Minnesota State University-Mankato
- Graduation Rate
- 54% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $56,922 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $19,139 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 88% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 17.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $17.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,244,938.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 40% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $17.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Minnesota State University-Mankato Matters
Minnesota State University-Mankato is a public university in Mankato, MN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 11,703
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Psychology
Why students choose Minnesota State University-Mankato
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 88% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,139 a year after grants and scholarships — 12% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $56,922 ten years after enrolling — 40% above the typical college, against $21,106 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.71 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 11,700 students, Minnesota State University-Mankato is a great fit for those looking for a welcoming environment with a strong focus on practical education. The school stands out for its popular programs in Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Psychology, and Engineering. This variety allows students to pursue a range of interests while preparing for careers that are in demand.
When it comes to what happens after graduation, graduates from Minnesota State University-Mankato can expect to earn an average of $56,922 within ten years of finishing their degrees. This figure is encouraging, especially considering the affordability of the school. The net price after financial aid is around $19,139, making it a viable option for many students. Additionally, about 21% of students receive Pell Grants, which can help mitigate costs further.
Looking at the practical aspects, students here tend to thrive when they are proactive about their education and career goals. With a median debt of $21,106, graduates leave with a manageable financial load, especially given their earning potential. Those who are focused on their studies and take advantage of the resources available at the university often find success in their post-college lives. The supportive community and accessible programs contribute to a positive experience for many students.
Rankings
- #14 Best Nursing Colleges in Minnesota
- #16 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota
- #16 Best Communications Colleges in Minnesota
- #17 Best Business Colleges in Minnesota
- #18 Best Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #18 Best Data Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #20 Best Bachelor's Programs in Minnesota
- #21 Best Master's Programs in Minnesota
Can I Get In?
How selective Minnesota State University-Mankato is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Minnesota State University-Mankato? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Minnesota State University-Mankato, located in Mankato, Minnesota, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,150. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 88%
- Retention Rate
- 80%
- SAT Average
- 1150
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- ACT Range
- 21–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 72%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,257
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.48
- First-Gen Students
- 24%
- Applicants
- 11,152
- Admitted
- 7,882
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Minnesota State University-Mankato? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Minnesota State University-Mankato is $18,942, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,139. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,339 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,106 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,572
- Out-of-State
- $18,942
- Avg Net Price
- $19,139
- Median Debt
- $21,106
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 40%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,339
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,750
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,137
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,798
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Minnesota State University-Mankato Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Minnesota State University-Mankato earn a median of $56,922, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $50,098
- 8 Years
- $53,926
- 10 Years
- $56,922
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (644)
- 28%
- 100% (644)
- 28%
- 100% (644)
- 28%
- 100% (644)
- 28%
How Minnesota Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Minnesota State University-Mankato Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Minnesota State University-Mankato delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,139/year ($76,556 total). Graduates earn $56,922 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,321,494 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,244,938 (17.3× your investment). The median debt is $21,106, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 54% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $76,556
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,321,494
- Net Return
- $1,244,938
- ROI Multiple
- 17.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,139
- Median Debt
- $21,106
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $401,000
Top Programs
The fields Minnesota State University-Mankato awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 23%
- Health Professions 20%
- Education 7%
- Psychology 5%
- Engineering 4%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Communications 3%
- Transportation 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Minnesota State University-Mankato's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Minnesota State University-Mankato? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Minnesota State University-Mankato, located in Mankato, Minnesota, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,150. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Minnesota State University-Mankato? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Minnesota State University-Mankato is $18,942, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,139. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,339 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,106 in federal student loans.
Is Minnesota State University-Mankato Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Minnesota State University-Mankato earn a median of $56,922, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Minnesota State University-Mankato? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Minnesota State University-Mankato. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Minnesota State University-Mankato.
- University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham, AL · Close peer63% grad $54,501 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI · Close peer60% grad $55,874 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Tarleton State UniversityStephenville, TX · Close peer50% grad $53,040 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI · Close peer63% grad $57,624 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater, MA · Close peer54% grad $57,466 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Massachusetts-BostonBoston, MA · Close peer50% grad $65,865 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Minnesota State University-Mankato? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Minnesota State University-Mankato. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note