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Head-to-head comparison

University of St Thomas vs University of Minnesota-Rochester: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Saint Paul MN · vs · Public, Rochester MN

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

Option A Saint Paul, MN

University of St Thomas

Net price / year
$29,155
Earnings, 10 years
$73,739
Payback
4.6 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 4.6 years at University of St Thomas, on median earnings of $69,020 vs $73,739 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of St ThomasUniversity of Minnesota-Rochester
Net price / yr$29,155$13,744
Total net cost$116,620$54,976
Median earnings, 10 yrs$73,739$69,020
Median debt$23,250$19,500
Payback4.6 yrs2.7 yrs
20-year net return$390,960$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 St Thomas or University of Minnesota-Rochester?

University of Minnesota-Rochester, at $13,744 a year after aid versus $29,155 — a gap of $15,411 a year, or $61,644 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 St Thomas or University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates earn more?

University of St Thomas graduates report a median $73,739 ten years after entry, $4,719 more than the $69,020 at University of Minnesota-Rochester. 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 St Thomas or University of Minnesota-Rochester?

University of Minnesota-Rochester: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $23,250 at University of St Thomas, a difference of $3,750. 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?

76% of students finish at University of St Thomas, 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 St Thomas vs University of Minnesota-Rochester: frequently asked questions

Is University of St Thomas 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 4.6 years at University of St Thomas, on median earnings of $69,020 vs $73,739 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of St Thomas or University of Minnesota-Rochester?
University of Minnesota-Rochester: $13,744/yr net price after aid versus $29,155/yr at University of St Thomas — a difference of $15,411 a year, or about $61,644 over four years.
Do University of St Thomas or University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates earn more?
University of St Thomas graduates earn a median $73,739 ten years after entry, versus $69,020 at University of Minnesota-Rochester — a $4,719 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.