Head-to-head comparison
Minnesota State University-Mankato vs Normandale Community College: 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 Bloomington, MN
Normandale Community College
- Net price / year
- $12,972
- Earnings, 10 years
- $50,207
- Payback
- 14 yrs
Minnesota State University-Mankato has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,556 in 8.9 years versus 14 years at Normandale Community College, on median earnings of $56,922 vs $50,207 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Minnesota State University-Mankato | Normandale Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,139 | $12,972 |
| Total net cost | $76,556 | $25,944 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,922 | $50,207 |
| Median debt | $21,106 | $12,000 |
| Payback | 8.9 yrs | 14 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $94,684 | $10,996 |
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 Normandale Community College?
Normandale Community College, at $12,972 a year after aid versus $19,139 — a gap of $6,167 a year, or $50,612 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 Normandale Community College graduates earn more?
Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates report a median $56,922 ten years after entry, $6,715 more than the $50,207 at Normandale Community College. 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 Normandale Community College?
Normandale Community College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $21,106 at Minnesota State University-Mankato, a difference of $9,106. 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 27% at Normandale Community College. 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.