University of Minnesota-Crookston
University of Minnesota-Crookston — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Minnesota-Crookston at a Glance
The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMN–Crookston) is a public college in Crookston, Minnesota, United States. One of five campuses in the University of Minnesota system, UMN Crookston had a fall 2022 enrollment of 1,489 undergraduate students. Students come from 20 countries and 40 states.
1906
120 years old
1,700
108 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Minnesota-Crookston
Official admissions page$30
Fee waiver available
Testing policy
Fee waiver
Is University of Minnesota-Crookston Worth It?
University of Minnesota-Crookston offers moderate value at $12,212/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $58,056, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% 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 University of Minnesota-Crookston compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #12 of 72 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 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #4 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #5 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #6 | Renton Technical College | 76 | $8,296 | $49,782 |
| #12 | University of Minnesota-Crookston | 59 | $12,212 | $58,056 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Minnesota-Crookston's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Minnesota-Crookston
The highest-earning program at University of Minnesota-Crookston is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $55,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Natural Resources Conservation and Research at $30,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from University of Minnesota-Crookston earns $55,800, while a Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduate earns $30,800. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $20,488 in median debt vs. $18,116 for Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,212/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,800 | $55,800 | $20,488 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $45,600 | $45,600 | $23,161 |
| Plant Sciences | $44,300 | $44,300 | $18,625 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,200 | $43,200 | $25,331 |
| Animal Sciences | $30,900 | $30,900 | $20,449 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $30,800 | $30,800 | $18,116 |
Similar Colleges in MN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Crookston, MN
- Student Body
- 1,729 students
- Admission Rate
- 88%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,212
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,056
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500