by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Minnesota? We have ranked 52 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. You are viewing our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — scroll to Customize Your Rankings to switch views.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 52 schools to build this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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We analyzed 52 schools in Minnesota to find which ones offer the best value. Our ranking is based on objective factors.
The first step is the school’s combined average tuition, fees, and room and board — the published sticker price before any financial aid (the No Aid view). Value also depends on the quality of the education, not just the price. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. View our full ranking methodology.
Your ideal school depends on your goals and budget. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Morris, our #1 best value in Minnesota. This public school is set in Morris, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,710. The median program debt is $21,080. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,919 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,080 median debt. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Riverland Community College one of the best values in Minnesota. Set in Austin, MN, Riverland Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $45,247 ten years out. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Century College one of the best values in Minnesota. Century College is a public school based in White Bear Lake, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,424. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Hennepin Community College earned it the #4 place in Minnesota. North Hennepin Community College is a public school based in Brooklyn Park, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
You'll get strong value at South Central College, which ranked #5 this year. Set in North Mankato, MN, South Central College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Typical student debt is $13,139. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,068 ten years after entry. Set against $13,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Crookston ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. University Of Minnesota Crookston is a public school based in Crookston, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,288. Students borrow a median of $26,661 to complete their program here. University Of Minnesota Crookston alumni report median earnings of $58,056 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,661 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Hibbing, MN, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. The median program debt is $17,029. Median earnings reach $45,570 ten years out. Set against $17,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hennepin Technical College placed #8 among the best values in Minnesota. Hennepin Technical College is a public school based in Brooklyn Park, MN. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $49,460 ten years out. Set against $17,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inver Hills Community College landed the #9 spot for value in Minnesota this year. This public school is set in Inver Grove Heights, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,146. The median program debt is $20,160. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dakota County Technical College landed the #10 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Set in Rosemount, MN, Dakota County Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,679. Dakota County Technical College students take on a median of $13,474 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,938 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ridgewater College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Willmar, MN, Ridgewater College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Ridgewater College students take on a median of $15,556 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,827. That is a strong return on a $15,556 median debt.
Pine Technical College landed the #12 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Set in Pine City, MN, Pine Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738. Typical student debt is $22,454. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,232 ten years after entry. Set against $22,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, MN, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124. The median program debt is $16,734. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,874. Set against $16,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Rochester placed #14 among the best values in Minnesota. Located in Rochester, MN, University Of Minnesota Rochester is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,016. Graduates carry a median of $22,115 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,020. Set against $22,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Fergus Falls, MN, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Students borrow a median of $18,197 to complete their program here. Minnesota State Community And Technical College alumni report median earnings of $45,591 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College landed the #16 spot for value in Minnesota this year. This public school is set in Cloquet, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006. Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College students take on a median of $21,773 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,665. Set against $21,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Granite Falls, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. Minnesota West Community And Technical College students take on a median of $13,946 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Anoka Ramsey Community College landed the #18 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Based in Coon Rapids, MN, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,682. Students borrow a median of $22,593 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,342. Set against $22,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anoka Technical College came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Anoka Technical College is a public school based in Anoka, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $6,267. Anoka Technical College students take on a median of $18,408 in debt. Median earnings reach $47,746 ten years out. Set against $18,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Red Lake Nation College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Based in Red Lake, MN, Red Lake Nation College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,640.
Normandale Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Bloomington, MN, Normandale Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,329. Typical student debt is $20,162. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,207. That is a strong return on a $20,162 median debt.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #22 among the best values in Minnesota. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Typical student debt is $17,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,399. Set against $17,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Lakes College Brainerd ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Brainerd, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,249. Students borrow a median of $14,479 to complete their program here. Central Lakes College Brainerd alumni report median earnings of $42,162 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,479 median debt.
White Earth Tribal And Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Mahnomen, MN, White Earth Tribal And Community College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,490. Median earnings reach $18,044 ten years out.
Rochester Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Rochester, MN, Rochester Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt is $20,291. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,287. That is a strong return on a $20,291 median debt.
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 52 schools evaluated. References
More about our data sources and methodologies.