Head-to-head comparison
Walden University vs Minneapolis Community and Technical College: which has better ROI?
Option A Minneapolis, MN
Walden University
- Net price / year
- $33,817
- Earnings, 10 years
- $42,810
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
- Net price / year
- $13,812
- Earnings, 10 years
- $40,086
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Minneapolis Community and Technical College comes closer — median earnings $40,086 against a $55,248 total, vs $42,810 at Walden University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Walden University | Minneapolis Community and Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $33,817 | $13,812 |
| Total net cost | $135,268 | $55,248 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,810 | $40,086 |
| Median debt | $20,834 | $17,954 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$246,268 | -$220,728 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Walden University or Minneapolis Community and Technical College?
Minneapolis Community and Technical College, at $13,812 a year after aid versus $33,817 — a gap of $20,005 a year, or $80,020 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 Walden University or Minneapolis Community and Technical College graduates earn more?
Walden University graduates report a median $42,810 ten years after entry, $2,724 more than the $40,086 at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. 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, Walden University or Minneapolis Community and Technical College?
Minneapolis Community and Technical College: its completers carry a median $17,954 in federal loans versus $20,834 at Walden University, a difference of $2,880. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.