by our College Data Analytics TeamIt's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota ranking is part of that endeavor. A school that typically has a high sticker price may actually be very affordable, depending on how much need-based financial aid you receive.
See What's Included in This Value Report:
We analyzed 54 schools across Minnesota to determine which have the best value programs. To come up with this ranking of the best value schools, we look at factors that are all objective measurements. We explain more about what we look at and why we do so below.
The first step of determing the value of a school in our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota ranking is to look at the school's average net price for students with families that make $30-$48k a year. The net price is the sum of tuition, fees, and room and board minus any financial aid awarded to the student. But, a school that excels in providing value for your money must also be a great school overall as well.
To take this into account we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a collection of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
We go into more detail on these factors on our best value ranking methodology page.
Keep scrolling for the top schools in this ranking or select one of the other rankings methods below.
If you know what major you want to study, check out our list of the best value schools by major. If you're interested in other degree levels, you can view one of the lists below.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities tops this year’s ranking as the best value (income $30-$48k) school in Minnesota for overall quality. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is ranked #1 for quality in the state of Minnesota. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $8,356.
A rank of #2 on our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota list means University of Minnesota - Crookston is a great place for students working on their degree. UMN Crookston is a public institution located in Crookston, Minnesota.
University of Minnesota - Crookston has the honor of being ranked #26 in Minnesota for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $5,525.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Morris. It ranked #3 on our 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota list. This small public school is located in Morris, Minnesota.
University of Minnesota - Morris has the honor of being ranked #44 in Minnesota for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $3,397.
The quality degree programs at Hennepin Technical College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota. Hennepin Technical College is a small public school situated in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Hennepin Technical College is ranked #5 for quality in the state of Minnesota. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $10,295.
Out of the 54 schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #5 spot on the list. UMN Duluth is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota.
Not only is University of Minnesota - Duluth a great value, but it is also ranked #10 in Minnesota for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $8,677.
Macalester College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota ranking, coming in at #6. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Macalester College is ranked #7 for quality in the state of Minnesota. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $11,010.
St Cloud Technical and Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota ranking. St Cloud Technical and Community College is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and has a small student population. It is a public school.
St Cloud Technical and Community College has the honor of being ranked #32 in Minnesota for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $7,335.
Learn More About Value at St Cloud Technical and Community College
Century College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota list. Century College is a public institution located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Century College is ranked #25 for quality in the state of Minnesota. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $8,398.
Dakota County Technical College landed the #9 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota ranking. Dakota County Technical College is a small public school located in Rosemount, Minnesota.
Dakota County Technical College has the honor of being ranked #15 in Minnesota for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $10,143.
With a ranking of #10, St Olaf College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Northfield, Minnesota.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, St Olaf College is ranked #6 for quality in the state of Minnesota. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $12,602.
Normandale Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota ranking. Normandale Community College is a public institution located in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Not only is Normandale Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #22 in Minnesota for overall quality. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $9,811.
With a ranking of #12, Carleton College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota list. Carleton College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Northfield, Minnesota.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Carleton College is ranked #2 for quality in the state of Minnesota. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $15,081.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota list. M State is located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. It is a public school.
Not only is Minnesota State Community and Technical College a great value, but it is also ranked #41 in Minnesota for overall quality. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $7,809.
Read full value report on Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota ranking. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large public school located in Mankato, Minnesota.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Minnesota State University - Mankato is ranked #11 for quality in the state of Minnesota. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $11,808.
Read full value report on Minnesota State University - Mankato
Inver Hills Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota ranking, coming in at #15. This small public school is located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.
Inver Hills Community College has the honor of being ranked #43 in Minnesota for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $8,611.
With a ranking of #16, North Hennepin Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota list. This medium-sized public school is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
North Hennepin Community College has the honor of being ranked #39 in Minnesota for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $9,187.
Winona State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota list. This medium-sized public school is located in Winona, Minnesota.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Winona State University is ranked #18 for quality in the state of Minnesota. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $12,110.
Ridgewater College landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota ranking. Ridgewater College is a public institution located in Willmar, Minnesota.
Ridgewater College has the honor of being ranked #38 in Minnesota for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $9,636.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota list. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and has a fairly large student population. It is a public school.
Saint Cloud State University has the honor of being ranked #27 in Minnesota for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $11,493.
Anoka Technical College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota list. Anoka Technical College is a public institution located in Anoka, Minnesota.
Anoka Technical College has the honor of being ranked #33 in Minnesota for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $11,207.
Saint Paul College landed the #21 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the school is a medium-sized public institution.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Saint Paul College is ranked #35 for quality in the state of Minnesota. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $30-$48k per year is $10,927.
With a ranking of #22, Alexandria Technical & Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota list. Alexandria, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Alexandria Technical & Community College is ranked #36 for quality in the state of Minnesota. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $10,860.
Read full value report on Alexandria Technical & Community College
Minnesota State University - Moorhead came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota ranking. Moorhead, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Minnesota State University - Moorhead is ranked #28 for quality in the state of Minnesota. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $12,716.
Read full value report on Minnesota State University - Moorhead
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota ranking. SMU MN is located in Winona, Minnesota and has a small student population. It is a private not-for-profit school.
Not only is Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota a great value, but it is also ranked #19 in Minnesota for overall quality. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $13,579.
Southwest Minnesota State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $30-$48k) in Minnesota ranking, coming in at #25. Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. It is a public school.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Southwest Minnesota State University is ranked #46 for quality in the state of Minnesota. Students from families who make $30-$48k a year pay an annual average net price of $10,511.
Read full value report on Southwest Minnesota State University
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Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.