Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Minnesota State University-Mankato #451 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $64,235, placing Minnesota State University-Mankato in the 64.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Minnesota State University-Mankato sits in the 69.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting graduate outcomes that outpace what similar students earn at comparable institutions. --- Minnesota State University-Mankato delivers graduate earnings that hold up well against peer institutions, with median 4-year earnings and earnings beyond expectations both placing the university in competitive standing among nonprofit four-year institutions nationwide. Its composite ranking reflects a balanced profile across return, access, and affordability — making it a consistent performer for students seeking a public university education in Minnesota at a manageable cost.
Azimuth ranks Minnesota State University-Mankato #451 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University-Mankato enrolls roughly 11,703 undergraduates. Retention stands at 80.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 53.9%, reflecting a student body that largely completes what it starts. The composite is anchored by return on investment and mobility. Azimuth ranks Minnesota State University-Mankato #551 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median four-year earnings of $64,235, and earn about $2,970 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Minnesota State University-Mankato in the 69.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The dominant program concentration in Business contributes meaningfully to these outcomes, channeling a large share of graduates into fields with consistent regional and national hiring demand. Access and affordability provide additional context for the composite position. Minnesota State University-Mankato admits about 88.4% of applicants, reflecting a broad-access admissions posture that keeps enrollment open to a wide range of students. 21.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 24.2% are first-generation college students, underscoring the university's role serving students who are the first in their families to pursue a degree. Affordability sits in the 65.9 percentile and access in the 55.4 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, with mobility in the 72.8 percentile — together shaping a profile that balances broad enrollment with solid long-run financial outcomes for graduates.
Minnesota State University-Mankato's published cost of attendance is $23,995. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $12,339, middle-income families pay around $15,137, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,798. Azimuth ranks Minnesota State University-Mankato #487 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. Minnesota State University-Mankato's affordability profile reflects its public tuition structure and need-based aid reach. The gap between sticker price and net price demonstrates how financial aid reshapes the headline cost for many families. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,106, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,695; 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 $64,235, median federal debt of $21,106 projects to a monthly payment of about $238 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Minnesota State University-Mankato is a strong fit for students in MN and the broader Midwest who want a career-oriented public university with a clear path to solid post-graduation earnings — particularly those drawn to Business and applied professional fields where the institution concentrates its degree output. The earnings case is grounded in outcomes. Graduates earn median $64,235 four years after enrollment, placing Minnesota State University-Mankato in the 64.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Minnesota State University-Mankato also sits in the 69.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions — graduates earn about $2,970 more than similar students at comparable institutions, a signal that the institution delivers real value relative to what students' backgrounds would predict. The access picture reinforces the fit for cost-sensitive and first-generation students. 21.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 24.2% are first-generation, and the institution's low-income graduates sit in the 51.8 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions on a historical ten-year Scorecard measure. Median student debt at graduation is $21,106, which keeps the borrowing picture manageable for most students relative to expected earnings. Fit depends on two realistic filters: Minnesota State University-Mankato is broadly accessible — admitting 88.4% of applicants — and its program portfolio tilts toward applied and professional fields rather than research-intensive or liberal-arts tracks. Students whose interests align with Business, education, health, or similar applied disciplines will find the strongest alignment between program depth and post-graduation outcomes.
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 Minnesota State University-Mankato hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Minnesota State University-Mankato's published cost of attendance is $23,995. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $12,339, middle-income families pay around $15,137, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,798.
Azimuth ranks Minnesota State University-Mankato #487 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.
Minnesota State University-Mankato's affordability profile reflects its public tuition structure and need-based aid reach. The gap between sticker price and net price demonstrates how [financial aid reshapes the headline cost](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) for many families.
Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,106, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,695; 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 $64,235, median federal debt of $21,106 projects to a monthly payment of about $238 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 earn median 4-year earnings of $64,235, placing Minnesota State University-Mankato in the 64.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,970 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Minnesota State University-Mankato in the 69.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Minnesota State University-Mankato #551 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The program lineup at Minnesota State University-Mankato is anchored by Business, which drives a substantial share of graduate outcomes.
Nursing stands out as the program combining the broadest enrollment scale with strong median earnings, making it a key contributor to the institution's overall return profile. Among the highest-earning programs, Nursing program graduates 327 students with median earnings of $82,429 four years after enrollment — Azimuth ranks Nursing #210 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/).
Business Administration and Psychology, General also deliver competitive median earnings of $70,486 and $52,859 respectively, with Azimuth ranking Business Administration #104 and Psychology, General #161 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Broader fields such as Digital Marketing and Finance enroll large cohorts and post median earnings of $68,772 and $74,852 four years after enrollment, reflecting the institution's range of career-ready pathways across MN's regional labor market.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Similar quality tier (#15284 ranked) | PA | 58% | $66,125 | #15284 | Compare |
Ramapo College Of New Jersey Similar quality tier (#15280 ranked) | NJ | 71% | $67,541 | #15280 | Compare |
Louisiana Tech University Similar quality tier (#15275 ranked) | LA | 86% | $52,279 | #15275 | Compare |
Eastern Kentucky University Similar quality tier (#15274 ranked) | KY | 78% | $45,795 | #15274 | Compare |
University Of Northern Iowa Similar quality tier in Midwest (#15300 ranked) | IA | 93% | $55,177 | #15300 | Compare |
Air Transportation
75 graduates
Construction Management
57 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
89 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
30 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
36 graduates
Minnesota State University-Mankato's program mix is anchored in Business, with meaningful enrollment across health, education, and applied technical fields — a portfolio consistent with a regional comprehensive public university serving south-central Minnesota. Business accounts for 22% of graduates, followed by Education at 7% and Engineering at 6%.
Across 59 programs, 39 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, serving roughly 2,605 students annually. The program with the strongest combination of scale and earnings is Nursing, which anchors Minnesota State University-Mankato's economic profile by pairing substantial graduate volume with competitive median earnings four years after enrollment.
Among the most popular programs, Nursing program graduates 327 students with median earnings of $82,429, and Azimuth ranks it #210 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Business Administration and Psychology, General round out the high-enrollment tier, with graduates earning $70,486 and $52,859 respectively four years after enrollment — solid applied-field outcomes for a regional institution.
The highest-earning programs at Minnesota State University-Mankato reflect a mix of direct-to-workforce and applied professional pathways. Nursing leads on median earnings at $82,429 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks it #210 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Finance and Accounting follow, with graduates earning $74,852 and $73,726 respectively — programs oriented toward stable, in-demand occupations where graduates enter the regional and national labor market directly. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with broader labor-market trends.
