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Normandale Community College vs Augsburg University: which has better ROI?

Public, Bloomington MN · vs · Private nonprofit, Minneapolis MN

The verdict

Augsburg University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $95,492 in 9.1 years versus 14 years at Normandale Community College, on median earnings of $58,829 vs $50,207 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNormandale Community CollegeAugsburg University
Net price / yr$12,972$23,873
Total net cost$25,944$95,492
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,207$58,829
Median debt$12,000$25,347
Payback14 yrs9.1 yrs
20-year net return$10,996$113,888

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Normandale Community College or Augsburg University?

Normandale Community College, at $12,972 a year after aid versus $23,873 — a gap of $10,901 a year, or $69,548 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Normandale Community College or Augsburg University graduates earn more?

Augsburg University graduates report a median $58,829 ten years after entry, $8,622 more than the $50,207 at Normandale 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, Normandale Community College or Augsburg University?

Normandale Community College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $25,347 at Augsburg University, a difference of $13,347. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

52% of students finish at Augsburg University, against 27% at Normandale 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.

Normandale Community College vs Augsburg University: frequently asked questions

Is Normandale Community College or Augsburg University a better value?
Augsburg University. It clears its $95,492 net cost in about 9.1 years versus 14 years at Normandale Community College, on median earnings of $58,829 vs $50,207 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Normandale Community College or Augsburg University?
Normandale Community College: $12,972/yr net price after aid versus $23,873/yr at Augsburg University — a difference of $10,901 a year, or about $69,548 over four years.
Do Normandale Community College or Augsburg University graduates earn more?
Augsburg University graduates earn a median $58,829 ten years after entry, versus $50,207 at Normandale Community College — a $8,622 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.