Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Minnesota State University-Mankato worth it?
Pay $19,139/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $56,922 ten years out — about 3.0× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Minnesota State University-Mankato vs Minnesota avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Minnesota college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Minnesota State University-Mankato | Minnesota avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $19,139 | $18,971 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $56,922 | $53,271 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $21,106 | $18,975 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 54% | 52.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 88.4% | 74.9% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $95,980 over four years. Most students get $4,856/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $21,106 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 37% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Minnesota State University-Mankato grad earns about $476,880 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Minnesota State University-Mankato
The average student at Minnesota State University-Mankato pays $19,139 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $23,995 published sticker price. That is above the MN average net price of $18,971.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $56,922 — above the MN median of $53,271. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $21,106, roughly $229 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 37% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Minnesota colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Minnesota State University-Mankato.
Rochester, MN · Public University of Minnesota-Rochester A 
Winona, MN · Private Non-Profit Saint Mary's University of Minnesota A 
Crookston, MN · Public University of Minnesota-Crookston A Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Minnesota State University-Mankato?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $19,139 per year. That's $4,856/yr in financial aid against the $23,995 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $76,556.
How much do Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates earn a median of $56,922 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.0× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $21,106 — about $229/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 40.4% of students take federal loans.
Is Minnesota State University-Mankato worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Minnesota State University-Mankato a value grade of B — top 50% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $19,139/yr, earn $56,922/yr ten years out, ROI score of 7.44. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Minnesota State University-Mankato?
21% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 40.4% take federal student loans. On average, students get $4,856 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Minnesota State University-Mankato?
In-state tuition is $9,572 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $18,942 per year — a difference of $9,370/yr or $37,480 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Minnesota State University-Mankato?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $12,339. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $22,798. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →