University of St Thomas vs University of Minnesota-Crookston: which has better ROI?
University of St Thomas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $116,620 in 4.6 years versus 5 years at University of Minnesota-Crookston, on median earnings of $73,739 vs $58,056 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of St Thomas | University of Minnesota-Crookston |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,155 | $12,212 |
| Total net cost | $116,620 | $48,848 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $73,739 | $58,056 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $20,500 |
| Payback | 4.6 yrs | 5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $390,960 | $145,072 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of St Thomas or University of Minnesota-Crookston?
University of Minnesota-Crookston, at $12,212 a year after aid versus $29,155 — a gap of $16,943 a year, or $67,772 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 St Thomas or University of Minnesota-Crookston graduates earn more?
University of St Thomas graduates report a median $73,739 ten years after entry, $15,683 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 St Thomas or University of Minnesota-Crookston?
University of Minnesota-Crookston: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $23,250 at University of St Thomas, 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?
76% of students finish at University of St Thomas, 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.