Best Value History Colleges in Minnesota

History students at University of Minnesota-Morris achieve the highest earnings in the state at $31,839 annually while paying just $9,110 in net costs, creating an strong return on investment. This stark contrast with private institutions like St. Olaf College, where students pay $22,752 but earn only $22,920, highlights how public universities deliver superior value for history majors. Minnesota's solid heritage tourism industry and numerous historical societies provide natural career paths for graduates, while major employers like the Minnesota Historical Society and National Park Service offer specialized opportunities. The state's 15 history programs span a wide cost range from $9,110 to $30,525, yet earnings vary dramatically from $15,288 to $31,839. Public institutions dominate the value equation, with four of the top five schools charging under $19,000 in net costs. The University of Minnesota system particularly stands out, placing three campuses in advantageous positions for cost-conscious students seeking strong career outcomes.

Programs

$9,110 – $30,525

Net Price Range

$26,044

Avg. Program Earnings

65.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

28 History Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, Minnesota	$9,110	$31,839	$14,288	61.9%	77.7%
2	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, Minnesota	$18,464	$29,685	$14,318	64.5%	80.7%
3	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$27,222	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
4	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$28,236	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
5	Winona State University Winona, Minnesota	$18,148	$26,353	$10,498	60.9%	73.8%
6	Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, Minnesota	$26,895	$28,236	$54,310	75.9%	73.9%
7	St Olaf College Northfield, Minnesota	$22,752	$22,920	$56,970	83.5%	56.4%
8	Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$25,651	$24,615	$30,020	71.8%	65.5%
9	Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,875	$15,288	$43,942	52.4%	76.5%
10	University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$25,140		$36,830	68.4%	92.5%
11	Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, Minnesota	$14,760		$10,304	44.1%	91.6%
12	St Catherine University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,563		$49,758	65.1%	92.5%
13	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$30,525		$52,284	75.2%	77.0%
14	The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, Minnesota	$23,949		$40,454	63.0%	96.6%
15	Crown College Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota	$27,324		$30,200	64.3%	66.6%
16	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, Minnesota	$21,034		$43,160	67.7%	96.8%
17	Saint Johns University Collegeville, Minnesota	$27,018		$53,942	75.7%	86.2%
18	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, Minnesota	$14,485		$10,117	46.9%	95.3%
19	College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, Minnesota	$28,065		$53,884	83.0%	87.8%
20	Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$17,816		$10,336	54.6%	56.6%
21	Bemidji State University Bemidji, Minnesota	$17,050		$10,164	53.4%	77.5%
22	Bethany Lutheran College Mankato, Minnesota	$17,680		$30,010	59.6%	58.5%
23	Bethel University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$28,439		$42,930	75.2%	72.5%
24	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181		$9,780	38.4%	81.7%
25	Carleton College Northfield, Minnesota	$27,320		$65,457	91.2%	16.6%
26	Macalester College Saint Paul, Minnesota	$29,980		$64,908	90.4%	28.4%
27	Hamline University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,385		$48,311	57.7%	80.6%
28	Concordia University-Saint Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$17,566		$25,000	58.8%	69.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Minnesota-Morris the best value for history majors?

UMN-Morris combines the lowest net cost in the state at $9,110 with the highest graduate earnings at $31,839. This creates a cost-to-earnings ratio that outperforms every other Minnesota institution. The school maintains a 61.90% graduation rate while accepting 77.66% of applicants, making it both accessible and effective for history students.

How do private college costs compare to earnings for history graduates?

Private institutions charge significantly more but often produce lower earnings than public alternatives. St. Olaf College costs $22,752 annually but graduates earn just $22,920, barely covering their educational investment. Augsburg University represents the worst value proposition, charging $23,875 while graduates earn only $15,288 annually.

Does the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities justify its higher costs?

The Twin Cities campus charges $17,139 in net costs but produces graduates earning $27,222 annually. While more expensive than Morris, it offers an 84.80% graduation rate, the highest among public institutions. Students graduate with $19,000 in debt, which remains manageable given the metropolitan job market advantages.

What career opportunities exist for history graduates in Minnesota?

Minnesota's economy supports history careers through heritage tourism, museums, and government agencies. The Minnesota Historical Society employs numerous graduates, while the state's 76 state parks and historic sites create additional opportunities. Corporate archives at companies like 3M and Target also hire history majors for research and documentation roles.

Is there a significant difference between in-state and net costs for public universities?

Public universities show varied pricing structures beyond simple in-state tuition. UMN-Morris charges $14,288 for in-state tuition but only $9,110 in net costs due to financial aid. Minnesota State-Mankato demonstrates the biggest gap, with $9,490 in-state tuition expanding to $18,609 in net costs after accounting for additional expenses.

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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.