2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Minnesota

1

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College
Hibbing, MN

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in Minnesota. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,029. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bemidji State University earned it the #2 place for general education. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $48,984. Set against $25,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.

3

Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Southwest Minnesota State University, which ranked #3. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,016 in student loans. General Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $55,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,016 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

4

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #4 spot this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $52,019 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

5

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

A rank of #5 makes Capella University one of the best values for general education. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. General Education graduates of Capella University earn a median of $74,309 early in their careers. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $50,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

7

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $51,118. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.

8

Martin Luther College
New Ulm, MN

Martin Luther College came in at #8 for value in general education this year. Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of New Ulm. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,120. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,224. Early-career general education graduates make about $31,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

9

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Winona, MN

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #9 spot for general education value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $59,959. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.

10

Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University placed #10 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

11

Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, MN

Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #11 spot for general education value this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,076. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,197. General Education graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $44,396 early in their careers. Set against $26,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.

12

Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University Minnesota landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $57,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.