University of Minnesota-Twin Cities vs Carleton College: which has better ROI?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $67,112 in 3.2 years versus 3.7 years at Carleton College, on median earnings of $69,020 vs $75,525 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Carleton College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,778 | $25,407 |
| Total net cost | $67,112 | $101,628 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,020 | $75,525 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $16,750 |
| Payback | 3.2 yrs | 3.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $346,088 | $441,672 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities or Carleton College?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, at $16,778 a year after aid versus $25,407 — a gap of $8,629 a year, or $34,516 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-Twin Cities or Carleton College graduates earn more?
Carleton College graduates report a median $75,525 ten years after entry, $6,505 more than the $69,020 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. 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-Twin Cities or Carleton College?
Carleton College: its completers carry a median $16,750 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, a difference of $2,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
90% of students finish at Carleton College, against 85% at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. 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.