Cheapest Engineering Colleges in Minnesota

Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates with engineering degrees earn $63,302 while carrying just $13,936 in debt, creating one of the strongest return-on-investment ratios among the state's five general engineering programs. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities charges $17,139 net price despite its research status, making advanced engineering education accessible to students planning careers with Target's technology division or UnitedHealth's digital infrastructure teams. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with four of five schools offering net prices below $19,000.

Programs

$17,139 – $25,140

Net Price Range

$63,302

Avg. Program Earnings

66.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

5 Engineering, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
2	Winona State University Winona, Minnesota	$18,148	$10,498	60.9%	73.8%
3	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, Minnesota	$18,464	$14,318	64.5%	80.7%
4	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
5	University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$25,140	$36,830	68.4%	92.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Minnesota-Twin Cities cost only $17,139 despite being a major research university?

The university benefits from strong state funding and maintains an 84.80% graduation rate while accepting 74.91% of applicants. In-state students pay just $16,488 in tuition, with financial aid bringing the net price down further for most families.

How much debt do Minnesota engineering students typically graduate with?

Debt loads vary significantly across programs, from $13,936 at Minnesota State University-Mankato to $21,399 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The lower debt at Mankato makes particular sense given that graduates earn $63,302, creating a manageable debt-to-income ratio.

Does choosing a smaller Minnesota engineering program affect graduation rates?

Smaller programs show mixed results, with Winona State University achieving a 60.90% graduation rate while University of Northwestern-St Paul reaches 68.40%. The University of Minnesota-Duluth maintains a 64.50% rate with an 80.70% acceptance rate.

More Engineering, General Rankings

Best Value Engineering, General in Minnesota Engineering, General Under $20,000 in Minnesota

All Engineering, General Programs Best Colleges in Minnesota Best Engineering, General in Minnesota

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