2023 Best Value Teaching Schools in Minnesota
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
Today's teaching students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Teaching Degree Search has created the Best Value Teaching Schools in Minnesota to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 26 schools in Minnesota to see which ones offered the best value programs for teaching students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Teaching Schools in Minnesota
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Winona State University to be the best value school for teaching students in Minnesota. Winona State is located in Winona, Minnesota and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 302 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Winona State are $16,684 a year. On average, students take out $26,110 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $176 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Winona State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,424 during the early year of their career.
Winona State also took the #3 spot in our Best Teaching Schools in Minnesota rankings.
Out of the 26 schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, the fairly large public school awarded 635 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato undergraduate students pay an average of $18,200 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,437 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $133. During the early years of their career, Minnesota State Mankato graduates make an average of $46,060 annually.
Minnesota State Mankato excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Teaching Schools in Minnesota list.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Saint Cloud State University is a great place for teaching students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 393 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at St. Cloud State University are $18,010 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $25,873 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, St. Cloud State University graduates make an average of $45,870 annually.
Out of the 26 schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwest Minnesota State University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Southwest Minnesota State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Marshall, Minnesota. It awarded 255 degrees in 2020-2021.
Southwest Minnesota State University undergraduate students pay an average of $9,482 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $25,598 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,918 during the early year of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bemidji State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Teaching Schools in Minnesota list. Bemidji State University is a small public school located in Bemidji, Minnesota that handed out 167 degrees in 2020-2021.
Bemidji State University undergraduate students pay an average of $9,806 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $25,667 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Bemidji State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,896 during the early year of their career.
St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #6 on the list. St Cloud Technical and Community College is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at St Cloud Technical and Community College are $5,874 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,381 in student loans.After graduating from St Cloud Technical and Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,365 during the early years of their career.
Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #7 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Moorhead, Minnesota, and it awarded 416 degrees in 2020-2021.
MSU Moorhead undergraduate students pay an average of $17,564 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $25,798 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from MSU Moorhead, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,896 during the early years of their career.
Metropolitan State University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 74 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Metro State are $9,394 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $31,302 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Metro State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,827 during the early years of their career.
Hamline University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Hamline is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 382 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hamline are $46,221 a year. On average, students take out $25,733 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $288 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Hamline, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,396 during the early years of their career.
Concordia University, Saint Paul ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in Minnesota list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 449 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Concordia University, Saint Paul are $23,900 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $30,777 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Concordia University, Saint Paul graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,318 during the early year of their career.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. SMU MN is located in Winona, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 618 degrees to qualified students.
SMU MN undergraduate students pay an average of $39,410 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $29,703 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SMU MN graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,065 during the early year of their career.
University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in Minnesota ranking. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, the medium-sized public school handed out 170 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UMN Duluth are $19,148 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,164 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $202 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UMN Duluth, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,529 during the early years of their career.
Walden University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the large private for-profit school awarded 1,924 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Walden University are $10,459 per year. On average, students take out $45,244 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Walden University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,437 during the early years of their career.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in Minnesota ranking. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is located in St. Cloud, Minnesota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 111 degrees to qualified students.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota undergraduate students pay an average of $13,558 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $30,701 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $127 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Rasmussen University - Minnesota, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,281 during the early years of their career.
Bethel University Minnesota landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 231 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bethel University Minnesota are $40,080 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $31,006 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $356.After graduating from Bethel University Minnesota, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,291 during the early years of their career.
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 975 students in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities undergraduate students pay an average of $33,818 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $21,399 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $257 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UMN Twin Cities graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,445 during the early year of their career.
Augsburg University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #17 on the list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 130 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Augsburg are $41,007 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,790 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Augsburg graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,712 during the early year of their career.
The College of Saint Scholastica ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in Minnesota list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 229 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at St. Scholastica are $39,410 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,536 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $314. Once they receive their degree, St. Scholastica graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,635 during the early year of their career.
Concordia College at Moorhead ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in Minnesota list. Moorhead, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 63 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Concordia College Moorhead are $28,016 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,901 in student loans.After graduating from Concordia College Moorhead, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,477 during the early years of their career.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Concordia College Moorhead is ranked #2 for overall quality in Minnesota.
Capella University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #20 on the list. This large private for-profit school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 1,463 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Capella University are $14,148 a year. On average, students take out $36,349 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Capella University graduates make an average of $61,758 annually.
St Catherine University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in Minnesota ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 97 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at St. Kate’s are $35,532 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,729 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $266 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, St. Kate’s graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,926 during the early year of their career.
University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #22 on the list. University of St Thomas Minnesota is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 243 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UST MN are $48,329 a year. On average, students take out $21,455 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $307. During the early years of their career, UST MN graduates make an average of $56,351 annually.
UST MN also made our Best Teaching Schools in Minnesota list, coming in at #5.
University of Northwestern - St Paul came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in Minnesota ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 61 degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwestern undergraduate students pay an average of $34,180 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $26,832 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $326, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Northwestern graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,805 during the early year of their career.
North Central University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in Minnesota ranking. North Central University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 30 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Central University are $27,200 a year. On average, students take out $25,615 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, North Central University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,178 during the early year of their career.
Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #25 on the list. Gustavus Adolphus is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Peter, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Gustavus Adolphus are $50,490 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $24,571 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Gustavus Adolphus graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,133 during the early year of their career.
Gustavus Adolphus not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Teaching Schools in Minnesota list.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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