University of Minnesota-Duluth vs The College of Saint Scholastica: which has better ROI?
University of Minnesota-Duluth has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,972 in 5.3 years versus 6.3 years at The College of Saint Scholastica, on median earnings of $62,616 vs $65,934 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Minnesota-Duluth | The College of Saint Scholastica |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,743 | $27,846 |
| Total net cost | $74,972 | $111,384 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,616 | $65,934 |
| Median debt | $22,024 | $20,000 |
| Payback | 5.3 yrs | 6.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $210,148 | $240,096 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Minnesota-Duluth or The College of Saint Scholastica?
University of Minnesota-Duluth, at $18,743 a year after aid versus $27,846 — a gap of $9,103 a year, or $36,412 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 The College of Saint Scholastica graduates earn more?
The College of Saint Scholastica graduates report a median $65,934 ten years after entry, $3,318 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 The College of Saint Scholastica?
The College of Saint Scholastica: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $22,024 at University of Minnesota-Duluth, a difference of $2,024. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at The College of Saint Scholastica, 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.