St Olaf College vs University of Minnesota-Crookston: which has better ROI?
University of Minnesota-Crookston has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $48,848 in 5 years versus 5.6 years at St Olaf College, on median earnings of $58,056 vs $65,543 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | St Olaf College | University of Minnesota-Crookston |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,874 | $12,212 |
| Total net cost | $95,496 | $48,848 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $65,543 | $58,056 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $20,500 |
| Payback | 5.6 yrs | 5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $248,164 | $145,072 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, St Olaf College or University of Minnesota-Crookston?
University of Minnesota-Crookston, at $12,212 a year after aid versus $23,874 — a gap of $11,662 a year, or $46,648 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do St Olaf College or University of Minnesota-Crookston graduates earn more?
St Olaf College graduates report a median $65,543 ten years after entry, $7,487 more than the $58,056 at University of Minnesota-Crookston. 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, St Olaf College or University of Minnesota-Crookston?
University of Minnesota-Crookston: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $26,000 at St Olaf College, a difference of $5,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
84% of students finish at St Olaf College, against 50% at University of Minnesota-Crookston. 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.