Carleton College vs University of Minnesota-Rochester: which has better ROI?
University of Minnesota-Rochester has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $54,976 in 2.7 years versus 3.7 years at Carleton College, on median earnings of $69,020 vs $75,525 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Carleton College | University of Minnesota-Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,407 | $13,744 |
| Total net cost | $101,628 | $54,976 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $75,525 | $69,020 |
| Median debt | $16,750 | $19,500 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 2.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $441,672 | $358,224 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Carleton College or University of Minnesota-Rochester?
University of Minnesota-Rochester, at $13,744 a year after aid versus $25,407 — a gap of $11,663 a year, or $46,652 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Carleton College or University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates earn more?
Carleton College graduates report a median $75,525 ten years after entry, $6,505 more than the $69,020 at University of Minnesota-Rochester. 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, Carleton College or University of Minnesota-Rochester?
Carleton College: its completers carry a median $16,750 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University of Minnesota-Rochester, a difference of $2,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
90% of students finish at Carleton College, against 57% at University of Minnesota-Rochester. 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.