Best Value Marketing Colleges in Minnesota

The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities produces marketing graduates earning $56,681 annually while maintaining a net price of just $17,139, creating one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. This flagship campus leads all Minnesota marketing programs in graduate earnings by more than $6,000, yet costs less than many private alternatives charging over $40,000. Minnesota's corporate market, anchored by Target's headquarters in Minneapolis and UnitedHealth's massive presence, creates abundant marketing opportunities for graduates. Public institutions dominate the value rankings, with seven of the top eight spots occupied by state universities. The earnings range spans from $37,424 to $56,681, while net prices vary dramatically from $10,874 at Minnesota-Crookston to over $23,000 at private colleges. State residents benefit significantly from in-state tuition rates, with some paying as little as $9,490 annually at Minnesota State University-Mankato despite strong graduate outcomes of $46,478.

Programs

$10,874 – $30,525

Net Price Range

$44,935

Avg. Program Earnings

57.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Marketing Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Minnesota-Crookston Crookston, Minnesota	$10,874	$42,682	$13,120	49.7%	57.2%
2	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$56,681	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
3	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, Minnesota	$14,485	$44,170	$10,117	46.9%	95.3%
4	Concordia University-Saint Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$17,566	$49,464	$25,000	58.8%	69.1%
5	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, Minnesota	$18,464	$50,231	$14,318	64.5%	80.7%
6	Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, Minnesota	$14,760	$37,424	$10,304	44.1%	91.6%
7	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$46,478	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
8	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181	$46,087	$9,780	38.4%	81.7%
9	Winona State University Winona, Minnesota	$18,148	$42,402	$10,498	60.9%	73.8%
10	Rasmussen University-Minnesota St. Cloud, Minnesota	$19,071	$43,240	$10,899	53.2%
11	Capella University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$18,305	$39,153	$14,436	33.3%
12	Hamline University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,385	$43,575	$48,311	57.7%	80.6%
13	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, Minnesota	$21,034	$42,309	$43,160	67.7%	96.8%
14	The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, Minnesota	$23,949	$44,928	$40,454	63.0%	96.6%
15	Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,875	$42,402	$43,942	52.4%	76.5%
16	University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$25,140	$43,426	$36,830	68.4%	92.5%
17	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$30,525	$49,235	$52,284	75.2%	77.0%
18	Oak Hills Christian College Bemidji, Minnesota	$24,674		$18,910	30.8%
19	Crown College Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota	$27,324		$30,200	64.3%	66.6%
20	St Catherine University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,563		$49,758	65.1%	92.5%
21	North Central University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,574		$29,460	63.6%	90.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Minnesota-Twin Cities the top value for marketing?

Minnesota-Twin Cities combines the highest graduate earnings at $56,681 with a reasonable net price of $17,139, creating strong return on investment. The program maintains an 84.80% graduation rate, far above most competitors. Its location in Minneapolis provides direct access to major employers like Target, 3M, and General Mills. The 74.91% acceptance rate makes admission competitive but achievable for qualified students.

How do public universities compare to private colleges for marketing value?

Public universities claim seven of the eight best value positions, with net prices averaging $16,000 compared to over $21,000 for private institutions. Minnesota residents pay particularly low in-state rates, with some schools charging under $10,000 annually. Graduate earnings between public and private programs show minimal differences, with public school graduates often outperforming their private counterparts. The debt burden at public institutions averages $21,000 compared to $23,000 at private colleges.

Is University of Minnesota-Crookston worth considering despite lower earnings?

Crookston offers the lowest net price at $10,874, making it attractive for cost-conscious students willing to accept lower earnings of $42,682. The 57.22% acceptance rate and rural location may appeal to students seeking smaller class sizes. However, the 49.70% graduation rate raises concerns about student success. The $18,500 average debt load remains manageable relative to typical starting salaries.

Does Minnesota's job market support marketing graduates effectively?

Minnesota hosts numerous Fortune 500 companies requiring marketing talent, including Target, Best Buy, and Land O'Lakes. The Twin Cities metropolitan area concentrates most opportunities, benefiting students from Minneapolis-area programs. Healthcare giants like UnitedHealth and Mayo Clinic also employ marketing professionals extensively. Graduate earnings ranging from $37,424 to $56,681 reflect this strong demand across various industries and company sizes.

Where should students focus if graduation rates matter most?

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities leads with an 84.80% graduation rate while delivering top earnings of $56,681. Minnesota-Duluth follows with 64.50% completion and strong earnings of $50,231. Saint Mary's University achieves 67.70% graduation rates among private options, though at higher cost. Metropolitan State University shows concerning 38.40% graduation rates despite reasonable pricing and decent earning potential.

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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.