Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

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

Public, Duluth 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 5.3 years at University of Minnesota-Duluth, on median earnings of $58,170 vs $62,616 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Minnesota-DuluthSaint Mary's University of Minnesota
Net price / yr$18,743$11,704
Total net cost$74,972$46,816
Median earnings, 10 yrs$62,616$58,170
Median debt$22,024$21,500
Payback5.3 yrs4.8 yrs
20-year net return$210,148$149,384

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

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

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, at $11,704 a year after aid versus $18,743 — a gap of $7,039 a year, or $28,156 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates earn more?

University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates report a median $62,616 ten years after entry, $4,446 more than the $58,170 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $22,024 at University of Minnesota-Duluth, a difference of $524. 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 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.

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

Is University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 5.3 years at University of Minnesota-Duluth, on median earnings of $58,170 vs $62,616 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Minnesota-Duluth or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota: $11,704/yr net price after aid versus $18,743/yr at University of Minnesota-Duluth — a difference of $7,039 a year, or about $28,156 over four years.
Do University of Minnesota-Duluth or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates earn more?
University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates earn a median $62,616 ten years after entry, versus $58,170 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota — a $4,446 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.