Head-to-head comparison
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities vs Minnesota State University-Mankato: which has better ROI?
Option A Minneapolis, MN
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Net price / year
- $16,778
- Earnings, 10 years
- $69,020
- Payback
- 3.2 yrs
Option B Mankato, MN
Minnesota State University-Mankato
- Net price / year
- $19,139
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,922
- Payback
- 8.9 yrs
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $67,112 in 3.2 years versus 8.9 years at Minnesota State University-Mankato, on median earnings of $69,020 vs $56,922 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minnesota State University-Mankato |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,778 | $19,139 |
| Total net cost | $67,112 | $76,556 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,020 | $56,922 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $21,106 |
| Payback | 3.2 yrs | 8.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $346,088 | $94,684 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities or Minnesota State University-Mankato?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, at $16,778 a year after aid versus $19,139 — a gap of $2,361 a year, or $9,444 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-Twin Cities or Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates earn more?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates report a median $69,020 ten years after entry, $12,098 more than the $56,922 at Minnesota State University-Mankato. 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-Twin Cities or Minnesota State University-Mankato?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $21,106 at Minnesota State University-Mankato, a difference of $1,606. 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?
85% of students finish at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 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.