2026 Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Morris, our #1 best value for education in Minnesota. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,526 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,710. Education graduates carry a median of $24,767 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $46,414. That is a strong return on a $24,767 median debt. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,029. Education graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $44,387 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ridgewater College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,556. Education graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $42,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes St Cloud Technical And Community College one of the best values for education. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,734. Education graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $48,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Students borrow a median of $17,650 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $38,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northland Community And Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Thief River Falls. Students from in state pay about $6,289 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,550 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Northland Community And Technical College earn a median of $46,528 early in their careers. Set against $18,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $19,378 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $44,234 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Education graduates carry a median of $24,036 in student loans. Education graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $43,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alexandria Technical And Community College came in at #9 for value in education this year. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexandria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,054. Early-career education graduates make about $26,671. That is a strong return on a $14,054 median debt.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,842. Early-career education graduates make about $46,429. Set against $29,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #11 spot for education value this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Students borrow a median of $29,055 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $46,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Students borrow a median of $23,911 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $47,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $48,357. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
Bethany Lutheran College came in at #14 for value in education this year. Bethany Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,360. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,000. Education graduates of Bethany Lutheran College earn a median of $44,462 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Students borrow a median of $29,421 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $50,905. Set against $29,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Winona State University earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Education graduates carry a median of $26,772 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $43,822. Set against $26,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,043. Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $41,961 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,043 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Capella University earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $78,566. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #19 among the best values for education. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,285. Early-career education graduates make about $54,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rasmussen College Minnesota placed #20 among the best values for education. Set in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,199. Education graduates carry a median of $26,710 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $28,533. That is a strong return on a $26,710 median debt.
Martin Luther College earned the #21 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,120. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $46,706. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Martin Luther College admits about 87% of applicants.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota placed #22 among the best values for education. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,081. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $76,850. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Metropolitan State University placed #23 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Education graduates carry a median of $28,019 in student loans. Education graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $45,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,019 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Hamline University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $65,544. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
St Olaf College came in at #25 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,760. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $47,807 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 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 Major Best Value · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
