University of Minnesota-Twin Cities vs Minnesota State University-Mankato: 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 8.9 years at Minnesota State University-Mankato, on median earnings of $69,020 vs $56,922 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minnesota State University-Mankato |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,778 | $19,139 |
| Total net cost | $67,112 | $76,556 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,020 | $56,922 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $21,106 |
| Payback | 3.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $346,088 | $94,684 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities or Minnesota State University-Mankato?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, at $16,778 a year after aid versus $19,139 — a gap of $2,361 a year, or $9,444 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates earn more?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates report a median $69,020 ten years after entry, $12,098 more than the $56,922 at Minnesota State University-Mankato. 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $21,106 at Minnesota State University-Mankato, a difference of $1,606. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
85% of students finish at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, against 54% at Minnesota State University-Mankato. 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.