Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in Minnesota
- 50
- Schools
- $55,467
- Avg. Earnings
- 56%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,378
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,044
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $40,873 to $76,786, a 1.9× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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University of Minnesota-Morris delivers the most for the money: roughly $50,919 in median earnings against $8,837 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Red Lake Nation College is the lowest-cost school here at $5,672 a year in net price.
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Carleton College graduates 90% of its students, versus a 56% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Dakota County Technical College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.21× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Carleton College ($75,525 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Saint Johns University ($76,786), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- On value, University of Minnesota-Morris beats Saint Johns University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Carleton College finishes 90% of students while North Hennepin Community College finishes 19%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with University of Minnesota-Morris and Carleton College. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $54K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-15
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Carleton College #1 overall | $75,525 ▲ +36% vs avg | $25,407 | 90% | 75 |
| 2 Saint Johns University #2 overall | $76,786 ▲ +38% vs avg | $25,672 | 76% | 72 |
| 3 Macalester College #3 overall | $63,878 ▲ +15% vs avg | $32,149 | 89% | 71 |
| $65,607 ▲ +18% vs avg | $22,900 | 76% | 70 | |
| $63,260 ▲ +14% vs avg | $26,640 | 80% | 68 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Minnesota
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $55,467 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 56% and an average net price of $18,378.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Minnesota-Morris — Net Price: $8,837 | Graduation Rate: 62%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Carleton College — 90% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Saint Johns University — Median alumni earnings: $76,786
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Minnesota Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Minnesota?
$53,755
Median earnings (10yr)
56%
Median graduation rate
$17,183
Median net price
1.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Minnesota, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $53,755 ten years after they first enrolled, about $5,755 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 56%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $17,183 a year, with about $20,000 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 27% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.4%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Minnesota pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $17,183 and median earnings of $53,755 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Carleton College lands at #1 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $75,525 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,407 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Saint Johns University lands at #2 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $76,786 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,672 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Macalester College lands at #3 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $63,878 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,149 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Gustavus Adolphus College lands at #4 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $65,607 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,900 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
College of Saint Benedict lands at #5 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $63,260 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,640 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
The College of Saint Scholastica lands at #6 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $65,934 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,846 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Hamline University lands at #7 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $61,106 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,744 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
St Catherine University lands at #8 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $59,282 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,764 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Dunwoody College of Technology lands at #9 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $61,511 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,939 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota lands at #10 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $58,170 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,704 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Concordia College at Moorhead lands at #11 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $59,317 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,902 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Augsburg University lands at #12 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $58,829 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,873 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
University of Minnesota-Morris lands at #13 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (64/100). Graduates earn a median $50,919 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,837 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Minneapolis, MN · 80% accepted · $16,778 net
Why it ranks #14
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities lands at #14 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $69,020 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,778 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Bethany Lutheran College lands at #15 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $46,110 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,148 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
North Central University lands at #16 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $45,064 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,817 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
St Olaf College lands at #17 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $65,543 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,874 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Crown College lands at #18 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (88/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $48,057 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,672 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
University of Minnesota-Duluth lands at #19 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $62,616 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,743 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
University of Minnesota-Crookston lands at #20 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $58,056 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,212 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Winona State University lands at #21 with a 60/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $58,532 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,503 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Saint Cloud State University lands at #22 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $55,813 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,529 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
University of St Thomas lands at #23 with a 59/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $73,739 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,155 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Minnesota State University-Mankato lands at #24 with a 59/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (68/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $56,922 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,139 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Minnesota State University Moorhead lands at #25 with a 59/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (66/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $50,527 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,997 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Minneapolis, MN · 48% accepted · $29,926 net
Why it ranks #26
Minneapolis College of Art and Design lands at #26 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $40,873 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,926 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Minnesota North College lands at #27 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $45,570 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,432 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Bemidji State University lands at #28 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $53,755 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,261 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Red Lake Nation College lands at #29 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Net price runs $5,672 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Bethel University lands at #30 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $63,764 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,556 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Alexandria Technical & Community College lands at #31 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $49,393 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,691 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Metropolitan State University lands at #32 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $64,705 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,863 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Concordia University-Saint Paul lands at #33 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $59,871 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,462 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
St Cloud Technical and Community College lands at #34 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $46,874 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,635 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Dakota County Technical College lands at #35 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $51,938 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,548 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Southwest Minnesota State University lands at #36 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (69/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $51,342 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,291 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Ridgewater College lands at #37 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $43,827 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,046 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
University of Northwestern-St Paul lands at #38 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (76/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $50,755 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,705 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Martin Luther College lands at #39 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $47,491 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,463 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Normandale Community College lands at #40 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $50,207 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,972 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
South Central College lands at #41 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $45,068 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,082 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Inver Hills Community College lands at #42 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $49,898 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,636 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
University of Minnesota-Rochester lands at #43 with a 55/100 composite, led by academic quality (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (36/100). Graduates earn a median $69,020 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,744 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Northland Community and Technical College lands at #44 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (72/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $44,425 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,975 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Minnesota State Community and Technical College lands at #45 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (50/100). Graduates earn a median $45,591 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,556 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Anoka-Ramsey Community College lands at #46 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $48,342 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,434 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Rochester Community and Technical College lands at #47 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $45,287 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,435 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Central Lakes College-Brainerd lands at #48 with a 53/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (48/100). Graduates earn a median $42,162 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,869 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
North Hennepin Community College lands at #49 with a 53/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (47/100). Graduates earn a median $51,142 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,186 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Lake Superior College lands at #50 with a 51/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,449 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,492 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When considering higher education options in Minnesota, prospective students and their families often look toward institutions that promise strong outcomes. With 50 colleges in the state, it's essential to examine what makes the top schools stand out, especially when it comes to factors like graduation rates, earnings, and debt levels.
The best colleges in Minnesota exemplify high graduation rates and promising post-graduation earnings, while also considering the cost of attendance. For example, the average earnings across the top five schools reach over $55,000, with graduation rates averaging 55%. This information is crucial for anyone weighing their options.
Take the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Carleton College, for instance. While both schools offer solid earnings potential with graduates making around $69,020 and $75,525 respectively, Carleton has a notably higher graduation rate at 90% compared to Twin Cities' 85%. This difference may reflect the unique support systems and campus culture each institution offers, shaping the college experience in distinct ways.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 16 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.4%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Saint Johns University leads the group at 2.7%, with The College of Saint Scholastica (2.2%) and St Catherine University (2%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 4.8% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Crown College enrolls the most, at 7.5%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 28.3% across the list, peaking at 52.9% at Carleton College.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Carleton College is highest at 1.78.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Among the top colleges in Minnesota, a notable pattern emerges when comparing the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Carleton College. Despite having similar earnings potential at $69,020 and $75,525 respectively, Carleton's higher graduation rate of 90% suggests that students may find better support and resources there, leading to a stronger likelihood of completing their degrees.
After reviewing the extensive list of 50 schools, it's essential to align the data with personal priorities. Consider what matters most to you: Is it proximity to home, specific academic programs, or the campus atmosphere? Weighing these factors against financial aspects, like average net price and debt, can help narrow down your choices and lead to a decision that feels right for your situation.
Ultimately, the journey from college to a stable career hinges on these data points. For one family, choosing a school that balances affordability with earning potential could make all the difference in ensuring a successful transition into adulthood. The decisions made today will impact their financial future, underscoring the importance of careful consideration in this pivotal moment.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Colleges in Minnesota: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Minnesota ranking? +
Carleton College in Northfield, MN ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges in Minnesota ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $75,525 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 90% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Saint Johns University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $76,786 ten years after enrollment, well above the $55,467 average across the 49 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of Minnesota-Morris leads: graduates earn a median $50,919 against net price of about $8,837 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Carleton College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 90%, compared with a 56% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $18,378 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Red Lake Nation College is among the most affordable at roughly $5,672. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges in Minnesota ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
