SmartAsset recently released its eighth annual Best Value Colleges study. SmartAsset’s new analysis compared institutions across five metrics, including scholarships, starting salary, tuition, living costs, and retention rate to determine the ‘Best Value Colleges’ in Minnesota.
Check out the top performing schools in Minnesota below:
| Rank | School | City, State | Avg. Scholarships and Grants | Avg. Starting Salary | College Tuition | Student Living Costs | Student Retention Rate | College Education Value – Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | $9,528 | $62,400 | $14,760 | $13,138 | 93% | 63.94 |
| 2 | University of Minnesota-Duluth | Duluth, MN | $7,319 | $57,500 | $13,366 | $11,248 | 79% | 55.39 |
| 3 | Saint Johns University | Collegeville, MN | $30,428 | $61,900 | $44,990 | $12,819 | 82% | 52.60 |
| 4 | St Olaf College | Northfield, MN | $34,342 | $58,300 | $47,840 | $12,750 | 91% | 52.34 |
| 5 | Minnesota State University-Mankato | Mankato, MN | $4,062 | $55,900 | $8,184 | $12,298 | 79% | 51.51 |
| 6 | University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | $24,935 | $62,300 | $42,736 | $13,928 | 87% | 49.88 |
| 7 | Carleton College | Northfield, MN | $40,678 | $62,100 | $54,759 | $16,566 | 94% | 48.06 |
| 8 | Gustavus Adolphus College | Saint Peter, MN | $30,529 | $54,700 | $45,400 | $11,970 | 88% | 46.98 |
| 9 | Saint Cloud State University | Saint Cloud, MN | $5,019 | $56,300 | $8,265 | $12,726 | 67% | 46.26 |
| 10 | Winona State University | Winona, MN | $3,891 | $54,600 | $9,425 | $12,550 | 75% | 46.14 |
