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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Minnesota
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Minnesota? We have ranked 95 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Trade College analyzed 37 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Minnesota
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
North Hennepin Community College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Minnesota. Set in Brooklyn Park, MN, North Hennepin Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. The median Trade program debt is $21,241. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,142. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Read the full report on North Hennepin Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rochester Community And Technical College earned it the #2 place in Minnesota. Based in Rochester, MN, Rochester Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Students borrow a median of $20,291 to complete their Trade program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Rochester Community And Technical College profile
Out of the 37 schools in Minnesota in this year's value ranking, Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #3 spot. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a public school based in Alexandria, MN. Students from in state pay about $6,236 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $14,054 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,393 ten years after entry. Set against $14,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Alexandria Technical And Community College
A rank of #4 makes Anoka Technical College one of the best values in Minnesota. Based in Anoka, MN, Anoka Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,267 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,408 to complete their Trade program here. Anoka Technical College alumni report median earnings of $47,746 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,408 median debt. See the full Anoka Technical College profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Lakes College Brainerd earned it the #5 place in Minnesota. Based in Brainerd, MN, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,249. Typical Trade student debt is $14,479. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,162. That is a strong return on a $14,479 median debt. More on Central Lakes College Brainerd
Hennepin Technical College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Located in Brooklyn Park, MN, Hennepin Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Typical Trade student debt is $17,887. Median earnings reach $49,460 ten years out. Set against $17,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Hennepin Technical College
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, MN, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Median earnings reach $46,874 ten years out. Set against $16,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on St Cloud Technical And Community College
Century College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in White Bear Lake, MN. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $21,332. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Century College report
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a public school based in Saint Paul, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College Trade students take on a median of $17,650 in debt. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College alumni report median earnings of $38,399 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College
Ridgewater College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Willmar, MN, Ridgewater College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. The median Trade program debt is $15,556. Median earnings reach $43,827 ten years out. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Ridgewater College
Northland Community And Technical College landed the #11 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Based in Thief River Falls, MN, Northland Community And Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,289 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,550 to complete their Trade program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,425. That is a strong return on a $18,550 median debt. See the full Northland Community And Technical College profile
Pine Technical College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Set in Pine City, MN, Pine Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738. Typical Trade student debt is $22,454. Pine Technical College alumni report median earnings of $41,232 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Pine Technical College profile
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College placed #13 among the best-value Trade schools in Minnesota. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a public school based in Hibbing, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. The median Trade program debt is $17,029. Median earnings reach $45,570 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt. Read more about Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College
Inver Hills Community College placed #14 among the best-value Trade schools in Minnesota. Based in Inver Grove Heights, MN, Inver Hills Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,146. Typical Trade student debt is $20,160. Inver Hills Community College alumni report median earnings of $49,898 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,160 median debt. See the full Inver Hills Community College profile
Dakota County Technical College landed the #15 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Located in Rosemount, MN, Dakota County Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,679. Dakota County Technical College Trade students take on a median of $13,474 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,938. Set against $13,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Dakota County Technical College report
Anoka Ramsey Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Coon Rapids, MN, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,682 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $22,593 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,342. That is a strong return on a $22,593 median debt. Read the full report on Anoka Ramsey Community College
Minnesota State Community And Technical College placed #17 among the best-value Trade schools in Minnesota. Based in Fergus Falls, MN, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,908. Graduates carry a median of $18,197 in student loans. Median earnings reach $45,591 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Minnesota State Community And Technical College
South Central College offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Based in North Mankato, MN, South Central College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. The median Trade program debt is $13,139. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on South Central College
Northwest Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Based in Bemidji, MN, Northwest Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,254 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,053 to complete their Trade program here. Northwest Technical College alumni report median earnings of $42,930 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Northwest Technical College
Bemidji State University placed #20 among the best-value Trade schools in Minnesota. Bemidji State University is a public school based in Bemidji, MN. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,755. That is a strong return on a $25,819 median debt. Bemidji State University has an acceptance rate of 56%. Get the full Bemidji State University report
Minnesota West Community And Technical College landed the #21 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Located in Granite Falls, MN, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. Graduates carry a median of $13,946 in student loans. Median earnings reach $45,285 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Minnesota West Community And Technical College
Minneapolis Community And Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,161. The median Trade program debt is $24,036. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,086 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,036 median debt. Read more about Minneapolis Community And Technical College
Lake Superior College landed the #23 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Based in Duluth, MN, Lake Superior College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785. Students borrow a median of $17,156 to complete their Trade program here. Lake Superior College alumni report median earnings of $46,449 a decade after entry. Set against $17,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Lake Superior College
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Located in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete their Trade program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,922. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants. More on Minnesota State University Mankato
Normandale Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Bloomington, MN, Normandale Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $20,162 in student loans. Normandale Community College alumni report median earnings of $50,207 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Normandale Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Minnesota
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Metropolitan State University landed the #26 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Located in Saint Paul, MN, Metropolitan State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $30,822. Median earnings reach $64,705 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%. More on Metropolitan State University
Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public school based in Moorhead, MN. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,447 to complete their Trade program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%. Read more about Minnesota State University Moorhead
Saint Cloud State University landed the #28 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Located in Saint Cloud, MN, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. The median Trade program debt is $25,076. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,813. That is a strong return on a $25,076 median debt. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Saint Cloud State University report
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Located in Winona, MN, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,432. Minnesota State College Southeast Technical Trade students take on a median of $22,522 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,613. That is a strong return on a $22,522 median debt. Read more about Minnesota State College Southeast Technical
University Of Minnesota Crookston landed the #30 spot for value in Minnesota this year. University Of Minnesota Crookston is a public school based in Crookston, MN. Students from in state pay about $13,288 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $26,661. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,056 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Crookston has an acceptance rate of 88%. More on University Of Minnesota Crookston
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,020 ten years after entry. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
Rasmussen College Minnesota offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Located in St. Cloud, MN, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,199. Graduates carry a median of $28,723 in student loans. Rasmussen College Minnesota alumni report median earnings of $39,080 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,723 median debt. Get the full Rasmussen College Minnesota report
Dunwoody College Of Technology landed the #33 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,477. Dunwoody College Of Technology Trade students take on a median of $18,973 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,511. Set against $18,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%. Get the full Dunwoody College Of Technology report
Concordia University Saint Paul offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Concordia University Saint Paul is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,600. Graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Concordia University Saint Paul alumni report median earnings of $59,871 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants. Get the full Concordia University Saint Paul report
St Catherine University came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $38,428. Typical Trade student debt is $29,883. Median earnings reach $59,282 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $29,883 median debt. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants. Get the full St Catherine University report
Bethel University Minnesota offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete their Trade program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,764 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,639 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Bethel University Minnesota report
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Based in Winona, MN, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. Typical Trade student debt is $27,081. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota alumni report median earnings of $58,170 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. More on Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
North Central University offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Get the full North Central University report
Northwestern College Minnesota offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. More on Northwestern College Minnesota
Crescent Training Dba Crescent Career Center came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. More on Crescent Training Dba Crescent Career Center
Bethany Lutheran College landed the #41 spot for value in Minnesota this year. See the full Bethany Lutheran College profile
Concordia College At Moorhead offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read the full report on Concordia College At Moorhead
Northland Community And Technical College Aerospace placed #43 among the best-value Trade schools in Minnesota. See the full Northland Community And Technical College Aerospace profile
Crown College
Crown College offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read the full report on Crown College
Martin Luther College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full Martin Luther College profile
Hamline University landed the #46 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Read the full report on Hamline University
St Olaf College
St Olaf College landed the #47 spot for value in Minnesota this year. Read more about St Olaf College
Luther Seminary
Luther Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read more about Luther Seminary
Model College Of Hair Design placed #49 among the best-value Trade schools in Minnesota. Get the full Model College Of Hair Design report
Adler Graduate School came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Adler Graduate School
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 37 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 95 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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