Skip to content
degreedividend.
ROI calculator
Independent college researchBuilt on federal dataNo rankings for sale

Head-to-head comparison

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities vs University of Minnesota-Rochester: which has better ROI?

Public, Minneapolis MN · vs · Public, Rochester MN

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

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 Rochester, MN

University of Minnesota-Rochester

Net price / year
$13,744
Earnings, 10 years
$69,020
Payback
2.7 yrs
The verdict

University of Minnesota-Rochester has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $54,976 in 2.7 years versus 3.2 years at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, on median earnings of $69,020 vs $69,020 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Minnesota-Twin CitiesUniversity of Minnesota-Rochester
Net price / yr$16,778$13,744
Total net cost$67,112$54,976
Median earnings, 10 yrs$69,020$69,020
Median debt$19,500$19,500
Payback3.2 yrs2.7 yrs
20-year net return$346,088$358,224

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 University of Minnesota-Rochester?

University of Minnesota-Rochester, at $13,744 a year after aid versus $16,778 — a gap of $3,034 a year, or $12,136 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 University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates earn more?

Graduates of both report a median $69,020 ten years after entry, so earnings do not separate them either — the ROI difference comes entirely from what each degree costs. Figures are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, not programme-level pay.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities or University of Minnesota-Rochester?

Completers at both borrow a median $19,500, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

85% of students finish at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, against 57% at University of Minnesota-Rochester. 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-Twin Cities vs University of Minnesota-Rochester: frequently asked questions

Is University of Minnesota-Twin Cities or University of Minnesota-Rochester a better value?
University of Minnesota-Rochester. It clears its $54,976 net cost in about 2.7 years versus 3.2 years at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, on median earnings of $69,020 vs $69,020 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities or University of Minnesota-Rochester?
University of Minnesota-Rochester: $13,744/yr net price after aid versus $16,778/yr at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities — a difference of $3,034 a year, or about $12,136 over four years.
Do University of Minnesota-Twin Cities or University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates earn more?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates earn a median $69,020 ten years after entry, versus $69,020 at University of Minnesota-Rochester — a $0 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.