2026 Best Value Psychology Schools in Minnesota
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for psychology students.
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2026 Best Value Psychology Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Psychology Schools
Saint Cloud State University tops our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools in Minnesota. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,935. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $50,090. That is a strong return on a $24,935 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Morris one of the best values for psychology. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,526, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,341 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $36,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $42,416. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Concordia University Saint Paul, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,243. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $33,963. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,500. Early-career psychology graduates make about $33,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Winona State University placed #7 among the best values for psychology. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,875. Psychology graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $37,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #8 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $56,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,225 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $38,543. That is a strong return on a $24,225 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $72,744 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $40,816. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $57,552. Set against $40,816 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #12 for value in psychology 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. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,081. Psychology graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $67,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Hamline University came in at #13 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,004. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,512. Psychology graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $37,872 early in their careers. Set against $24,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Metropolitan State University earned the #14 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,390 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $36,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,390 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
St Olaf College came in at #15 for value in psychology this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,000. Psychology graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $35,070 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
St Catherine University placed #16 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,532 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $32,426. Set against $29,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Augsburg College placed #17 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,452. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $29,619. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Saint Scholastica placed #18 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,778. Students borrow a median of $26,024 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of The College Of Saint Scholastica earn a median of $31,367 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Northwestern College Minnesota placed #19 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,749 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $37,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern College Minnesota admits about 94% of applicants.
Concordia College At Moorhead placed #20 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,170. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,899 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Concordia College At Moorhead earn a median of $31,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #21 for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,076. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,914. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $33,174. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Johns University landed the #22 spot for psychology value this year. Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Collegeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,816. Students borrow a median of $26,428 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $47,238. Set against $26,428 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Carleton College earned the #23 position for value in psychology this year. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. In-state tuition and fees average $68,892. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $16,700. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $39,238. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 20%.
Crown College placed #24 among the best values for psychology. Set in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,410. Students borrow a median of $46,800 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Crown College earn a median of $50,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 23%.
College Of Saint Benedict ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,756. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $41,029. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for psychology this year:
View All Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
