2027 Best Value Value Schools in Minnesota

[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value value schools.
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2027 Best Value Value Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Saint Cloud State University tops our 2027 list of the best value value schools in Minnesota. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $51,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned it the #2 place for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $92,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Metropolitan State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Typical student debt for value graduates is $30,822. Early-career value graduates make about $54,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Capella University earned it the #4 place for value. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $91,474. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Hamline University one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,530. Value graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $76,773 early in their careers. Set against $25,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Walden University placed #6 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,067 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $49,361. Early-career value graduates make about $67,390. Set against $49,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.