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Best Value Psychology Colleges in Minnesota

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

University of Minnesota-Morris delivers the state's most affordable psychology education at just $9,110 net cost, though graduates earn $25,194 annually compared to $37,748 at the top end. This $28,638 earnings gap reflects significant variation in career outcomes across Minnesota's psychology programs. Public universities dominate the value equation, with eight of the ten most affordable options being state schools that benefit from Minnesota's solid public funding. The state's healthcare economy, anchored by Mayo Clinic and UnitedHealth Group, creates strong demand for psychology graduates in clinical research, behavioral health, and corporate wellness roles. Saint Cloud State University exemplifies this balance, charging $14,485 while producing graduates who earn $33,459 annually. Private colleges like St Olaf College command $22,752 in net costs but achieve an 83.50% graduation rate, nearly double that of many public alternatives. Minnesota State Grant assistance helps bridge affordability gaps for qualifying students across all institution types.
30
Programs
$9,110 – $30,525
Net Price Range
$32,876
Avg. Program Earnings
64.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

30 Psychology, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $9,110 $25,194 $14,288 61.9% 77.7%
2 $14,760 $34,526 $10,304 44.1% 91.6%
3 $14,485 $33,459 $10,117 46.9% 95.3%
4 $17,139 $35,432 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
5 $17,050 $33,726 $10,164 53.4% 77.5%
6 $18,305 $36,117 $14,436 33.3%
7 $18,609 $36,129 $9,490 54.1% 70.7%
8 $17,566 $32,569 $25,000 58.8% 69.1%
9 $19,181 $35,157 $9,780 38.4% 81.7%
10 $18,464 $32,687 $14,318 64.5% 80.7%
11 $21,034 $36,401 $43,160 67.7% 96.8%
12 $18,148 $30,771 $10,498 60.9% 73.8%
13 $17,816 $29,866 $10,336 54.6% 56.6%
14 $21,385 $34,450 $48,311 57.7% 80.6%
15 $22,752 $35,060 $56,970 83.5% 56.4%
16 $23,949 $33,687 $40,454 63.0% 96.6%
17 $27,018 $37,748 $53,942 75.7% 86.2%
18 $25,140 $33,192 $36,830 68.4% 92.5%
19 $26,895 $35,179 $54,310 75.9% 73.9%
20 $27,320 $33,719 $65,457 91.2% 16.6%
21 $28,065 $34,298 $53,884 83.0% 87.8%
22 $21,563 $26,353 $49,758 65.1% 92.5%
23 $28,439 $34,526 $42,930 75.2% 72.5%
24 $23,875 $28,960 $43,942 52.4% 76.5%
25 $25,651 $30,988 $30,020 71.8% 65.5%
26 $30,525 $33,993 $52,284 75.2% 77.0%
27 $23,574 $25,194 $29,460 63.6% 90.8%
28 $29,980 $31,133 $64,908 90.4% 28.4%
29 $27,324 $30,200 64.3% 66.6%
30 $17,680 $30,010 59.6% 58.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $28,638 earnings difference between Minnesota psychology programs?

University of Minnesota-Morris graduates earn $25,194 annually while those from programs like Saint Mary's University earn $37,748, reflecting differences in alumni networks, research opportunities, and clinical training quality. Schools with higher graduation rates, like St Olaf College at 83.50%, tend to produce graduates with stronger career outcomes. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities combines reasonable costs with solid earnings of $35,432, demonstrating that public research universities can deliver strong returns.

How do Minnesota's public psychology programs compare on debt levels?

Saint Cloud State University graduates carry just $16,250 in average debt, the lowest among major programs, while attending at a net cost of $14,485. Metropolitan State University produces similar debt loads at $17,750 despite serving many working adults. Minnesota State University-Mankato charges only $9,490 for in-state students but graduates accumulate $19,608 in debt, suggesting additional living costs or longer completion times affect total borrowing.

Is University of Minnesota-Morris worth the lower earnings potential?

Morris offers the state's lowest net cost at $9,110 and maintains a solid 77.66% acceptance rate, making psychology education accessible to students who might otherwise be priced out. The $25,194 starting salary, while modest, represents a reasonable return given the minimal debt burden of $21,716. Students planning graduate school may find this low-debt foundation particularly valuable for avoiding compound interest during extended education.

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

Twin Cities charges $17,139 net but delivers an impressive 84.80% graduation rate and $35,432 average earnings, creating strong value despite higher upfront costs. The research university environment provides extensive laboratory experience and faculty mentorship that smaller programs cannot match. With debt levels at just $19,012, graduates maintain manageable payment obligations while accessing Minnesota's largest alumni network in psychology and related fields.

Where do Minnesota psychology graduates find the best job opportunities?

Minnesota's healthcare sector, led by Mayo Clinic and UnitedHealth Group, actively recruits psychology graduates for behavioral health, research, and wellness program roles. The Twin Cities metro area concentrates most opportunities, explaining why University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Metropolitan State University graduates command higher salaries. Retail giants like Target also employ psychology graduates in consumer research and human resources, creating varied career paths beyond traditional clinical settings.

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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.