2027 Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
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2027 Best Value Education Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College the best value for a degree in education in Minnesota. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,029. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $44,387. Set against $17,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Marys University Of Minnesota one of the best values for education. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Students from in state pay about $45,080 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Education graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $79,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,734. Early-career education graduates make about $48,652. Set against $16,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,556. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $42,178. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Normandale Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,842. Early-career education graduates make about $48,312. That is a strong return on a $29,842 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Alexandria Technical And Community College placed #7 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. Education graduates carry a median of $14,054 in student loans. Education graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $26,671 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,054 median debt.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College earned the #8 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,161. Students borrow a median of $24,036 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $43,164. Set against $24,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #9 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,378 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $44,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Bemidji State University landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Students borrow a median of $23,911 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $47,137. That is a strong return on a $23,911 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #11 for value in education this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public school located in the town of Marshall. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Education graduates carry a median of $29,055 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $46,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical placed #12 among the best values for education. Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Students from in state pay about $6,432 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $22,522. Education graduates of Minnesota State College Southeast Technical earn a median of $50,290 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,522 median debt.
Winona State University placed #13 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,772. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $43,980. Set against $26,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Metropolitan State University came in at #14 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Typical student debt for education graduates is $28,019. Early-career education graduates make about $45,507. That is a strong return on a $28,019 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Rasmussen College Minnesota came in at #15 for value in education this year. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,199. Education graduates carry a median of $26,710 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $28,885. That is a strong return on a $26,710 median debt.
Capella University came in at #16 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Capella University earn a median of $78,008 early in their careers. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #17 for value in education this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Students borrow a median of $29,421 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $51,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #18 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,500. Education graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $48,089 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Martin Luther College landed the #19 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,120. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $46,706. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #20 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Education graduates carry a median of $27,043 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $41,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,043 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #21 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Education graduates carry a median of $26,285 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $53,991. That is a strong return on a $26,285 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Hamline University came in at #22 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $50,004 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $65,969 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Bethany Lutheran College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Bethany Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $31,360. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,000. Education graduates of Bethany Lutheran College earn a median of $44,462 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
St Catherine University came in at #24 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,428 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $48,239 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,076. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $47,250 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
