Head-to-head comparison
University of Minnesota-Duluth vs University of Minnesota-Crookston: which has better ROI?
Option A Duluth, MN
University of Minnesota-Duluth
- Net price / year
- $18,743
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,616
- Payback
- 5.3 yrs
Option B Crookston, MN
University of Minnesota-Crookston
- Net price / year
- $12,212
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,056
- Payback
- 5 yrs
University of Minnesota-Crookston has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $48,848 in 5 years versus 5.3 years at University of Minnesota-Duluth, on median earnings of $58,056 vs $62,616 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Minnesota-Duluth | University of Minnesota-Crookston |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,743 | $12,212 |
| Total net cost | $74,972 | $48,848 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,616 | $58,056 |
| Median debt | $22,024 | $20,500 |
| Payback | 5.3 yrs | 5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $210,148 | $145,072 |
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 University of Minnesota-Crookston?
University of Minnesota-Crookston, at $12,212 a year after aid versus $18,743 — a gap of $6,531 a year, or $26,124 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 University of Minnesota-Crookston graduates earn more?
University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates report a median $62,616 ten years after entry, $4,560 more than the $58,056 at University of Minnesota-Crookston. 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 University of Minnesota-Crookston?
University of Minnesota-Crookston: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $22,024 at University of Minnesota-Duluth, a difference of $1,524. 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?
65% of students finish at University of Minnesota-Duluth, against 50% at University of Minnesota-Crookston. 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.