Head-to-head comparison
Gustavus Adolphus College vs University of Minnesota-Crookston: which has better ROI?
Option A Saint Peter, MN
Gustavus Adolphus College
- Net price / year
- $22,900
- Earnings, 10 years
- $65,607
- Payback
- 5.3 yrs
Option B Crookston, MN
University of Minnesota-Crookston
- Net price / year
- $12,212
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,056
- Payback
- 5 yrs
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 Gustavus Adolphus College, on median earnings of $58,056 vs $65,607 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Gustavus Adolphus College | University of Minnesota-Crookston |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,900 | $12,212 |
| Total net cost | $91,600 | $48,848 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $65,607 | $58,056 |
| Median debt | $26,774 | $20,500 |
| Payback | 5.3 yrs | 5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $253,340 | $145,072 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Gustavus Adolphus College or University of Minnesota-Crookston?
University of Minnesota-Crookston, at $12,212 a year after aid versus $22,900 — a gap of $10,688 a year, or $42,752 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Gustavus Adolphus College or University of Minnesota-Crookston graduates earn more?
Gustavus Adolphus College graduates report a median $65,607 ten years after entry, $7,551 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Gustavus Adolphus College or University of Minnesota-Crookston?
University of Minnesota-Crookston: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $26,774 at Gustavus Adolphus College, a difference of $6,274. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Gustavus Adolphus College, 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.