At $17,050/yr net price, Bemidji State University graduates earn $53,755/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,755/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,050 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $68,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,755/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,755/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 53.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,918/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,000/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,262/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,000/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,518/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technology, General. | Bachelor | $63,005 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $62,654 | $15,254 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $62,069 | |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $55,512 | |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $47,260 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $46,193 | $16,000 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $41,937 | $23,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $41,789 | $16,375 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,855 | $19,125 |
| Geography and Cartography. | Bachelor | $36,941 |
The Risk Factor
53.4% of students at Bemidji State University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Bemidji State gives you a solid financial return for a public university in northern Minnesota. You borrow a median of $19,750 and reach median earnings around $53,755 ten years out, so your debt stays below one year of typical pay. That ratio works in your favor and keeps monthly payments manageable.
Your major decides most of the outcome here. Engineering Technology, nursing, and computer science all clear $62,000, and nursing does it while graduates carry only about $15,000 in debt, the best cost-to-pay balance on this list. Industrial production technicians land in the mid-$50,000s. Mathematics is the weak spot at $47,260, below the school-wide median, so a math degree here pays less than the campus average even though it costs the same to earn.
The main risk is finishing. Only 53% of you graduate, and 22% do not return after the first year. Debt without a degree is the worst financial position at any school, and that gap is real at Bemidji State. The high-paying programs are technical and career-specific, so if you enroll undecided or drift toward lower-earning fields, the return shrinks fast.
Net price tracks your family income closely. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $11,000 a year. above $110,000, you pay closer to $21,500. That lower-income price makes Bemidji State a strong value if you qualify for aid and pick a technical or health major.
This school fits you if you want engineering technology, nursing, computer science, or industrial production and plan to finish. If you are drawn to lower-earning fields or are unsure you will complete a degree, weigh the graduation odds carefully before you borrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bemidji State University worth the cost compared to other Minnesota schools?
Bemidji State's net price of $17,050 is relatively affordable, but graduates earn $53,755 after 10 years, which is below average for college graduates. The 53% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish their degree.
What are the best paying majors at Bemidji State University?
Engineering Technology ($63,005), Nursing ($62,654), and Computer Science ($62,069) offer the strongest earning potential at Bemidji State. These programs can justify the investment, while other majors like Mathematics ($47,260) may not provide strong returns.
How much debt do Bemidji State University graduates typically have?
The median debt load is $19,750, which is manageable compared to many colleges. However, this assumes you graduate - with only a 53% completion rate, many students leave with debt but no degree.
Does Bemidji State University have good job placement after graduation?
The school's 10-year earnings data shows graduates averaging $53,755, which is modest for a college degree. Success depends heavily on your major, with technical fields like engineering and nursing providing much better outcomes than liberal arts programs.