University of Minnesota-Duluth — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Minnesota-Duluth charges a net price of $18,743/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $74,972. Graduates earn a median $62,616 ten years after entry, $14,256/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5.3 years — a 20-year net return of $210,148, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Minnesota-Duluth's 5.3-year payback ranks #459 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 64% of them, and #11 of 68 in Minnesota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $18,743/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $74,972 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $62,616 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $14,256/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,024 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 5.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $210,148 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Minnesota-Duluth's own numbers. Net price $18,743 × 4 years = $74,972 total. Median earnings $62,616 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $14,256 a year of premium. $74,972 ÷ $14,256 = 5.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $210,148. 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth students graduate with?
A median $22,024 in federal loans among completers, or 35% of the $62,616 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Minnesota-Duluth students graduate?
65% finish their degree — 35% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $74,972 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $115,342 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Minnesota-Duluth expensive compared with other Minnesota colleges?
Its $18,743 net price runs $1,923 above the $16,821 median across the 68 Minnesota colleges we profile, or $7,690 more across the full degree.