Head-to-head · 2026
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota vs University of Minnesota-Rochester
Compare average net price ($11,704 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota; $13,744 at University of Minnesota-Rochester), ROI score (12.43 vs 12.55), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($58,170 vs $69,020), and admissions selectivity (92.8% acceptance at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota; 71% at University of Minnesota-Rochester) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | University of Minnesota-Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.43 | 12.55 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $11,704 ✓ | $13,744 |
| 4-year avg net price | $46,816 ✓ | $54,976 |
| In-state tuition | $45,080 | $15,016 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $45,080 | $15,016 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $58,170 | $69,020 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 92.8% | 71% |
| Graduation rate | 66% ✓ | 57.4% |
| Retention rate | 74.6% ✓ | 70.4% |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $19,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,073 | 568 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1183 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | University of Minnesota-Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $16,182 | $6,116 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $15,175 | $4,256 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,030 | $6,748 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $14,771 | $14,650 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $6,135 ✓ | $23,769 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
No shared field has positive award-share data at both schools in the current federal records. Check each school's official catalog before ruling out a program.
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota reports the lower average net price by $2,040 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $8,160 difference over four years ($46,816 vs $54,976).
University of Minnesota-Rochester reports $10,850 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($69,020 vs $58,170). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 74.6% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and 70.4% at University of Minnesota-Rochester. Median federal debt among completers is $21,500 vs $19,500, respectively.
The current federal records do not show a shared field with positive award-share data for these schools. That does not prove a program is unavailable; verify offerings with each school.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota vs University of Minnesota-Rochester, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is cheaper — average net price $11,704 per year vs $13,744 at University of Minnesota-Rochester. The annual difference of $2,040 adds up to about $8,160 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Minnesota-Rochester reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $69,020 vs $58,170 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. The gap in the federal data is $10,850. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Minnesota-Rochester is more selective at 71% acceptance vs 92.8% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.