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Head-to-head comparison

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs Saint Mary's University of Minnesota: which has better ROI?

Public, Duluth MN · vs · Private nonprofit, Winona 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 Winona, MN

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Net price / year
$11,704
Earnings, 10 years
$58,170
Payback
4.8 yrs
The verdict

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $46,816 in 4.8 years versus 5.3 years at University of Minnesota-Duluth, on median earnings of $58,170 vs $62,616 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Minnesota-DuluthSaint Mary's University of Minnesota
Net price / yr$18,743$11,704
Total net cost$74,972$46,816
Median earnings, 10 yrs$62,616$58,170
Median debt$22,024$21,500
Payback5.3 yrs4.8 yrs
20-year net return$210,148$149,384

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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, at $11,704 a year after aid versus $18,743 — a gap of $7,039 a year, or $28,156 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates earn more?

University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates report a median $62,616 ten years after entry, $4,446 more than the $58,170 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $22,024 at University of Minnesota-Duluth, a difference of $524. 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?

66% of students finish at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota: frequently asked questions

Is University of Minnesota-Duluth or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota a better value?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. It clears its $46,816 net cost in about 4.8 years versus 5.3 years at University of Minnesota-Duluth, on median earnings of $58,170 vs $62,616 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Minnesota-Duluth or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota: $11,704/yr net price after aid versus $18,743/yr at University of Minnesota-Duluth — a difference of $7,039 a year, or about $28,156 over four years.
Do University of Minnesota-Duluth or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates earn more?
University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates earn a median $62,616 ten years after entry, versus $58,170 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota — a $4,446 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.