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Head-to-head comparison

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs Gustavus Adolphus College: which has better ROI?

Public, Duluth MN · vs · Private nonprofit, Saint Peter MN

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Duluth, MN

University of Minnesota-Duluth

Net price / year
$18,743
Earnings, 10 years
$62,616
Payback
5.3 yrs

Option B Saint Peter, MN

Gustavus Adolphus College

Net price / year
$22,900
Earnings, 10 years
$65,607
Payback
5.3 yrs
The verdict

Gustavus Adolphus College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,600 in 5.3 years versus 5.3 years at University of Minnesota-Duluth, on median earnings of $65,607 vs $62,616 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Minnesota-DuluthGustavus Adolphus College
Net price / yr$18,743$22,900
Total net cost$74,972$91,600
Median earnings, 10 yrs$62,616$65,607
Median debt$22,024$26,774
Payback5.3 yrs5.3 yrs
20-year net return$210,148$253,340

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, University of Minnesota-Duluth or Gustavus Adolphus College?

University of Minnesota-Duluth, at $18,743 a year after aid versus $22,900 — a gap of $4,157 a year, or $16,628 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth or Gustavus Adolphus College graduates earn more?

Gustavus Adolphus College graduates report a median $65,607 ten years after entry, $2,991 more than the $62,616 at University of Minnesota-Duluth. 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, University of Minnesota-Duluth or Gustavus Adolphus College?

University of Minnesota-Duluth: its completers carry a median $22,024 in federal loans versus $26,774 at Gustavus Adolphus College, a difference of $4,750. 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 65% at University of Minnesota-Duluth. 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.

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs Gustavus Adolphus College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Minnesota-Duluth or Gustavus Adolphus College a better value?
Gustavus Adolphus College. It clears its $91,600 net cost in about 5.3 years versus 5.3 years at University of Minnesota-Duluth, on median earnings of $65,607 vs $62,616 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Minnesota-Duluth or Gustavus Adolphus College?
University of Minnesota-Duluth: $18,743/yr net price after aid versus $22,900/yr at Gustavus Adolphus College — a difference of $4,157 a year, or about $16,628 over four years.
Do University of Minnesota-Duluth or Gustavus Adolphus College graduates earn more?
Gustavus Adolphus College graduates earn a median $65,607 ten years after entry, versus $62,616 at University of Minnesota-Duluth — a $2,991 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.