Head-to-head comparison
Minnesota State University-Mankato vs Augsburg University: which has better ROI?
Option A Mankato, MN
Minnesota State University-Mankato
- Net price / year
- $19,139
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,922
- Payback
- 8.9 yrs
Option B Minneapolis, MN
Augsburg University
- Net price / year
- $23,873
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,829
- Payback
- 9.1 yrs
Minnesota State University-Mankato has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,556 in 8.9 years versus 9.1 years at Augsburg University, on median earnings of $56,922 vs $58,829 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Minnesota State University-Mankato | Augsburg University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,139 | $23,873 |
| Total net cost | $76,556 | $95,492 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,922 | $58,829 |
| Median debt | $21,106 | $25,347 |
| Payback | 8.9 yrs | 9.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $94,684 | $113,888 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Minnesota State University-Mankato or Augsburg University?
Minnesota State University-Mankato, at $19,139 a year after aid versus $23,873 — a gap of $4,734 a year, or $18,936 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato or Augsburg University graduates earn more?
Augsburg University graduates report a median $58,829 ten years after entry, $1,907 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Minnesota State University-Mankato or Augsburg University?
Minnesota State University-Mankato: its completers carry a median $21,106 in federal loans versus $25,347 at Augsburg University, a difference of $4,241. 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?
54% of students finish at Minnesota State University-Mankato, against 52% at Augsburg University. 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.