Best Political Science and Government Degrees in Minnesota by ROI
Colleges in Minnesota ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Minnesota
12
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$187,787
Across Minnesota programs
Average Annual Cost
$47,390
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Minnesota State University-Mankato
Grad rate: 53.3% |
+$29,049 | $49,684 | $22,565 | $25,460 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
University of St Thomas
Grad rate: 77.3% |
-$20,928 | $55,426 | $64,684 | $22,750 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Grad rate: 84.6% |
-$32,699 | $47,549 | $29,013 | $20,465 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
University of Minnesota-Duluth
Grad rate: 63.4% |
-$117,548 | $42,860 | $26,907 | $20,089 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Saint Cloud State University
Grad rate: 45.5% |
-$147,961 | $40,426 | $21,389 | $22,908 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Saint Johns University
Grad rate: 75.7% |
-$153,082 | $49,541 | $66,863 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Winona State University
Grad rate: 60.7% |
-$234,883 | $36,677 | $23,373 | $25,875 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Concordia College at Moorhead
Grad rate: 70.7% |
-$284,886 | $38,193 | $43,074 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Macalester College
Grad rate: 89.2% |
-$314,587 | $43,620 | $78,900 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Hamline University
Grad rate: 63.4% |
-$314,747 | $38,994 | $56,738 | $20,500 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
St Olaf College
Grad rate: 84.2% |
-$318,517 | $41,551 | $69,200 | $24,250 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Gustavus Adolphus College
Grad rate: 75.8% |
-$342,654 | $39,885 | $65,976 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Political Science and Government Degrees by State
Browse Political Science and Government programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.