556 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $141,770 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Minnesota State University-Mankato expensive compared with other Minnesota colleges?
Its $19,139 net price runs $2,319 above the $16,821 median across the 68 Minnesota colleges we profile, or $9,274 more across the full degree.