by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in Minnesota, it can be hard to know where to start. This list ranks **20** graduate schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated 20 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.
This is how starting salaries are distributed among the top-ranked graduate schools:
Here are the top-ranked graduate schools:
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities tops our 2027 ranking of the best graduate schools in Minnesota. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school based in Minneapolis, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $56,395. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete a degree here.
Out of the 20 graduate schools in Minnesota in this year's ranking, Mayo Medical School landed the #2 spot. Mayo Medical School is a private not-for-profit school based in Rochester, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $9,040. Early-career graduates earn a median of $90,374. Typical student debt is $27,164.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #3 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Minnesota. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $65,183. The median student debt is $23,923.
A rank of #4 makes The College Of Saint Scholastica one of the top graduate schools in Minnesota. Set in Duluth, MN, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $41,778. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,431 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $26,755 in student loans.
Out of the 20 graduate schools in Minnesota in this year's ranking, Winona State University landed the #5 spot. Winona State University is a public school based in Winona, MN. Winona State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,109 early in their careers. Winona State University students take on a median of $24,551 in debt.
Bethel University Minnesota placed #6 among the best graduate schools in Minnesota. Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. About 71% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,226. Median early-career earnings reach $61,465. The median student debt is $25,639.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota did well this year, earning the #7 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winona, MN. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,080. Early-career graduates earn a median of $69,785. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota students take on a median of $27,081 in debt.
Hamline University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Saint Paul, MN, Hamline University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,679. Hamline University students take on a median of $25,530 in debt.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. 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 run about $25,600. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,835 early in their careers. The median student debt is $29,026.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #10 spot in Minnesota this year. This public school is set in Saint Cloud, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Saint Cloud State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,625. Graduates carry a median of $25,076 in student loans.
St Catherine University landed the #11 spot in Minnesota this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. About 61% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $38,428 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $60,427. Graduates carry a median of $29,883 in student loans.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #12 among the best graduate schools in Minnesota. 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, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $53,088. Typical student debt is $25,260.
College Of Saint Benedict came in at #13 in this year's ranking. College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Joseph, MN. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,756. Median early-career earnings reach $47,105. Graduates carry a median of $26,619 in student loans.
Northwestern Health Sciences University landed the #14 spot in Minnesota this year. Northwestern Health Sciences University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bloomington, MN. Students from in state pay about $12,015 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $32,391. The median student debt is $19,500.
Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public school based in Moorhead, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,892. The median student debt is $24,447.
Augsburg College landed the #16 spot in Minnesota this year. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Augsburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $45,452 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,409 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $26,319 in student loans.
Capella University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Capella University is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Capella University graduates report median early-career earnings of $72,053. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete a degree here.
Metropolitan State University landed the #18 spot in Minnesota this year. Metropolitan State University is a public school based in Saint Paul, MN. Metropolitan State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,195 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $30,822.
Walden University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. This private for-profit school is set in Minneapolis, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,067. Early-career graduates earn a median of $65,192. Walden University students take on a median of $49,361 in debt.
William Mitchell College Of Law placed #20 among the best graduate schools in Minnesota. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. William Mitchell College Of Law graduates report median early-career earnings of $67,268.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.