# Best Master's Programs in Minnesota

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 36 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-minnesota

## Methodology

Master's programs in Minnesota ranked by graduate outcomes

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Considering a master's program in Minnesota? You're not alone. With 36 options available, prospective students are evaluating where they can invest their time and money most effectively. The average earnings for graduates in these programs hover around $58,174, which is a crucial number for anyone weighing their options.

The schools on this list stand out based on key outcomes that matter for graduate programs, such as earnings, graduation rates, net price, and student debt. The data reveals that strong programs not only lead to higher earnings but also typically reflect better completion rates and manageable debt levels. The metrics here help shine a light on what you can expect after graduation, guiding you to make an informed choice.

Take, for instance, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Carleton College. While both schools show strong earnings potential, with graduates from Carleton earning $75,525 compared to $69,020 from the Twin Cities campus, the financial tradeoff is noticeable. Carleton has a higher net price at $25,407, versus $16,778 at Twin Cities. This data highlights how program choice can significantly influence both your immediate financial situation and future earnings potential.

## Key Findings

- Graduates from Carleton College earn an average of $75,525, the highest in this list.
- The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has a graduation rate of 85%, significantly higher than the overall average of 63%.
- The average graduate debt across these programs is $19,500, with Carleton College showing $16,750 in comparison.
- University of Minnesota-Morris has the lowest net price at $8,837, making it a more affordable option.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Carleton College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carleton-college) | Northfield, MN | 90% | $75,525 | $25,407 | $16,750 | 0.22x |
| 2 | [Saint Johns University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-johns-university) | Collegeville, MN | 76% | $76,786 | $25,672 | $27,000 | 0.35x |
| 3 | [Macalester College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/macalester-college) | Saint Paul, MN | 89% | $63,878 | $32,149 | $23,000 | 0.36x |
| 4 | [Gustavus Adolphus College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/gustavus-adolphus-college) | Saint Peter, MN | 76% | $65,607 | $22,900 | $26,774 | 0.41x |
| 5 | [College of Saint Benedict](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-saint-benedict) | Saint Joseph, MN | 80% | $63,260 | $26,640 | $26,944 | 0.43x |
| 6 | [University of Minnesota-Twin Cities](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-minnesota-twin-cities) | Minneapolis, MN | 85% | $69,020 | $16,778 | $19,500 | 0.28x |
| 7 | [University of Minnesota-Morris](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-minnesota-morris) | Morris, MN | 62% | $50,919 | $8,837 | $18,995 | 0.37x |
| 8 | [The College of Saint Scholastica](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-college-of-saint-scholastica) | Duluth, MN | 66% | $65,934 | $27,846 | $20,000 | 0.3x |
| 9 | [Hamline University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hamline-university) | Saint Paul, MN | 59% | $61,106 | $20,744 | $23,770 | 0.39x |
| 10 | [St Catherine University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/st-catherine-university) | Saint Paul, MN | 63% | $59,282 | $19,764 | $24,181 | 0.41x |
| 11 | [Dunwoody College of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dunwoody-college-of-technology) | Minneapolis, MN | 65% | $61,511 | $26,939 | $16,000 | 0.26x |
| 12 | [Saint Mary's University of Minnesota](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-marys-university-of-minnesota) | Winona, MN | 67% | $58,170 | $11,704 | $21,500 | 0.37x |
| 13 | [Concordia College at Moorhead](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/concordia-college-at-moorhead) | Moorhead, MN | 66% | $59,317 | $24,902 | $26,847 | 0.45x |
| 14 | [St Olaf College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/st-olaf-college) | Northfield, MN | 84% | $65,543 | $23,874 | $26,000 | 0.4x |
| 15 | [Augsburg University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/augsburg-university) | Minneapolis, MN | 52% | $58,829 | $23,873 | $25,347 | 0.43x |
| 16 | [University of Minnesota-Crookston](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-minnesota-crookston) | Crookston, MN | 50% | $58,056 | $12,212 | $20,500 | 0.35x |
| 17 | [University of Minnesota-Duluth](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-minnesota-duluth) | Duluth, MN | 65% | $62,616 | $18,743 | $22,024 | 0.35x |
| 18 | [Bethany Lutheran College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bethany-lutheran-college) | Mankato, MN | 57% | $46,110 | $20,148 | $23,000 | 0.5x |
| 19 | [Winona State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/winona-state-university) | Winona, MN | 59% | $58,532 | $17,503 | $21,500 | 0.37x |
| 20 | [Saint Cloud State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-cloud-state-university) | Saint Cloud, MN | 44% | $55,813 | $13,529 | $21,058 | 0.38x |
| 21 | [Minnesota State University-Mankato](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/minnesota-state-university-mankato) | Mankato, MN | 54% | $56,922 | $19,139 | $21,106 | 0.37x |
| 22 | [Minnesota State University Moorhead](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/minnesota-state-university-moorhead) | Moorhead, MN | 56% | $50,527 | $17,997 | $20,000 | 0.4x |
| 23 | [Bemidji State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bemidji-state-university) | Bemidji, MN | 51% | $53,755 | $15,261 | $19,750 | 0.37x |
| 24 | [North Central University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-central-university) | Minneapolis, MN | 65% | $45,064 | $25,817 | $23,200 | 0.51x |
| 25 | [University of Minnesota-Rochester](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-minnesota-rochester) | Rochester, MN | 57% | $69,020 | $13,744 | $19,500 | 0.28x |
| 26 | [University of St Thomas](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-st-thomas) | Saint Paul, MN | 76% | $73,739 | $29,155 | $23,250 | 0.32x |
| 27 | [Metropolitan State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/metropolitan-state-university) | Saint Paul, MN | 42% | $64,705 | $16,863 | $17,100 | 0.26x |
| 28 | [Southwest Minnesota State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwest-minnesota-state-university) | Marshall, MN | 45% | $51,342 | $15,291 | $20,500 | 0.4x |
| 29 | [Crown College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/crown-college) | Saint Bonifacius, MN | 54% | $48,057 | $26,672 | $22,500 | 0.47x |
| 30 | [Martin Luther College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/martin-luther-college) | New Ulm, MN | 71% | $47,491 | $18,463 | $20,177 | 0.42x |
| 31 | [Bethel University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bethel-university-mn) | Saint Paul, MN | 73% | $63,764 | $28,556 | $21,500 | 0.34x |
| 32 | [University of Northwestern-St Paul](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-northwestern-st-paul) | Saint Paul, MN | 68% | $50,755 | $27,705 | $21,325 | 0.42x |
| 33 | [Concordia University-Saint Paul](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/concordia-university-saint-paul) | Saint Paul, MN | 52% | $59,871 | $18,462 | $17,832 | 0.3x |
| 34 | [Minneapolis College of Art and Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/minneapolis-college-of-art-and-design) | Minneapolis, MN | 59% | $40,873 | $29,926 | $27,000 | 0.66x |
| 35 | [Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fond-du-lac-tribal-and-community-college) | Cloquet, MN | 23% | $45,665 | $12,677 | $14,181 | 0.31x |
| 36 | [Herzing University-Minneapolis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/herzing-university-minneapolis) | St. Louis Park, MN | 61% | $36,909 | $16,670 | $21,500 | 0.58x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Master's Programs in Minnesota." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-minnesota

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.