Head-to-head comparison
Minnesota State University-Mankato vs University of Minnesota-Morris: 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 Morris, MN
University of Minnesota-Morris
- Net price / year
- $8,837
- Earnings, 10 years
- $50,919
- Payback
- 13.8 yrs
Minnesota State University-Mankato has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,556 in 8.9 years versus 13.8 years at University of Minnesota-Morris, on median earnings of $56,922 vs $50,919 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Minnesota State University-Mankato | University of Minnesota-Morris |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,139 | $8,837 |
| Total net cost | $76,556 | $35,348 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,922 | $50,919 |
| Median debt | $21,106 | $18,995 |
| Payback | 8.9 yrs | 13.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $94,684 | $15,832 |
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 University of Minnesota-Morris?
University of Minnesota-Morris, at $8,837 a year after aid versus $19,139 — a gap of $10,302 a year, or $41,208 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 University of Minnesota-Morris graduates earn more?
Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates report a median $56,922 ten years after entry, $6,003 more than the $50,919 at University of Minnesota-Morris. 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 University of Minnesota-Morris?
University of Minnesota-Morris: its completers carry a median $18,995 in federal loans versus $21,106 at Minnesota State University-Mankato, a difference of $2,111. 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?
63% of students finish at University of Minnesota-Morris, against 54% at Minnesota State University-Mankato. 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.