Best Value Philosophy Colleges in Minnesota

The earnings gap between Philosophy graduates at Minnesota schools reveals stark differences in career preparation. Gustavus Adolphus College produces the highest-earning Philosophy alumni at $37,568, while Hamline University graduates earn $22,192 despite similar net costs around $22,000. This $15,000 earnings difference suggests varying levels of career readiness and networking opportunities. The University of Minnesota-Morris offers the state's most affordable option at $9,110 net cost, making philosophical education accessible to students from all backgrounds. Minnesota's corporate headquarters culture, including companies like Target and 3M that value critical thinking skills, provides Philosophy graduates with unique opportunities in corporate ethics, policy analysis, and strategic planning roles that benefit from philosophical training in logic and argumentation.

Programs

$9,110 – $30,525

Net Price Range

$29,721

Avg. Program Earnings

66.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

24 Philosophy Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	St Olaf College Northfield, Minnesota	$22,752	$35,416	$56,970	83.5%	56.4%
2	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$25,194	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
3	Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, Minnesota	$26,895	$37,568	$54,310	75.9%	73.9%
4	Hamline University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,385	$22,192	$48,311	57.7%	80.6%
5	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$30,525	$28,236	$52,284	75.2%	77.0%
6	University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, Minnesota	$9,110		$14,288	61.9%	77.7%
7	Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, Minnesota	$14,760		$10,304	44.1%	91.6%
8	St Catherine University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,563		$49,758	65.1%	92.5%
9	The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, Minnesota	$23,949		$40,454	63.0%	96.6%
10	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, Minnesota	$21,034		$43,160	67.7%	96.8%
11	Saint Johns University Collegeville, Minnesota	$27,018		$53,942	75.7%	86.2%
12	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, Minnesota	$14,485		$10,117	46.9%	95.3%
13	College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, Minnesota	$28,065		$53,884	83.0%	87.8%
14	University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$25,140		$36,830	68.4%	92.5%
15	Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$17,816		$10,336	54.6%	56.6%
16	Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,875		$43,942	52.4%	76.5%
17	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, Minnesota	$18,464		$14,318	64.5%	80.7%
18	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181		$9,780	38.4%	81.7%
19	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609		$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
20	Macalester College Saint Paul, Minnesota	$29,980		$64,908	90.4%	28.4%
21	Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$25,651		$30,020	71.8%	65.5%
22	Carleton College Northfield, Minnesota	$27,320		$65,457	91.2%	16.6%
23	Bethel University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$28,439		$42,930	75.2%	72.5%
24	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 Philosophy students?

The Morris campus offers Philosophy education for just $9,110 net cost annually, the lowest in the state. Students pay roughly $8,000 less than the next cheapest option at Southwest Minnesota State. The small liberal arts environment provides close faculty mentorship while maintaining public university affordability. The 61.9% graduation rate reflects the campus's commitment to student success despite budget constraints.

How do private college Philosophy programs compare in terms of career outcomes?

Gustavus Adolphus leads private schools with Philosophy graduates earning $37,568, significantly higher than the $28,236 average at University of St Thomas despite both charging similar tuition. St Olaf College produces graduates earning $35,416 with a strong 83.5% graduation rate. The $15,000+ earnings gap between top and bottom private schools suggests program quality varies considerably even at similar price points.

Is the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities worth considering for Philosophy majors?

The Twin Cities campus offers excellent value at $17,139 net cost with graduates earning $25,194 annually. The 84.8% graduation rate ranks among the state's highest, while the 75% acceptance rate maintains selectivity standards. Students benefit from Minneapolis job market access and the university's research opportunities. The combination of affordability, outcomes, and urban location makes it highly competitive.

Does attending a more expensive Philosophy program guarantee better earnings?

Not necessarily, as the data shows mixed results across price ranges. University of St Thomas costs $30,525 net but graduates earn just $28,236, less than Gustavus Adolphus graduates who pay $26,895. St Olaf students pay $22,752 and earn $35,416, demonstrating that mid-priced programs can deliver superior career outcomes. Program quality and alumni networks matter more than tuition costs alone.

Where do Philosophy graduates typically find employment in Minnesota?

Minnesota's corporate headquarters economy creates demand for Philosophy graduates in ethics compliance, policy analysis, and strategic planning roles. Companies like Target, UnitedHealth, and 3M value critical thinking skills for management training programs. The state's strong nonprofit sector and government agencies also hire Philosophy majors for research and communications positions. Minneapolis-St. Paul's legal community provides additional opportunities in paralegal and legal support roles.

More Philosophy Rankings

Cheapest Philosophy in Minnesota Philosophy Under $20,000 in Minnesota

All Philosophy Programs Best Colleges in Minnesota Best Philosophy in Minnesota

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