Alexandria Technical & Community College vs University of Minnesota-Morris: which has better ROI?
University of Minnesota-Morris has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $35,348 in 13.8 years versus 26.5 years at Alexandria Technical & Community College, on median earnings of $50,919 vs $49,393 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Alexandria Technical & Community College | University of Minnesota-Morris |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,691 | $8,837 |
| Total net cost | $27,382 | $35,348 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,393 | $50,919 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $18,995 |
| Payback | 26.5 yrs | 13.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$6,722 | $15,832 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Alexandria Technical & Community College or University of Minnesota-Morris?
University of Minnesota-Morris, at $8,837 a year after aid versus $13,691 — a gap of $4,854 a year, or $7,966 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Alexandria Technical & Community College or University of Minnesota-Morris graduates earn more?
University of Minnesota-Morris graduates report a median $50,919 ten years after entry, $1,526 more than the $49,393 at Alexandria Technical & Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Alexandria Technical & Community College or University of Minnesota-Morris?
Alexandria Technical & Community College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $18,995 at University of Minnesota-Morris, a difference of $6,995. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at University of Minnesota-Morris, against 60% at Alexandria Technical & Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.