Rankings / By State
Best Psychology Colleges in Minnesota
- 28
- Schools
- $59,213
- Avg. Earnings
- 64%
- Avg. Graduation
- $21,295
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,973
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $45,064 at the low end to $75,525 at the top. That 1.7× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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University of Minnesota-Morris offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $50,919 against $8,837 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is University of Minnesota-Morris, at $8,837 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Carleton College graduates 90% of its students, well above the 64% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Carleton College: graduates owe only 0.22× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. University of Minnesota-Morris ($8,837/yr) and Macalester College ($32,149/yr) produce graduates earning $50,919 and $63,878 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $23,312 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, University of Minnesota-Morris outperforms Carleton College: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Carleton College graduates 90% of its students versus 42% at Metropolitan State University. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
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 $59K 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 2026-07-13
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 ▲ +28% vs avg | $25,407 | 90% | 72 |
| 2 Crown College #2 overall | $48,057 ▼ -19% vs avg | $26,672 | 54% | 70 |
| 3 Macalester College #3 overall | $63,878 ▲ +8% vs avg | $32,149 | 89% | 68 |
| $65,607 ▲ +11% vs avg | $22,900 | 76% | 67 | |
| $63,260 ▲ +7% vs avg | $26,640 | 80% | 67 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Psychology Colleges in Minnesota
This analysis ranks 28 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $59,213 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 64% and an average net price of $21,295.
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: Carleton College — Median alumni earnings: $75,525
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Human Services Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the human-services and social-work workforce?
$59,300
Median earnings (10yr)
64%
Median graduation rate
$20,446
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Demand for mental-health and social-service professionals keeps rising, driven by greater awareness of mental-health needs, an aging population, and expanding access to services. These are licensure-gated, mission-driven careers. The social return is high and the financial return is capped, which makes program cost the most important variable in the value equation.
Across the 28 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $59,300 ten years after they first enrolled, about $11,300 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 64%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $20,446 a year, with about $21,500 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 26% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.3%.
In human services, the cost of the degree matters as much as the career that follows it. Median earnings of roughly $59,300 and a net price of about $20,446 leave little room for heavy borrowing. Graduates who keep debt minimal do best in a field where the rewards are primarily social rather than financial.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Carleton College lands at #1 with a 72/100 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, 28% 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
Crown College lands at #2 with a 70/100 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, 19% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Macalester College lands at #3 with a 68/100 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, 8% 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 67/100 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, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,900 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 #5
College of Saint Benedict lands at #5 with a 67/100 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, 7% 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
Bethany Lutheran College lands at #6 with a 66/100 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, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,148 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Hamline University lands at #7 with a 66/100 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, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,744 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 #8
University of Minnesota-Morris lands at #8 with a 66/100 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, 14% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
The College of Saint Scholastica lands at #9 with a 65/100 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, 11% 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 #10
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota lands at #10 with a 64/100 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, 2% below 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
St Catherine University lands at #11 with a 63/100 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, 0% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Augsburg University lands at #12 with a 62/100 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, 1% below 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Minneapolis, MN · 80% accepted · $16,778 net
Why it ranks #13
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities lands at #13 with a 62/100 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, 17% 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 #14
Concordia College at Moorhead lands at #14 with a 61/100 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, 0% 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 #15
St Olaf College lands at #15 with a 60/100 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, 11% 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 #16
University of Minnesota-Duluth lands at #16 with a 57/100 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, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,743 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 #17
North Central University lands at #17 with a 57/100 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, 24% 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 #18
Saint Cloud State University lands at #18 with a 57/100 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, 6% below 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Bemidji State University lands at #19 with a 56/100 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, 9% 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 #20
Metropolitan State University lands at #20 with a 55/100 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, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,863 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 #21
University of St Thomas lands at #21 with a 55/100 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, 25% 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 #22
Minnesota State University-Mankato lands at #22 with a 55/100 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, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,139 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 #23
Winona State University lands at #23 with a 55/100 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, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,503 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 #24
Minnesota State University Moorhead lands at #24 with a 54/100 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, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,997 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 #25
Bethel University lands at #25 with a 54/100 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, 8% 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 #26
University of Northwestern-St Paul lands at #26 with a 53/100 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, 14% 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 #27
Southwest Minnesota State University lands at #27 with a 53/100 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, 13% 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 #28
Concordia University-Saint Paul lands at #28 with a 53/100 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, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,462 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 28 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When considering a degree in psychology, prospective students in Minnesota face a range of options across 29 colleges. Each institution offers unique benefits, from graduation rates to post-graduate earnings, making it crucial to evaluate these factors closely. In Minnesota, the average earnings for psychology graduates stand at $59,819, a figure that highlights the potential financial return on investment for students pursuing this field.
The schools featured in this ranking prioritize key outcomes such as earnings, graduation rates, and student debt. The top institutions not only demonstrate high graduation rates but also provide relatively manageable debt levels, which can significantly impact a graduate's financial future. As you explore the list below, keep in mind the interplay between these factors and how they align with your personal goals and circumstances.
For instance, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities stands out with $69,020 in average earnings and an 85% graduation rate. In contrast, the University of Minnesota-Morris, while more affordable with a net price of $8,837, has a lower average earning potential of $50,919 and a graduation rate of only 62%. These differences can guide your decision based on what you prioritize in your educational journey.
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
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 13 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.3%. The College of Saint Scholastica leads the group at 2.2%, with St Catherine University (2%) and Hamline University (1.5%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 4.7% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Crown College leads at 7.5%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 30.1% across this list. Carleton College posts the highest success rate at 52.9%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.72 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Carleton College reaches 1.78, the highest on the list.
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
Many might overlook how significantly earnings and graduation rates can vary among psychology programs. For example, Carleton College graduates earn an average of $75,525, compared to the University of Minnesota-Morris's $50,919. This stark difference illustrates how the choice of institution can directly affect future financial stability. Moreover, Carleton's 90% graduation rate contrasts with the 62% at Morris, underlining the importance of program support and student engagement.
After reviewing the data, think about how these figures align with your individual priorities. If minimizing debt is crucial, the University of Minnesota-Morris might appeal with its lower net price. However, if you aim for higher earning potential, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities or Carleton College could be worth the investment. Reflect on what aspects of your college experience matter most — whether it's campus culture, resources available in psychology, or location — as these factors will shape your overall experience.
Ultimately, the decision about which psychology program to choose impacts not just your education but also your future career and financial wellbeing. A degree in psychology can lead to diverse career paths, but the right school can enhance your chances of success. With careful consideration of these outcomes, one family may find that investing in a school with higher earnings and graduation rates provides a more stable foundation for their future.
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 Psychology Colleges in Minnesota: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Psychology Colleges in Minnesota ranking? +
Carleton College in Northfield, MN ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Psychology 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? +
Carleton College posts the highest median earnings on this list: $75,525 ten years after enrollment, well above the $59,213 average across the 28 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 64% 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 $21,295 a year across the 28 ranked schools with cost data. University of Minnesota-Morris is among the most affordable at roughly $8,837. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Psychology 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 28 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
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