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University of Minnesota-Crookston vs Saint Mary's University of Minnesota: which has better ROI?

Public, Crookston MN · vs · Private nonprofit, Winona MN

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $46,816 in 4.8 years versus 5 years at University of Minnesota-Crookston, on median earnings of $58,170 vs $58,056 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Minnesota-CrookstonSaint Mary's University of Minnesota
Net price / yr$12,212$11,704
Total net cost$48,848$46,816
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,056$58,170
Median debt$20,500$21,500
Payback5 yrs4.8 yrs
20-year net return$145,072$149,384

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

Which is cheaper, University of Minnesota-Crookston or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, at $11,704 a year after aid versus $12,212 — a gap of $508 a year, or $2,032 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Minnesota-Crookston or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates earn more?

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates report a median $58,170 ten years after entry, $114 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, University of Minnesota-Crookston or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?

University of Minnesota-Crookston: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

66% of students finish at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, 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.

University of Minnesota-Crookston vs Saint Mary's University of Minnesota: frequently asked questions

Is University of Minnesota-Crookston or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota a better value?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. It clears its $46,816 net cost in about 4.8 years versus 5 years at University of Minnesota-Crookston, on median earnings of $58,170 vs $58,056 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Minnesota-Crookston or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota: $11,704/yr net price after aid versus $12,212/yr at University of Minnesota-Crookston — a difference of $508 a year, or about $2,032 over four years.
Do University of Minnesota-Crookston or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates earn more?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates earn a median $58,170 ten years after entry, versus $58,056 at University of Minnesota-Crookston — a $114 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.