Cheapest Sociology Colleges in Minnesota

The University of Minnesota-Morris delivers sociology education for just $9,110 net annually, making it Minnesota's most affordable option by a significant margin. This small liberal arts campus maintains a 77.66% acceptance rate while producing graduates who enter a state economy where Target's corporate social responsibility initiatives and UnitedHealth's community health programs create opportunities for sociology graduates. The cost difference between public and private options spans dramatically, with Saint Cloud State at $14,485 compared to St Catherine University at $21,563 net cost. Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates earn $45,500 annually, the highest among sociology programs reporting earnings data. The Minnesota State Grant system helps bridge affordability gaps for qualifying students across these programs, supporting access to sociology education in a state where healthcare systems, retail corporations, and nonprofit organizations value social science perspectives for understanding community needs and workplace dynamics.

Programs

$9,110 – $30,525

Net Price Range

$35,961

Avg. Program Earnings

65.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

22 Sociology 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	Concordia University-Saint Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$17,566	$25,000	58.8%	69.1%
7	Bethany Lutheran College Mankato, Minnesota	$17,680	$30,010	59.6%	58.5%
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	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, Minnesota	$18,464	$14,318	64.5%	80.7%
11	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
12	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, Minnesota	$21,034	$43,160	67.7%	96.8%
13	Hamline University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,385	$48,311	57.7%	80.6%
14	St Catherine University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,563	$49,758	65.1%	92.5%
15	Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,875	$43,942	52.4%	76.5%
16	Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$25,651	$30,020	71.8%	65.5%
17	Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, Minnesota	$26,895	$54,310	75.9%	73.9%
18	Saint Johns University Collegeville, Minnesota	$27,018	$53,942	75.7%	86.2%
19	College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, Minnesota	$28,065	$53,884	83.0%	87.8%
20	Bethel University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$28,439	$42,930	75.2%	72.5%
21	Macalester College Saint Paul, Minnesota	$29,980	$64,908	90.4%	28.4%
22	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 much cheaper than other sociology programs?

Morris operates as a public liberal arts college with a $9,110 net cost, nearly $5,000 less than the next cheapest option. The campus receives state funding while maintaining smaller class sizes typical of private colleges. With a 61.90% graduation rate and 77.66% acceptance rate, Morris provides quality education at a fraction of private school costs.

How do earnings compare across Minnesota sociology programs?

Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates earn $45,500 annually, the highest reported among these programs. Southwest Minnesota State graduates start at $32,925, while University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates earn around $35,000-$36,000. The $12,000+ earning difference suggests program focus and regional job markets affect outcomes significantly.

Is the graduation rate gap between public and private schools significant?

Private schools generally show higher completion rates, with Saint Mary's at 67.70% and St Catherine at 65.10%. Public universities range from 44.10% at Southwest Minnesota State to 84.80% at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The flagship campus significantly outperforms other public options, matching private school success rates.

Does attending a more expensive program guarantee better career outcomes?

Not necessarily based on available data. Minnesota State University Moorhead, with an $17,816 net cost, produces the highest-earning graduates at $45,500 annually. Meanwhile, more expensive private options like Hamline and Augsburg show $33,993 graduate earnings despite costing over $20,000 annually. Program quality and career services matter more than price alone.

Where do Minnesota sociology graduates typically find employment?

Minnesota's major employers like UnitedHealth Group, Mayo Clinic, and Target hire sociology graduates for roles in human resources, community outreach, and market research. State and local government positions, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare systems provide additional career paths. The Twin Cities metro area concentrates many opportunities, while greater Minnesota offers positions in social services and education.

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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.