University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 5.3 years at University of Minnesota-Duluth, on median earnings of $58,056 vs $62,616 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Minnesota-Duluth | University of Minnesota-Crookston |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,743 | $12,212 |
| Total net cost | $74,972 | $48,848 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,616 | $58,056 |
| Median debt | $22,024 | $20,500 |
| Payback | 5.3 yrs | 5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $210,148 | $145,072 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Minnesota-Duluth or University of Minnesota-Crookston?
University of Minnesota-Crookston, at $12,212 a year after aid versus $18,743 — a gap of $6,531 a year, or $26,124 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 University of Minnesota-Crookston graduates earn more?
University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates report a median $62,616 ten years after entry, $4,560 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-Duluth or University of Minnesota-Crookston?
University of Minnesota-Crookston: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $22,024 at University of Minnesota-Duluth, a difference of $1,524. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at University of Minnesota-Duluth, 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.