With all of the graduate school options in Minnesota, narrowing things down is no easy task. Our ranking highlights **12** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 12 graduate schools across over 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Starting Salaries
The top-ranked graduate schools span the following early-career salary range:
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Minnesota. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates report median early-career earnings of $56,395. Typical student debt is $21,577.
Out of the 12 graduate schools in Minnesota in this year's ranking, Mayo Medical School landed the #2 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rochester, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $9,040. Graduates go on to earn a median of $90,374 early in their careers. Mayo Medical School students take on a median of $27,164 in debt.
You'll be in good company at University Of St Thomas Minnesota, which ranked #3 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. About 77% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Graduates go on to earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $23,923.
Out of the 12 graduate schools in Minnesota in this year's ranking, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #4 spot. Set in Winona, MN, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,080. Median early-career earnings reach $69,785. The median student debt is $27,081.
Out of the 12 graduate schools in Minnesota in this year's ranking, Hamline University landed the #5 spot. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Hamline University is a private not-for-profit institution. Hamline University graduates 60% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $50,004 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $48,679. Hamline University students take on a median of $25,530 in debt.
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $61,465. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete a degree here.
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. Concordia University Saint Paul posts a six-year graduation rate of 45%. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Median early-career earnings reach $54,835. Typical student debt is $29,026.
Minnesota State University Mankato did well this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Early-career graduates earn a median of $53,088. Typical student debt is $25,260.
Minnesota State University Moorhead did well this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set in Moorhead, MN. Minnesota State University Moorhead posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,892. Typical student debt is $24,447.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #10 spot in Minnesota this year. Saint Cloud State University is a public school based in Saint Cloud, MN. Saint Cloud State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 39%. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $51,625. Typical student debt is $25,076.
Capella University landed the #11 spot in Minnesota this year. Set in Minneapolis, MN, Capella University is a private for-profit institution. Capella University posts a six-year graduation rate of 20%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,400. Median early-career earnings reach $72,053. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete a degree here.
Walden University landed the #12 spot in Minnesota this year. Walden University is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. Students from in state pay about $11,067 in tuition and fees. Walden University graduates report median early-career earnings of $65,192. The median student debt is $49,361.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
With all of the graduate school options in Minnesota, narrowing things down is no easy task. Our ranking highlights **12** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
