At $18,609/yr net price, Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates earn $56,922/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $22,922/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,609 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $74,436 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,922/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$22,922/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 54.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,106 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,920/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,568/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,200/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,870/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,860/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $104,749 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $78,719 | $32,314 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $76,460 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $68,047 | $20,290 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $67,079 | $13,225 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $64,493 | $23,562 |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor | $63,302 | $13,936 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $61,303 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $61,064 | |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $60,771 |
The Risk Factor
54.1% of students at Minnesota State University-Mankato 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
Minnesota State University-Mankato gives you a solid financial return with manageable debt. You borrow a median of about $21,000 and earn roughly $57,000 ten years out, so your typical debt load stays below one year of post-graduation pay. For a public school, that ratio works in your favor.
Your major decides how strong the payoff is. Computer and Information Sciences and Registered Nursing both clear $67,000, and nursing does it while leaving you with about $13,000 in debt, one of the best cost-to-earnings trades here. The engineering programs pay well too, though Mechanical Engineering carries the heaviest debt on this list at around $23,500. Nursing and computing feed directly into Minnesota's healthcare systems and the Twin Cities tech economy an hour north, which supports these earnings. No liberal arts or education salary data is listed, so treat those fields as unknowns before you enroll.
The main risk is finishing. Only 54% of students graduate, and 20% don't return after the first year. If you borrow and leave without a degree, you carry the debt without the earnings that justify it. The strong-paying programs are also the demanding ones, so the majors that pay off are the ones where dropping out costs you most.
Net price scales sharply with income. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $12,000 to $12,500 a year. Above $110,000, you pay closer to $21,900, nearly double. Lower-income families get real discounting here.
This school fits you if you want nursing, computing, or engineering and can commit to finishing. If you're undecided or drawn to a field with no earnings data listed, weigh the graduation odds carefully before you take on loans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Minnesota State University-Mankato worth the cost?
With a net price of $18,609 and 10-year earnings of $56,922, MSU Mankato offers reasonable value for a public university. However, the 54% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish, which significantly hurts ROI for those who leave with debt but no degree.
What are the best paying programs at Minnesota State University-Mankato?
Nursing programs lead with graduates earning over $100,000, followed by educational administration at $78,719 and business management at $76,460. Computer science graduates earn $68,047, making these four programs the clear winners for return on investment.
How much debt do Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates typically have?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $21,106, which is manageable compared to the national average. This debt level is reasonable given the school's net price and typical starting salaries for graduates.
Does Minnesota State University-Mankato have good financial aid?
The net price of $18,609 suggests decent financial aid for a public university, though this varies significantly by family income. Students should verify their specific aid package before enrolling, as the 70% acceptance rate means admission is likely but aid isn't guaranteed.