University of Minnesota-Duluth
University of Minnesota-Duluth — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Minnesota-Duluth at a Glance
The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) is a public university in Duluth, Minnesota, United States. It is part of the University of Minnesota System. UMD offers 17 bachelor's degrees in 87 majors, graduate programs in 24 different fields, a four-year program at the School of Medicine, and a four-year College of Pharmacy program.
1947
79 years old
$283M
$283 million (2022)
9,529
7,367 undergrad · 820 grad
577
244 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Minnesota-Duluth
Official admissions pageMarch 31
January 31 (Early Action I)
$55
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is University of Minnesota-Duluth Worth It?
University of Minnesota-Duluth offers moderate value at $18,743/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $62,616, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 65% graduation rate means roughly 35% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of Minnesota-Duluth compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #20 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | Michigan Technological University | 94 | $14,182 | $78,198 |
| #6 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #20 | University of Minnesota-Duluth | 54 | $18,743 | $62,616 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Minnesota-Duluth's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Minnesota-Duluth
The highest-earning program at University of Minnesota-Duluth is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $63,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $22,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from University of Minnesota-Duluth earns $63,100, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $22,600. 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: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $26,625 in median debt vs. $23,778 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,743/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $63,100 | $63,100 | $26,625 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $62,000 | $62,000 | $21,500 |
| Chemical Engineering | $60,100 | $60,100 | $23,500 |
| Computer Science | $59,300 | $59,300 | $25,216 |
| Civil Engineering | $56,100 | $56,100 | $26,782 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $56,000 | $56,000 | $27,000 |
| Statistics | $50,600 | $50,600 | $15,740 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $49,300 | $49,300 | $26,475 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $49,100 | $49,100 | $23,076 |
| Mathematics | $47,600 | $47,600 | $18,902 |
| Marketing | $45,300 | $45,300 | $23,995 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $43,900 | $43,900 | $22,500 |
| Economics | $43,600 | $43,600 | $23,934 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,700 | $40,700 | $23,337 |
| Education, Other | $38,400 | $38,400 | $27,660 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $38,000 | $38,000 | $27,000 |
| Criminology | $35,700 | $35,700 | $21,500 |
| Chemistry | $35,500 | $35,500 | $24,279 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,400 | $34,400 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,700 | $32,700 | $20,554 |
| Psychology, General | $32,300 | $32,300 | $22,750 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $31,400 | $31,400 | $24,000 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $30,700 | $30,700 | $22,407 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $30,600 | $30,600 | $25,990 |
| Biology, General | $30,000 | $30,000 | $23,342 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $30,000 | $30,000 | $20,250 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $27,000 | $27,000 | $25,825 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $24,100 | $24,100 | $24,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,600 | $22,600 | $23,778 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Duluth, MN
- Student Body
- 7,336 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,743
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,616
- Median Student Debt
- $22,024