Normandale 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 14 years at Normandale Community College, on median earnings of $50,919 vs $50,207 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Normandale Community College | University of Minnesota-Morris |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,972 | $8,837 |
| Total net cost | $25,944 | $35,348 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,207 | $50,919 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $18,995 |
| Payback | 14 yrs | 13.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $10,996 | $15,832 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Normandale Community College or University of Minnesota-Morris?
University of Minnesota-Morris, at $8,837 a year after aid versus $12,972 — a gap of $4,135 a year, or $9,404 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 University of Minnesota-Morris graduates earn more?
University of Minnesota-Morris graduates report a median $50,919 ten years after entry, $712 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 University of Minnesota-Morris?
Normandale 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 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.