Head-to-head comparison
Minnesota State University-Mankato vs North Hennepin 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 Brooklyn Park, MN
North Hennepin Community College
- Net price / year
- $12,186
- Earnings, 10 years
- $51,142
- Payback
- 8.8 yrs
North Hennepin Community College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $24,372 in 8.8 years versus 8.9 years at Minnesota State University-Mankato, on median earnings of $51,142 vs $56,922 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Minnesota State University-Mankato | North Hennepin Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,139 | $12,186 |
| Total net cost | $76,556 | $24,372 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,922 | $51,142 |
| Median debt | $21,106 | $14,750 |
| Payback | 8.9 yrs | 8.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $94,684 | $31,268 |
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 North Hennepin Community College?
North Hennepin Community College, at $12,186 a year after aid versus $19,139 — a gap of $6,953 a year, or $52,184 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 North Hennepin Community College graduates earn more?
Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates report a median $56,922 ten years after entry, $5,780 more than the $51,142 at North Hennepin 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 North Hennepin Community College?
North Hennepin Community College: its completers carry a median $14,750 in federal loans versus $21,106 at Minnesota State University-Mankato, a difference of $6,356. 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 22% at North Hennepin 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.