Best Value Chemistry Colleges in Minnesota

The University of Minnesota-Morris stands out as Minnesota's most affordable Chemistry option at just $9,110 net price, while Augsburg University graduates earn the highest median salary at $44,384. This $35,000 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs creates clear value distinctions across Minnesota's Chemistry market. Public universities dominate the lower cost range, with three of the four cheapest options being state schools charging under $19,000 annually. Minnesota's strong healthcare sector, anchored by Mayo Clinic and major medical device companies, creates steady demand for Chemistry graduates in pharmaceutical research, clinical laboratory work, and biotechnology development. The earnings gap spans $14,699 between highest and lowest-paying programs, making careful program selection critical for return on investment. Private colleges like Carleton achieve 91% graduation rates but cost significantly more than public alternatives.

Programs

$9,110 – $30,525

Net Price Range

$37,476

Avg. Program Earnings

65.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

26 Chemistry Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, Minnesota	$9,110	$32,569	$14,288	61.9%	77.7%
2	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$39,969	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
3	Hamline University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,385	$43,798	$48,311	57.7%	80.6%
4	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, Minnesota	$18,464	$37,208	$14,318	64.5%	80.7%
5	Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,875	$44,384	$43,942	52.4%	76.5%
6	St Olaf College Northfield, Minnesota	$22,752	$38,829	$56,970	83.5%	56.4%
7	Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$25,651	$34,704	$30,020	71.8%	65.5%
8	Carleton College Northfield, Minnesota	$27,320	$36,141	$65,457	91.2%	16.6%
9	Macalester College Saint Paul, Minnesota	$29,980	$29,685	$64,908	90.4%	28.4%
10	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$30,525		$52,284	75.2%	77.0%
11	The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, Minnesota	$23,949		$40,454	63.0%	96.6%
12	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, Minnesota	$21,034		$43,160	67.7%	96.8%
13	St Catherine University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,563		$49,758	65.1%	92.5%
14	Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, Minnesota	$14,760		$10,304	44.1%	91.6%
15	Winona State University Winona, Minnesota	$18,148		$10,498	60.9%	73.8%
16	Saint Johns University Collegeville, Minnesota	$27,018		$53,942	75.7%	86.2%
17	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, Minnesota	$14,485		$10,117	46.9%	95.3%
18	College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, Minnesota	$28,065		$53,884	83.0%	87.8%
19	Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$17,816		$10,336	54.6%	56.6%
20	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181		$9,780	38.4%	81.7%
21	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609		$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
22	Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, Minnesota	$26,895		$54,310	75.9%	73.9%
23	Concordia University-Saint Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$17,566		$25,000	58.8%	69.1%
24	Bethel University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$28,439		$42,930	75.2%	72.5%
25	Bethany Lutheran College Mankato, Minnesota	$17,680		$30,010	59.6%	58.5%
26	Bemidji State University Bemidji, Minnesota	$17,050		$10,164	53.4%	77.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Morris offers the lowest net price at $9,110 while maintaining a 62% graduation rate and producing graduates who earn $32,569 median salary. The small campus size allows for close faculty mentoring in research projects. Students get University of Minnesota resources and reputation without Twin Cities living costs.

How do public versus private Chemistry programs compare in Minnesota?

Public programs cost $9,110 to $18,464 net price while private schools range from $21,034 to $30,525. However, private programs often achieve higher graduation rates, with St Olaf at 84% and Carleton at 91%. Public school graduates from UMN-Twin Cities earn $39,969, competing well with private program outcomes.

Does attending Carleton College justify the higher cost for Chemistry majors?

Carleton charges $27,320 net price but achieves a 91% graduation rate with only 17% acceptance rate. Graduates earn $36,141 median salary and carry just $17,000 in debt. The selective admissions and high completion rates suggest strong academic support despite the premium cost.

Where do Minnesota Chemistry graduates find employment opportunities?

Mayo Clinic, UnitedHealth, and 3M provide major research and laboratory positions throughout the state. Minneapolis-St Paul hosts numerous biotechnology firms and pharmaceutical companies. The University of Minnesota medical school and research facilities also employ many Chemistry graduates in academic and clinical roles.

What explains the wide range in graduate earnings across Minnesota Chemistry programs?

Earnings span from $29,685 at Macalester to $44,384 at Augsburg University, reflecting different career paths and geographic factors. Programs near major medical centers often see higher starting salaries. Some graduates pursue advanced degrees, temporarily lowering initial earnings but improving long-term prospects in research or healthcare.

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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.