Cost & ROI · 2026
Is University of Minnesota-Duluth worth it?
Pay $18,743/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $62,616 ten years out — about 3.3× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
University of Minnesota-Duluth vs Minnesota avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Minnesota college and the typical US college.
| Metric | University of Minnesota-Duluth | Minnesota avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $18,743 | $18,971 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $62,616 | $53,271 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $22,024 | $18,975 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 64.7% | 52.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 88.8% | 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 $110,720 over four years. Most students get $8,937/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $22,024 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 35% 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth grad earns about $704,640 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth
The average student at University of Minnesota-Duluth pays $18,743 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $27,680 published sticker price. That is below the MN average net price of $18,971.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $62,616 — above the MN median of $53,271. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $22,024, roughly $239 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 35% 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth.
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 University of Minnesota-Duluth?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $18,743 per year. That's $8,937/yr in financial aid against the $27,680 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $74,972.
How much do University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates earn a median of $62,616 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.3× the annual net cost.
How much debt do University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $22,024 — about $239/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 43.9% of students take federal loans.
Is University of Minnesota-Duluth worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns University of Minnesota-Duluth a value grade of B — top 42% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $18,743/yr, earn $62,616/yr ten years out, ROI score of 8.35. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at University of Minnesota-Duluth?
18.8% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 43.9% take federal student loans. On average, students get $8,937 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at University of Minnesota-Duluth?
In-state tuition is $14,610 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $20,130 per year — a difference of $5,520/yr or $22,080 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at University of Minnesota-Duluth?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $7,256. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $24,453. 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 →