2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Minnesota
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Minnesota? We have ranked 95 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Grad Degree evaluated 18 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Minnesota
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Leading the list is Winona State University, our #1 best-value Graduate Degrees school in Minnesota. This public school is set in Winona, MN. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Winona State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,551 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winona State University has an acceptance rate of 76%. Get the full Winona State University report
You'll get strong value at Minnesota State University Mankato, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,922. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato has an acceptance rate of 88%. Get the full Minnesota State University Mankato report
Out of the 18 schools in Minnesota in this year's value ranking, Saint Cloud State University landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Saint Cloud, MN. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,813 ten years after entry. Set against $25,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%. Read the full report on Saint Cloud State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hamline University earned it the #4 place in Minnesota. Hamline University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $50,004. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,530. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read the full report on Hamline University
A rank of #5 makes Concordia University Saint Paul one of the best values in Minnesota. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Concordia University Saint Paul is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $29,026. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,871 ten years after entry. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 79% of those who apply are admitted. More on Concordia University Saint Paul
Bemidji State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. This public school is set in Bemidji, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,237. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,819. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,755. Set against $25,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%. Read the full report on Bemidji State University
Bethel University Minnesota landed the #7 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,639. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,764. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants. Get the full Bethel University Minnesota report
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winona, MN. Students from in state pay about $45,080 in tuition and fees. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,081 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,170 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Saint Marys University Of Minnesota profile
Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public school based in Moorhead, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Minnesota State University Moorhead Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,447 in debt. Minnesota State University Moorhead alumni report median earnings of $50,527 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,447 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%. Get the full Minnesota State University Moorhead report
Walden University placed #10 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Minnesota. Walden University is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,067. Walden University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $49,361 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,810. That is a strong return on a $49,361 median debt. More on Walden University
Metropolitan State University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Saint Paul, MN, Metropolitan State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Metropolitan State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $30,822 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,705 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 99% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Metropolitan State University
Augsburg College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Augsburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,452. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,319. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,829. That is a strong return on a $26,319 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Augsburg College report
The College Of Saint Scholastica came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a private not-for-profit school based in Duluth, MN. Students from in state pay about $41,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,755 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $65,934. Set against $26,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full The College Of Saint Scholastica report
St Catherine University came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Based in Saint Paul, MN, St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,428. St Catherine University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $29,883 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,282 ten years after entry. Set against $29,883 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on St Catherine University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities alumni report median earnings of $69,020 a decade after entry. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,739 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Capella University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Set in Minneapolis, MN, Capella University is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Median earnings reach $42,189 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt. More on Capella University
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Duluth, MN, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,624. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,616. Set against $24,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Duluth
Lake Superior College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Lake Superior College report
Leech Lake Tribal College landed the #20 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Get the full Leech Lake Tribal College report
Century College
Century College came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Century College
Gustavus Adolphus College placed #22 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Minnesota. Get the full Gustavus Adolphus College report
Luther Seminary
Luther Seminary ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Luther Seminary
Central Lakes College Brainerd placed #24 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Minnesota. More on Central Lakes College Brainerd
Saint Johns University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Saint Johns University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Minnesota
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Northland Community And Technical College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Northland Community And Technical College profile
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. See the full Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College profile
Avalon School Of Cosmetology landed the #28 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Get the full Avalon School Of Cosmetology report
Macalester College placed #29 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Minnesota. Read more about Macalester College
Bethany Lutheran College landed the #30 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Get the full Bethany Lutheran College report
University Of Minnesota Morris landed the #31 spot for value in Minnesota this year. See the full University Of Minnesota Morris profile
Minnesota State Community And Technical College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. See the full Minnesota State Community And Technical College profile
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Minnesota State College Southeast Technical
Oak Hills Christian College placed #34 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Minnesota. See the full Oak Hills Christian College profile
Anoka Ramsey Community College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Anoka Ramsey Community College
Normandale Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read more about Normandale Community College
Minneapolis Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read the full report on Minneapolis Community And Technical College
Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #38 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Read more about Alexandria Technical And Community College
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College placed #39 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Minnesota. See the full Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College profile
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College landed the #40 spot for value in Minnesota this year. See the full Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College profile
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Minnesota West Community And Technical College
United Theological Seminary Of The Twin Cities offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read more about United Theological Seminary Of The Twin Cities
North Central University placed #43 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Minnesota. See the full North Central University profile
College Of Saint Benedict placed #44 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Minnesota. Read the full report on College Of Saint Benedict
Dakota County Technical College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Dakota County Technical College report
Red Lake Nation College placed #46 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Minnesota. Read more about Red Lake Nation College
Model College Of Hair Design landed the #47 spot for value in Minnesota this year. More on Model College Of Hair Design
Northwestern College Minnesota landed the #48 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Get the full Northwestern College Minnesota report
Diverse Media Institute ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Diverse Media Institute
White Earth Tribal And Community College placed #50 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Minnesota. Read the full report on White Earth Tribal And Community College
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 18 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 95 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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