Compare 14 Public Finance. programs in Minnesota. Average earnings: $62,123.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Public Finance tells a different story. Across 14 programs, earnings range from $44,942 to $87,799—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Public Finance program leads with graduates earning $87,799, well above the $62,123 average. University Of St Thomas follows at $81,390, while University Of Minnesota-Duluth reaches $71,475—demonstrating that program-level factors drive these $43K earning differences.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 4.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
Highest program earnings: $87,799
Strong outcomes with 77% acceptance
4.1% payment burden | Excellent - payment under 8% of discretionary
10.3% family burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $87,799 | 293 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Good | |
| #2 | University Of St ThomasPrivate | $81,390 | 119 | $23,250 | Excellent | $24,467 | Good |
| #3 | $71,475 | 121 | $22,024 | Excellent | $22,127 | Manageable | |
| #4 | Winona State UniversityPublic | $70,992 | 34 | $21,500 | Excellent | $19,316 | Manageable |
| #5 | $68,997 | 93 | $21,106 | Excellent | $13,695 | Good | |
| #6 | Augsburg UniversityPrivate | $64,401 | 28 | $25,347 | Good | $17,901 | Manageable |
| #7 | $62,236 | 116 | $21,058 | Excellent | $11,598 | Good | |
| #8 | $59,104 | 15 | $26,847 | Good | $29,471 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $58,124 | 20 | $20,500 | Excellent | $11,750 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $50,856 | 13 | $20,000 | Good | $16,000 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $50,856 | 11 | $21,500 | Good | $14,676 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $49,696 | 34 | $20,000 | Good | $10,000 | Manageable | |
| #13 | $48,849 | 27 | $20,500 | Good | $11,092 | Manageable | |
| #14 | Hamline UniversityPrivate | $44,942 | 15 | $23,770 | Manageable | $22,739 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
