Cheapest Philosophy Colleges in Minnesota

The University of Minnesota-Morris stands out among Minnesota's 20 philosophy programs with a net cost of just $9,110, making it the most affordable option by a significant margin. This creates an unusual pattern where the cheapest program also offers one of the stronger graduation rates at 61.90%, while many other low-cost public options struggle with completion rates below 55%. Philosophy graduates in Minnesota find opportunities beyond traditional academic paths, particularly in the state's growing healthcare administration sector led by companies like UnitedHealth Group, where critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills prove valuable. The cost difference between public and private institutions is stark, with private colleges averaging over $21,000 in net costs compared to public universities averaging around $16,000. Saint Cloud State University follows as the second most affordable at $14,485, though its 46.90% graduation rate raises questions about support systems. Early career earnings for philosophy graduates range from $22,192 to $37,568, with St Olaf College graduates earning $35,416 annually despite the program's higher $22,752 net cost.

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	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, Minnesota	$9,110	$14,288	61.9%	77.7%
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	Bemidji State University Bemidji, Minnesota	$17,050	$10,164	53.4%	77.5%
5	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
6	Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$17,816	$10,336	54.6%	56.6%
7	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, Minnesota	$18,464	$14,318	64.5%	80.7%
8	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
9	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181	$9,780	38.4%	81.7%
10	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, Minnesota	$21,034	$43,160	67.7%	96.8%
11	Hamline University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,385	$48,311	57.7%	80.6%
12	St Catherine University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,563	$49,758	65.1%	92.5%
13	St Olaf College Northfield, Minnesota	$22,752	$56,970	83.5%	56.4%
14	Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,875	$43,942	52.4%	76.5%
15	The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, Minnesota	$23,949	$40,454	63.0%	96.6%
16	University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$25,140	$36,830	68.4%	92.5%
17	Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$25,651	$30,020	71.8%	65.5%
18	Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, Minnesota	$26,895	$54,310	75.9%	73.9%
19	Saint Johns University Collegeville, Minnesota	$27,018	$53,942	75.7%	86.2%
20	Carleton College Northfield, Minnesota	$27,320	$65,457	91.2%	16.6%
21	College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, Minnesota	$28,065	$53,884	83.0%	87.8%
22	Bethel University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$28,439	$42,930	75.2%	72.5%
23	Macalester College Saint Paul, Minnesota	$29,980	$64,908	90.4%	28.4%
24	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$30,525	$52,284	75.2%	77.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Minnesota-Morris so affordable for philosophy students?

Morris charges a net cost of just $9,110, significantly lower than other public universities in the state. The school maintains an in-state tuition of $14,288 but provides substantial financial aid to bring the actual cost down. With a 77.66% acceptance rate and 61.90% graduation rate, Morris offers both accessibility and reasonable completion outcomes for philosophy students.

How do graduation rates vary among the cheapest philosophy programs?

Graduation rates show significant variation among affordable options, ranging from 38.40% at Metropolitan State University to 84.80% at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Morris leads the sub-$15,000 programs with 61.90%, while Saint Cloud State manages only 46.90% despite its $14,485 net cost. Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall has the lowest completion rate at 44.10% among the most affordable tier.

Is the earnings difference significant between cheaper and more expensive programs?

Philosophy graduates show earnings ranging from $22,192 to $37,568, with notable differences based on program choice. Hamline University graduates earn $22,192 despite the school's $21,385 net cost, while St Olaf College graduates command $35,416 with a higher net cost of $22,752. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates earn $25,194, providing solid returns given the program's $17,139 net cost.

Does student debt burden vary significantly among these programs?

Available debt data shows substantial differences, with University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates carrying $20,500 in debt compared to St Olaf graduates with $23,000. These figures represent reasonable debt loads considering the earning potential, particularly for Twin Cities graduates who face lower net costs. The debt-to-earnings ratio appears manageable across both public and private options with available data.

Where can philosophy graduates find employment in Minnesota's job market?

Minnesota's economy offers philosophy graduates opportunities in healthcare administration with major employers like Mayo Clinic and UnitedHealth Group, where ethical reasoning skills are valued. The state's retail sector, anchored by Target's corporate headquarters, also provides management and policy roles. Early career earnings ranging from $22,000 to $37,000 reflect entry-level positions in these growing sectors, with advancement potential in corporate ethics and healthcare policy roles.

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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.