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University of Minnesota-Duluth — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · Duluth, MN · 7,336 students

The verdict

University of Minnesota-Duluth charges a net price of $18,743/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $74,972. Graduates earn a median $62,616 ten years after entry, $14,256/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5.3 years — a 20-year net return of $210,148, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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University of Minnesota-Duluth's 5.3-year payback ranks #456 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 64% of them, and #10 of 68 in Minnesota.

Better ROI than 64% of US colleges#456 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$18,743
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$62,616
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
5.3 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
89%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
University of Minnesota-Duluth: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$18,743/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$74,972our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$62,616Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$14,256/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$22,024Scorecard, 2026
Payback5.3 yrsour math
20-year net return$210,148our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

University of Minnesota-Duluth: frequently asked questions

Is University of Minnesota-Duluth worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. University of Minnesota-Duluth charges $18,743/yr after aid ($74,972 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $62,616 ten years out — $14,256/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 5.3 years and returns $210,148 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a University of Minnesota-Duluth degree take to pay off?
About 5.3 years. We divide the $74,972 four-year net cost by the $14,256/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does University of Minnesota-Duluth cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $18,743/yr — about $74,972 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does University of Minnesota-Duluth compare to other Minnesota colleges?
It ranks #10 of 68 Minnesota colleges we track by payback. Its $62,616 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $18,743 net price is above the national median of $16,906.