Minot State University
Minot State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Minot State University at a Glance
Minot State University is a public university in Minot, North Dakota, United States. Founded in 1913 as a normal school, MSU evolved into a university in 1987 and is currently the state's third-largest, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
1913
113 years old
2,656
146
Identity
Is Minot State University Worth It?
Minot State University offers moderate value at $12,703/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $51,759, which is 4% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 46% 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 Minot State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #26 of 84 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 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #4 | Northwest Florida State College | 88 | $4,571 | $39,664 |
| #5 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #6 | Indiana University-Northwest | 78 | $5,130 | $43,361 |
| #26 | Minot State University | 47 | $12,703 | $51,759 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Minot State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in ND.
Best Programs at Minot State University
The highest-earning program at Minot State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $62,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Criminal Justice and Corrections at $36,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Minot State University earns $62,600, while a Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate earns $36,400. 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 $15,782 in median debt vs. $16,361 for Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,703/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 | $62,600 | $62,600 | $15,782 |
| Social Work | $41,200 | $41,200 | $15,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $40,700 | $40,700 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $39,600 | $39,600 | $21,588 |
| Marketing | $37,900 | $37,900 | $18,375 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,600 | $37,600 | $18,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,000 | $37,000 | $18,986 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,400 | $36,400 | $16,361 |
Similar Colleges in ND
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Minot, ND
- Student Body
- 2,062 students
- Admission Rate
- 65%
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,703
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,759
- Median Student Debt
- $19,609