Cheapest Accounting and Related Services Colleges in Minnesota

The University of Minnesota-Crookston offers the state's most affordable accounting program at $10,874 net cost, while graduates from the Twin Cities campus earn $60,594 annually,a significant $18,657 premium over Crookston alumni. Minnesota's accounting programs span a broad cost spectrum, with private institutions like Saint Mary's University charging $21,034 compared to public options under $15,000. The state's strong financial services sector, anchored by companies like UnitedHealth Group and Target Corporation, creates steady demand for accounting professionals. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with seven of the ten cheapest programs offered by state institutions. Most programs maintain acceptance rates above 70 percent, making entry relatively accessible for students. The earnings data reveals interesting patterns,University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates command the highest salaries despite the program's moderate $17,139 net cost, while specialized institutions like Herzing University produce graduates earning $41,937 with a 73.5 percent graduation rate.

Programs

$10,874 – $31,307

Net Price Range

$52,023

Avg. Program Earnings

62.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

30 Accounting and Related Services Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Minnesota-Crookston Crookston, Minnesota	$10,874	$13,120	49.7%	57.2%
2	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, Minnesota	$14,485	$10,117	46.9%	95.3%
3	Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, Minnesota	$14,760	$10,304	44.1%	91.6%
4	Herzing University-Minneapolis St. Louis Park, Minnesota	$15,205	$13,420	73.5%	94.3%
5	Bemidji State University Bemidji, Minnesota	$17,050	$10,164	53.4%	77.5%
6	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
7	Concordia University-Saint Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$17,566	$25,000	58.8%	69.1%
8	Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$17,816	$10,336	54.6%	56.6%
9	Winona State University Winona, Minnesota	$18,148	$10,498	60.9%	73.8%
10	Capella University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$18,305	$14,436	33.3%
11	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, Minnesota	$18,464	$14,318	64.5%	80.7%
12	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
13	Rasmussen University-Minnesota St. Cloud, Minnesota	$19,071	$10,899	53.2%
14	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181	$9,780	38.4%	81.7%
15	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, Minnesota	$21,034	$43,160	67.7%	96.8%
16	Hamline University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,385	$48,311	57.7%	80.6%
17	St Catherine University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,563	$49,758	65.1%	92.5%
18	North Central University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,574	$29,460	63.6%	90.8%
19	Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,875	$43,942	52.4%	76.5%
20	The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, Minnesota	$23,949	$40,454	63.0%	96.6%
21	Oak Hills Christian College Bemidji, Minnesota	$24,674	$18,910	30.8%
22	University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$25,140	$36,830	68.4%	92.5%
23	Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$25,651	$30,020	71.8%	65.5%
24	Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, Minnesota	$26,895	$54,310	75.9%	73.9%
25	Saint Johns University Collegeville, Minnesota	$27,018	$53,942	75.7%	86.2%
26	Crown College Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota	$27,324	$30,200	64.3%	66.6%
27	College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, Minnesota	$28,065	$53,884	83.0%	87.8%
28	Bethel University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$28,439	$42,930	75.2%	72.5%
29	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$30,525	$52,284	75.2%	77.0%
30	Academy College Bloomington, Minnesota	$31,307	$18,252	100.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Minnesota-Twin Cities worth the higher cost for accounting students?

Twin Cities accounting graduates earn $60,594 annually, substantially more than any other Minnesota program. The $17,139 net cost generates strong returns with an 84.8 percent graduation rate. The Minneapolis location provides direct access to major employers like UnitedHealth Group, 3M, and Target's corporate headquarters.

How do public university accounting programs compare to private options in Minnesota?

Public universities offer significantly lower net costs, with eight programs under $19,000 compared to private institutions averaging over $20,000. Saint Cloud State provides strong value at $14,485 with graduates earning $53,608 annually. The 95.28 percent acceptance rate at Saint Cloud makes it highly accessible for students seeking affordable accounting education.

Is Herzing University worth considering despite being a private institution?

Herzing charges $15,205 net cost while maintaining a 73.5 percent graduation rate, the second-highest among Minnesota accounting programs. However, graduates earn $41,937, the lowest in the state. The program's strength lies in completion rates rather than salary outcomes for accounting students.

Does location within Minnesota affect accounting program value?

Twin Cities and Duluth programs show higher graduate earnings, with UMN-Duluth students earning $52,651 compared to rural programs averaging under $48,000. Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul offers competitive value at $19,181 net cost with graduates earning $51,077. Urban locations provide better internship and job placement opportunities with major Minnesota employers.

What graduation rates should students expect from Minnesota accounting programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from 33.3 percent at Capella University to 84.8 percent at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Private nonprofit institutions average higher completion rates, with Saint Mary's achieving 67.7 percent and Concordia University-Saint Paul reaching 58.8 percent. Public universities typically maintain graduation rates between 44 and 65 percent for accounting students.

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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.