Minnesota State University-Mankato
Minnesota State University-Mankato — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Minnesota State University-Mankato at a Glance
Minnesota State University, Mankato is a public university in Mankato, Minnesota, United States. It is Minnesota's second-largest university, and has over 145,000 living alumni worldwide. Founded in 1868, it is the second-oldest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and is commonly referred to as the flagship institution. It was established as the "Second State Normal School" in 1858 and officially opened as "Mankato Normal School" a decade later.
1868
158 years old
$119M
$119 million (2025)
15,721
700
303 acres
Identity
Is Minnesota State University-Mankato Worth It?
Minnesota State University-Mankato offers moderate value at $19,139/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $56,922, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 54% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Minnesota State University-Mankato compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #86 of 122 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #5 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #6 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #86 | Minnesota State University-Mankato | 40 | $19,139 | $56,922 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Minnesota State University-Mankato's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MN.
Best Programs at Minnesota State University-Mankato
The highest-earning program at Minnesota State University-Mankato is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $66,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $19,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Minnesota State University-Mankato earns $66,000, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $19,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $17,489 in median debt vs. $23,810 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,139/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,000 | $66,000 | $17,489 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $64,400 | $64,400 | $19,812 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $61,300 | $61,300 | $19,256 |
| Engineering, General | $61,000 | $61,000 | $14,367 |
| Construction Management | $57,500 | $57,500 | $25,987 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $56,900 | $56,900 | $19,394 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $56,200 | $56,200 | $30,548 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $54,500 | $54,500 | $26,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $49,400 | $49,400 | $24,375 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $44,300 | $44,300 | $23,250 |
| Economics | $43,400 | $43,400 | $23,999 |
| Air Transportation | $42,600 | $42,600 | $22,500 |
| Marketing | $41,800 | $41,800 | $21,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,600 | $41,600 | $21,500 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $41,200 | $41,200 | $25,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $39,200 | $39,200 | $22,384 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $38,400 | $38,400 | $23,488 |
| Social Work | $38,000 | $38,000 | $23,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,800 | $37,800 | $25,103 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $37,600 | $37,600 | $26,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,300 | $37,300 | $23,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $36,200 | $36,200 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $36,100 | $36,100 | $22,248 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $35,800 | $35,800 | $21,437 |
| Psychology, General | $33,200 | $33,200 | $23,136 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $32,700 | $32,700 | $23,600 |
| Biology, General | $32,600 | $32,600 | $26,317 |
| Geography and Cartography | $31,900 | $31,900 | $19,500 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $31,200 | $31,200 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $31,100 | $31,100 | $24,249 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $29,800 | $29,800 | $28,687 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $29,400 | $29,400 | $17,625 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,400 | $27,400 | $23,761 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $19,700 | $19,700 | $23,810 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Mankato, MN
- Student Body
- 11,703 students
- Admission Rate
- 88%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,139
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,922
- Median Student Debt
- $21,106