Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Minnesota

The University of Minnesota-Morris delivers Minnesota's most affordable teacher education program at just $9,110 net cost, beating even in-state flagship tuition by thousands. This $14,000 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options reflects how public universities dominate the field, with 12 of the 15 programs charging under $20,000 annually. Teacher education graduates across Minnesota earn between $34,348 and $41,342, positioning them well for the state's growing education sector where districts like Minneapolis Public Schools and suburban Twin Cities systems actively recruit new educators. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities stands out with the highest graduate earnings at $41,342 despite its $17,139 cost, while Morris combines affordability with solid outcomes at $39,729 in graduate earnings. Minnesota's teacher shortage, particularly in rural areas served by schools like Bemidji State and Southwest Minnesota State, creates steady demand for program graduates.

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	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, Minnesota	$9,110	$14,288	61.9%	77.7%
2	University of Minnesota-Crookston Crookston, Minnesota	$10,874	$13,120	49.7%	57.2%
3	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, Minnesota	$14,485	$10,117	46.9%	95.3%
4	Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, Minnesota	$14,760	$10,304	44.1%	91.6%
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	Bethany Lutheran College Mankato, Minnesota	$17,680	$30,010	59.6%	58.5%
9	Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$17,816	$10,336	54.6%	56.6%
10	Winona State University Winona, Minnesota	$18,148	$10,498	60.9%	73.8%
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	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181	$9,780	38.4%	81.7%
14	Martin Luther College New Ulm, Minnesota	$20,483	$17,770	71.4%	83.7%
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	University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$25,140	$36,830	68.4%	92.5%
22	Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$25,651	$30,020	71.8%	65.5%
23	Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, Minnesota	$26,895	$54,310	75.9%	73.9%
24	Saint Johns University Collegeville, Minnesota	$27,018	$53,942	75.7%	86.2%
25	Crown College Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota	$27,324	$30,200	64.3%	66.6%
26	College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, Minnesota	$28,065	$53,884	83.0%	87.8%
27	Bethel University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$28,439	$42,930	75.2%	72.5%
28	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 teacher education programs?

Morris charges just $9,110 net cost compared to the state average of $17,500, largely due to generous need-based aid reducing actual student costs. The campus serves as a public liberal arts college within the University of Minnesota system, allowing it to offer lower tuition while maintaining quality. Its 61.90% graduation rate matches many more expensive programs. The school specifically targets students from rural Minnesota communities, many of whom become teachers in underserved districts.

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

Public university graduates earn between $35,157 and $41,342, while private school graduates typically earn $35,772 to $37,856. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities leads all programs with $41,342 in graduate earnings. Martin Luther College, a private Lutheran institution, produces graduates earning $37,856 with relatively low debt at $20,695. The earnings gap reflects different career paths, with public university graduates more likely to enter traditional K-12 teaching roles.

Is teacher education more affordable at Minnesota State universities than University of Minnesota campuses?

Minnesota State universities typically charge lower in-state tuition, with most programs costing $9,490 to $10,498 annually compared to University of Minnesota campuses at $13,120 to $16,488. However, net costs vary significantly based on financial aid, with some University of Minnesota campuses like Morris offering lower net prices. Saint Cloud State provides the best value among state universities at $14,485 net cost with $37,352 in graduate earnings. Graduation rates tend to be higher at University of Minnesota campuses, with Twin Cities reaching 84.80%.

What debt levels should students expect from Minnesota teacher education programs?

Graduate debt ranges from $19,497 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to $27,778 at Metropolitan State University. Most programs keep debt below $25,000, which aligns well with starting teacher salaries in Minnesota. Bemidji State offers particularly good value with $21,132 average debt and reasonable earnings potential at $35,157. Private colleges like Concordia University-Saint Paul maintain debt at $20,000 despite higher sticker prices through institutional aid.

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

Twin Cities metropolitan districts offer the highest salaries, explaining why University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates earn $41,342 annually. Rural districts in northern and southern Minnesota actively recruit from regional universities like Bemidji State and Southwest Minnesota State. The state faces teacher shortages in mathematics, science, and special education, creating strong demand for qualified graduates. Charter schools and private institutions also hire significant numbers of Minnesota-trained teachers, particularly in urban areas.

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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.