Skip to main content

Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Minnesota

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

University of Minnesota-Morris delivers the state's best value in teacher education with a net cost of just $9,110, nearly $5,000 less than the next lowest option. This small liberal arts campus in western Minnesota produces graduates earning $39,729, placing it third highest among all programs despite having the lowest cost. The earnings advantage reflects Minnesota's teacher shortage, particularly in rural districts where starting salaries have increased to attract qualified educators. Public universities dominate the value rankings, with eight of the top ten spots offering net costs below $18,500. Private institutions like Hamline University command higher prices at $21,385 but deliver competitive outcomes with graduates earning $40,275. Minnesota's commitment to education funding through the state grant program helps keep costs manageable, while the presence of major employers like 3M and Medtronic creates demand for STEM educators. Teacher preparation programs here benefit from partnerships with Minneapolis and Saint Paul school districts, providing extensive field experience opportunities.
28
Programs
$9,110 – $30,525
Net Price Range
$37,797
Avg. Program Earnings
62.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

28 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $9,110 $39,729 $14,288 61.9% 77.7%
2 $14,485 $37,352 $10,117 46.9% 95.3%
3 $14,760 $36,786 $10,304 44.1% 91.6%
4 $17,139 $41,342 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
5 $18,464 $39,585 $14,318 64.5% 80.7%
6 $18,148 $37,883 $10,498 60.9% 73.8%
7 $17,566 $36,668 $25,000 58.8% 69.1%
8 $17,816 $36,866 $10,336 54.6% 56.6%
9 $17,050 $35,157 $10,164 53.4% 77.5%
10 $18,609 $38,195 $9,490 54.1% 70.7%
11 $19,181 $38,289 $9,780 38.4% 81.7%
12 $21,385 $40,275 $48,311 57.7% 80.6%
13 $20,483 $37,856 $17,770 71.4% 83.7%
14 $21,563 $37,208 $49,758 65.1% 92.5%
15 $21,034 $35,772 $43,160 67.7% 96.8%
16 $23,574 $38,289 $29,460 63.6% 90.8%
17 $25,651 $39,909 $30,020 71.8% 65.5%
18 $23,875 $35,274 $43,942 52.4% 76.5%
19 $26,895 $38,829 $54,310 75.9% 73.9%
20 $23,949 $34,348 $40,454 63.0% 96.6%
21 $25,140 $35,518 $36,830 68.4% 92.5%
22 $28,439 $39,153 $42,930 75.2% 72.5%
23 $28,065 $38,289 $53,884 83.0% 87.8%
24 $30,525 $41,087 $52,284 75.2% 77.0%
25 $27,324 $35,276 $30,200 64.3% 66.6%
26 $17,680 $30,010 59.6% 58.5%
27 $27,018 $53,942 75.7% 86.2%
28 $10,874 $13,120 49.7% 57.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Minnesota-Morris such an strong value for teacher education?

Morris combines the lowest net cost at $9,110 with strong graduate outcomes, producing teachers who earn $39,729 annually. The small campus size allows for personalized attention with a 61.90% graduation rate. Students also graduate with moderate debt levels of $22,866, making it financially sustainable for new teachers entering the profession.

How do public and private teacher education programs compare in Minnesota?

Public universities offer significantly better value, with net costs ranging from $9,110 to $19,181 compared to private institutions at $17,566 to $21,563. However, graduates from both sectors earn similar salaries, with public school graduates averaging $37,500 and private school graduates earning around $38,000. The Minnesota State Grant system helps level the playing field for students at public institutions.

Is the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities worth the higher cost for teacher education?

Twin Cities offers the highest graduate earnings at $41,342 despite a net cost of $17,139. The 84.80% graduation rate significantly exceeds other programs, and graduates carry only $19,497 in debt. The Minneapolis location provides access to varied school partnerships and urban teaching experiences that many rural programs cannot offer.

Where do teacher education graduates find the best job opportunities in Minnesota?

Minnesota faces teacher shortages in rural areas and STEM subjects, creating strong demand for new graduates. The Twin Cities metro area offers the highest salaries, while outstate districts provide loan forgiveness programs and housing incentives. Charter schools and private institutions also compete for qualified teachers, particularly those with specialized training in special education or English language learning.

Does program selectivity affect teacher education quality in Minnesota?

Acceptance rates vary widely from 56.62% at Minnesota State Moorhead to 96.83% at Saint Mary's, but graduation rates don't always correlate with selectivity. Martin Luther College maintains a 71.40% graduation rate with 83.72% acceptance, while highly selective programs sometimes struggle with completion. The key factor appears to be institutional support and field experience quality rather than admission standards.

More Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Rankings

Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods in Minnesota Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Under $20,000 in Minnesota

Related

All Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs Best Colleges in Minnesota Best Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods in Minnesota

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