University of Minnesota-Duluth vs Gustavus Adolphus College: which has better ROI?
Gustavus Adolphus College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,600 in 5.3 years versus 5.3 years at University of Minnesota-Duluth, on median earnings of $65,607 vs $62,616 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Minnesota-Duluth | Gustavus Adolphus College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,743 | $22,900 |
| Total net cost | $74,972 | $91,600 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,616 | $65,607 |
| Median debt | $22,024 | $26,774 |
| Payback | 5.3 yrs | 5.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $210,148 | $253,340 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Minnesota-Duluth or Gustavus Adolphus College?
University of Minnesota-Duluth, at $18,743 a year after aid versus $22,900 — a gap of $4,157 a year, or $16,628 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-Duluth or Gustavus Adolphus College graduates earn more?
Gustavus Adolphus College graduates report a median $65,607 ten years after entry, $2,991 more than the $62,616 at University of Minnesota-Duluth. 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-Duluth or Gustavus Adolphus College?
University of Minnesota-Duluth: its completers carry a median $22,024 in federal loans versus $26,774 at Gustavus Adolphus College, a difference of $4,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Gustavus Adolphus College, against 65% at University of Minnesota-Duluth. 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.