Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Minnesota-Twin Cities #105 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median $71,941 four years after enrollment, placing University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in the 73.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Finance #281 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning median $98,279 four years after enrollment — anchoring the institution's broad earnings profile. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities sits in the 80.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting multiple high-return pathways available across the Minneapolis campus.
Azimuth ranks University of Minnesota-Twin Cities #105 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Minneapolis, MN, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities enrolls roughly 31,855 undergraduates. Retention is 91.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 85.3%, figures that place the institution among the stronger performers nationally for converting enrollment into degree completion. Where University of Minnesota-Twin Cities performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Minnesota-Twin Cities #281 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,615 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in the 80.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Business is the dominant program family, and the university's broad academic portfolio — spanning Business at 12% of degrees alongside strengths in engineering, health, and the liberal arts — feeds a diverse set of career pathways that contribute to strong post-graduation earnings. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities admits about 79.8% of applicants, enrolling 17.6% Pell Grant recipients and 18.7% first-generation students — shares that reflect a large flagship's broad but not fully open admissions posture. The institution sits in the 65.9 percentile for access and the 72.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, while mobility outcomes reach the 95.5 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, indicating that students who do enroll tend to see meaningful economic progress after graduation.
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities lists a published cost of attendance of $30,061, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $6,642 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $9,931, and higher-income families pay approximately $27,008. Azimuth ranks University of Minnesota-Twin Cities #399 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. For context on how published costs and actual net prices can diverge, see the net price illusion. As a large public research university, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and Minnesota-specific state grants that can meaningfully reduce costs for qualifying residents. The gap between sticker price and net price is most pronounced for low-income families, where institutional and state grant aid combines to bring annual costs well below the published figure. Middle-income families see moderate aid, while higher-income families generally pay closer to the full cost of attendance. Families should apply using the FAFSA to access the full range of federal and state aid available. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $25,729; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $71,941, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Azimuth ranks University of Minnesota-Twin Cities #105 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $71,941, placing University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in the 73.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Finance #35 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions — a program-level anchor that reflects the institution's dominant strength in business and high-return professional fields. ---
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Students at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities achieve some of the strongest median earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a program mix anchored by high-return professional fields and a broad alumni network with deep employer reach. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities sits in the 80.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Finance program ranks #35 nationally — signals that the institution's financial outcomes run well ahead of what student background and program mix alone would predict.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities lists a published cost of attendance of $30,061, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $6,642 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $9,931, and higher-income families pay approximately $27,008.
Azimuth ranks University of Minnesota-Twin Cities #399 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
For context on how published costs and actual net prices can diverge, see the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/). As a large public research university, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and Minnesota-specific state grants that can meaningfully reduce costs for qualifying residents.
The gap between sticker price and net price is most pronounced for low-income families, where institutional and state grant aid combines to bring annual costs well below the published figure. Middle-income families see moderate aid, while higher-income families generally pay closer to the full cost of attendance.
Families should apply using the FAFSA to access the full range of federal and state aid available. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $25,729; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $71,941, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of Minnesota-Twin Cities earn median earnings of $71,941 four years after enrollment, placing University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in the 73.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band).
Graduates earn about $6,615 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 80.0 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Minnesota-Twin Cities #281 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings pattern reflects a broad, business-anchored program mix. Business is the dominant program family, representing 12% of degree output, followed by Social Sciences at 10% and Engineering at 9%.
Computer Science combines high enrollment with strong pay, making it a key contributor to the university's overall return profile. Azimuth ranks Computer Science #58 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment, with 533 graduates earning median earnings of $111,661 — 1.0x the national benchmark for the field.
The Psychology, General program graduates 523 students annually with median earnings of $58,449, and Azimuth ranks the program #56 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). Interdisciplinary Studies ranks #17 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with 477 graduates earning median earnings of $60,270, while Biology, General ranks #100 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions and Finance ranks #35 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Binghamton University Similar quality tier (#4225 ranked) | NY | 39% | $80,596 | #4225 | Compare |
University Of Connecticut Similar quality tier (#4220 ranked) | CT | 52% | $73,997 | #4220 | Compare |
University At Buffalo Similar quality tier (#4219 ranked) | NY | 74% | $70,814 | #4219 | Compare |
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Similar quality tier (#4229 ranked) | VA | 55% | $81,698 | #4229 | Compare |
University Of Georgia Similar quality tier (#4218 ranked) | GA | 38% | $68,726 | #4218 | Compare |
Computer Engineering
61 graduates
Computer Science
533 graduates
International Business
19 graduates
Computer Systems Analysis
148 graduates
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
32 graduates
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's program mix is anchored in Business, with significant depth across engineering, health, and social science fields. Business accounts for 12% of graduates, Social Sciences for 10%, and Engineering for 9% — a broad portfolio that reflects the university's land-grant research identity and positions graduates across a wide range of labor markets.
Across 98 programs serving roughly 8,497 students annually, 83 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold. Computer Science combines large cohort scale with strong earnings, making it a central driver of the institution's overall financial outcomes.
Among the largest programs, Computer Science program graduates 533 students with median earnings of $111,661 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #58 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The Psychology, General program graduates 523 students earning $58,449, while The Interdisciplinary Studies program graduates 477 students earning $60,270.
On the earnings side, Computer Science leads with median earnings of $111,661 from a cohort of 533 graduates, and Azimuth ranks the program #58 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Finance follows at $98,279 with 328 graduates, and Digital Marketing posts $86,246 from 210 graduates — [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/).
Several of University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's strongest programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the national labor market directly — particularly in engineering, computer science, and applied business fields where four-year earnings reflect real workforce demand. Programs in biology, psychology, and the broader social sciences are more likely grad-school-dependent pathways, where four-year earnings undercount lifetime trajectory because a meaningful share of graduates continue to graduate or professional school.
The [supply-demand map](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with national wage trends.
