Best Value Biology Colleges in Minnesota

University of Minnesota-Morris delivers extraordinary value for biology students at just $9,110 net cost, making it the most affordable option among Minnesota's 20 biology programs. This small public liberal arts college contrasts sharply with private alternatives like Saint Mary's University, which costs $21,034 but offers the highest graduate earnings at $47,118. The $17,908 cost spread between the cheapest and most expensive programs reflects Minnesota's mix of accessible state universities and specialized private institutions. Biology graduates across these programs earn between $26,264 and $47,118, positioning them well for Minnesota's expanding healthcare sector anchored by Mayo Clinic and UnitedHealth Group. Public universities dominate the value market, with eight of the top ten spots occupied by state schools that keep net costs below $19,000 while maintaining solid employment outcomes.

Programs

$9,110 – $30,525

Net Price Range

$32,005

Avg. Program Earnings

66.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

31 Biology, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, Minnesota	$9,110	$26,933	$14,288	61.9%	77.7%
2	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, Minnesota	$14,485	$38,289	$10,117	46.9%	95.3%
3	Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, Minnesota	$14,760	$33,993	$10,304	44.1%	91.6%
4	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, Minnesota	$21,034	$47,118	$43,160	67.7%	96.8%
5	Winona State University Winona, Minnesota	$18,148	$38,289	$10,498	60.9%	73.8%
6	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$35,664	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
7	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181	$39,729	$9,780	38.4%	81.7%
8	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$35,653	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
9	Bemidji State University Bemidji, Minnesota	$17,050	$31,314	$10,164	53.4%	77.5%
10	St Catherine University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,563	$39,009	$49,758	65.1%	92.5%
11	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, Minnesota	$18,464	$32,711	$14,318	64.5%	80.7%
12	Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$17,816	$31,236	$10,336	54.6%	56.6%
13	Bethany Lutheran College Mankato, Minnesota	$17,680	$29,685	$30,010	59.6%	58.5%
14	Hamline University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,385	$35,274	$48,311	57.7%	80.6%
15	Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,875	$36,848	$43,942	52.4%	76.5%
16	University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$25,140	$35,416	$36,830	68.4%	92.5%
17	St Olaf College Northfield, Minnesota	$22,752	$29,685	$56,970	83.5%	56.4%
18	Saint Johns University Collegeville, Minnesota	$27,018	$28,598	$53,942	75.7%	86.2%
19	Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$25,651	$26,353	$30,020	71.8%	65.5%
20	Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, Minnesota	$26,895	$26,264	$54,310	75.9%	73.9%
21	The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, Minnesota	$23,949	$23,284	$40,454	63.0%	96.6%
22	College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, Minnesota	$28,065	$27,126	$53,884	83.0%	87.8%
23	Bethel University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$28,439	$26,585	$42,930	75.2%	72.5%
24	Macalester College Saint Paul, Minnesota	$29,980	$27,222	$64,908	90.4%	28.4%
25	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$30,525	$26,817	$52,284	75.2%	77.0%
26	Carleton College Northfield, Minnesota	$27,320	$23,034	$65,457	91.2%	16.6%
27	North Central University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,574		$29,460	63.6%	90.8%
28	Northwestern Health Sciences University Bloomington, Minnesota	$29,794		$12,015	100.0%
29	University of Minnesota-Crookston Crookston, Minnesota	$10,874		$13,120	49.7%	57.2%
30	Crown College Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota	$27,324		$30,200	64.3%	66.6%
31	Concordia University-Saint Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$17,566		$25,000	58.8%	69.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Minnesota-Morris such good value for biology students?

Minnesota-Morris combines the lowest net cost at $9,110 with a respectable 61.90% graduation rate and $26,933 average earnings. Students graduate with manageable debt of $18,577, well below the state average. The school maintains high academic standards with a 77.66% acceptance rate while offering the financial accessibility of a public institution.

How do private school biology programs compare to public options in Minnesota?

Private schools like Saint Mary's University command significantly higher costs but often deliver stronger earnings outcomes. Saint Mary's graduates earn $47,118 compared to the $35,664 average at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. However, private schools cost $21,000-$24,000 annually versus $9,000-$18,000 for public alternatives. The earnings premium may justify the investment for students planning advanced medical or research careers.

Is the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities worth the higher cost for biology?

The Twin Cities campus costs $17,139 net but offers an strong 84.80% graduation rate, the highest among Minnesota biology programs. Graduates earn $35,664 with relatively low debt of $19,882. The school's research opportunities and connections to Minnesota's biotech corridor provide networking advantages that smaller programs cannot match.

Does location affect biology graduate earnings in Minnesota?

Metropolitan areas generally offer higher earnings potential for biology graduates. Saint Mary's University in Winona leads with $47,118 average earnings, while Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul graduates earn $39,729. Rural campuses like Southwest Minnesota State show lower earnings at $33,993, reflecting regional job market differences. Twin Cities proximity provides access to major healthcare employers and research institutions.

Where can biology students find the best graduation rates in Minnesota?

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities leads with an 84.80% graduation rate, followed by Saint Mary's University at 67.70% and St Catherine University at 65.10%. Public universities show more variation, with Morris achieving 61.90% while Metropolitan State drops to 38.40%. Higher graduation rates typically correlate with better student support services and academic resources.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.