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Minnesota State University-Mankato
Minnesota State University-Mankato admits nearly everyone — 88.4% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether Minnesota State University-Mankato is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
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Minnesota State University-Mankato sits in Mankato proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. International students are a visible presence here — 9.1% of undergraduates come from outside the U.S.
Its highest-earning path is Air Transportation, where graduates median $103,858 four years out. Faculty pay averages $135,084 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. Most of its 11,703 undergraduates commute — campus empties by evening — yet 80.3% of first-years return, which says something about what daytime here is worth.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 22 and 25 on the ACT composite. Put your own practice estimate on Minnesota State University-Mankato's range with the ACT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Minnesota State University-Mankato is test-optional — scores count when submitted, none required. Minnesota State University-Mankato's submitters' middle half scored 22–25 on the ACT; read that as the stronger-tester end of the admitted class.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Composite | 22 | 24 | 25 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Minnesota State University-Mankato received 8,974 applications and admitted 8,196 (91.3%), with 2,407 enrolling.
How Minnesota State University-Mankato compares
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | Minnesota median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 88.4% | 85.4% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $9,572 | $22,520 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $56,922 | $58,351 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Minnesota State University-Mankato's median earnings are $56,922 — below the Minnesota benchmark of $58,351. Weigh that against the $9,572 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Minnesota State University-Mankato prices by residency: $9,572 in-state versus $18,942 out-of-state — a $9,370 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
Minnesota State University-Mankato enrolls 11,703 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Minnesota State University-Mankato's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
53.9% graduate within six years. Roughly 46% don't — ask a Minnesota State University-Mankato tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Minnesota State University-Mankato
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Air Transportation | $103,858 |
| Construction Management | $102,090 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $95,398 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $85,655 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $85,286 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $83,115 |
| Engineering, General | $82,903 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $82,429 |
| Economics | $80,795 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $80,482 |
| Civil Engineering | $74,989 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $74,852 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $73,726 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $72,882 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $70,486 |
| Mathematics | $70,257 |
| Marketing | $68,772 |
| International Business | $68,079 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $65,513 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $64,585 |
| Biology, General | $60,198 |
| Political Science and Government | $59,997 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $59,187 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $57,506 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $57,266 |
| Social Work | $56,858 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,119 |
| Geography and Cartography | $56,022 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $55,905 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $55,396 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | $54,532 |
| Psychology, General | $52,859 |
| History | $52,550 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $52,041 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $52,001 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $51,630 |
| Sociology | $51,618 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $50,694 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $50,337 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $48,632 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $47,822 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $45,688 |
| Dance | $37,959 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $32,199 |
Median earnings for these 44 Minnesota State University-Mankato programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $56,922 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 36 additional Minnesota State University-Mankato programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Minnesota State University-Mankato?
The middle 50% of Minnesota State University-Mankato's submitters earned ACT composites of 22–25; no GPA cutoff is published.
What is Minnesota State University-Mankato's acceptance rate?
91.3% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 8,196 admitted from 8,974 applicants.
How much does Minnesota State University-Mankato cost?
In-state tuition is $9,572; out-of-state students pay $18,942. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $56,922 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Minnesota
- Metropolitan State University — 98.7% admitted
- University of Minnesota-Crookston — 87.9% admitted
- Herzing University-Minneapolis — 93.8% admitted
- Hamline University — 87.6% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.