Normandale Community College vs Bemidji State University: which has better ROI?
Bemidji State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $61,044 in 11.3 years versus 14 years at Normandale Community College, on median earnings of $53,755 vs $50,207 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Normandale Community College | Bemidji State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,972 | $15,261 |
| Total net cost | $25,944 | $61,044 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,207 | $53,755 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $19,750 |
| Payback | 14 yrs | 11.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $10,996 | $46,856 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Normandale Community College or Bemidji State University?
Normandale Community College, at $12,972 a year after aid versus $15,261 — a gap of $2,289 a year, or $35,100 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 Bemidji State University graduates earn more?
Bemidji State University graduates report a median $53,755 ten years after entry, $3,548 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 Bemidji State University?
Normandale Community College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $19,750 at Bemidji State University, a difference of $7,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
48% of students finish at Bemidji State 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.