Minneapolis, MN · Private University
Is University of Minnesota Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$69,020
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$16,488
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$36,402
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$145,608
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.90x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
84.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$17,139
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates earn $24,020 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ranked by graduate earnings
124 graduates
345 graduates
65 graduates
71 graduates
285 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications: $103,056) and the lowest (Music: $27,902) is $75,154/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Networking and TelecommunicationsBest ROI | $103,056 | 2.8x |
| Computer Systems Analysis | $95,664 | 2.6x |
| Computer Science | $93,994 | 2.6x |
| Computer Engineering | $92,617 | 2.5x |
| Chemical Engineering | $88,515 | 2.4x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $87,799 | 2.4x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $87,625 | 2.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $84,682 | 2.3x |
| Industrial Engineering | $83,267 | 2.3x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $83,177 | 2.3x |
| Materials Engineering | $80,695 | 2.2x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $80,603 | 2.2x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $79,301 | 2.2x |
| Marketing | $76,482 | 2.1x |
| Economics | $76,116 | 2.1x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $75,971 | 2.1x |
| Construction Management(1yr data) | $75,705 | 2.1x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $74,652 | 2.0x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions(1yr data) | $73,403 | 2.0x |
| Civil Engineering | $72,526 | 2.0x |
| Mathematics | $72,102 | 2.0x |
| Agricultural Engineering | $70,905 | 1.9x |
| Statistics | $70,804 | 1.9x |
| Engineering, General(1yr data) | $67,413 | 1.9x |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $67,040 | 1.8x |
| Philosophy | $66,564 | 1.8x |
| International Business(1yr data) | $64,978 | 1.8x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $64,840 | 1.8x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $64,788 | 1.8x |
| Chemistry | $64,031 | 1.8x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $62,414 | 1.7x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $61,773 | 1.7x |
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science | $61,401 | 1.7x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $61,356 | 1.7x |
| Biology, General | $59,939 | 1.6x |
| Food Science and Technology | $59,558 | 1.6x |
| Education, Other | $58,769 | 1.6x |
| Physics | $57,831 | 1.6x |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $57,825 | 1.6x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $57,235 | 1.6x |
| Forestry | $57,000 | 1.6x |
| Architecture | $56,981 | 1.6x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $56,840 | 1.6x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities(1yr data) | $56,778 | 1.6x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $56,610 | 1.6x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $56,160 | 1.5x |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $55,944 | 1.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $55,667 | 1.5x |
| Journalism | $55,193 | 1.5x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $54,457 | 1.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $54,452 | 1.5x |
| Nutrition Sciences | $54,178 | 1.5x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering(1yr data) | $53,447 | 1.5x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services(1yr data) | $52,113 | 1.4x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $51,820 | 1.4x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $51,465 | 1.4x |
| Geography and Cartography | $51,259 | 1.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $51,102 | 1.4x |
| Criminology | $50,669 | 1.4x |
| Sociology | $50,586 | 1.4x |
| Animal Sciences | $50,159 | 1.4x |
| Special Education and Teaching(1yr data) | $49,771 | 1.4x |
| Psychology, General | $49,126 | 1.4x |
| Education, General(1yr data) | $48,339 | 1.3x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $48,030 | 1.3x |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $47,953 | 1.3x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $47,719 | 1.3x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $47,522 | 1.3x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $46,976 | 1.3x |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $46,840 | 1.3x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $46,124 | 1.3x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $45,739 | 1.3x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $44,896 | 1.2x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $44,427 | 1.2x |
| Architecture and Related Services, Other(1yr data) | $44,302 | 1.2x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $43,994 | 1.2x |
| History | $43,487 | 1.2x |
| Anthropology | $43,418 | 1.2x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $43,249 | 1.2x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $43,114 | 1.2x |
| Plant Sciences | $42,478 | 1.2x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $41,050 | 1.1x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $37,750 | 1.0x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $35,799 | 1.0x |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $35,191 | 1.0x |
| Dance(1yr data) | $31,597 | 0.9x |
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management | $31,521 | 0.9x |
| MusicLowest | $27,902 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | 1.90x | $69,020 | Good ROI |
| Michigan State University | 1.55x | $67,253 | Good ROI |
| University of Illinois Chicago | 2.34x | $68,740 | Strong ROI |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City | 2.07x | $59,637 | Strong ROI |
| University of Colorado Boulder | 1.66x | $69,738 | Good ROI |
| University of Missouri-Columbia | 1.85x | $63,403 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $69,020 10 years after starting — $24,020 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.3 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.