Market intelligence · Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN

Minneapolis–St. Paul childcare real estate: values, cap rates & market data.

Q: Can I sell my center without my staff or competitors finding out?

Yes. Little Scholars runs confidential sale processes — buyers are qualified and sign NDAs before any identifying information about your center is shared.

What childcare centers and daycare properties are worth in the Minneapolis–St. Paul market — grounded in our own sold-comps database, our 2025 tuition survey, and U.S. Census data.

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223,710

Children under 5 in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro (2023)

+3.8%

Population change, 2018–2023

$98,180

Median household income — above the U.S. national median

−3.9%

Change in under-5 population, 2018–2023

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2018 & 2023), Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN-WI Metro Area.

What this means for owners

High incomes, high rates — the Upper Midwest premium.

The Twin Cities' median household income reached $98,180 — the highest in the Midwest and fourth among our markets — as the metro grew 3.8%. The under-5 count eased 3.9%.

Our surveyed schools charge a $2,144 median infant rate — the priciest in the Midwest — and Minnesota comps trade around a 7.3% median cap on 20 sales. High revenue per seat supports rent, and rent supports building values.

2025 tuition rates · Minneapolis–St. Paul market

Real rates from Minneapolis–St. Paul-market schools.

Actual monthly tuition rates our team received from national-chain schools in this market during our 2025 survey — not averages. Tuition drives revenue, and revenue drives value.

$2,144

Median infant rate / mo · Minneapolis–St. Paul market

$1,689

Median preschool rate / mo · Minneapolis–St. Paul market

71%

Median occupancy (enrollment ÷ licensed capacity), schools reporting

Brand	Location	Infant / mo	Pre-K / mo	Licensed capacity
KinderCare	Brooklyn Center (Earle Brown Dr)	$2,187	$1,775	107
KinderCare	Maplewood (County Road D E)	$2,100	$1,667	102
Tutor Time	Blaine (109th Ave NE)	$2,031	$1,710	189
Tutor Time	Cottage Grove (E Point Douglas Rd)	$2,065	$1,481	148
Tutor Time	Lakeville (176th St W)	$2,269	$1,606	156
Kiddie Academy	Edina (Computer Ave)	$2,295	$1,723	204

Disclosure: these rates and enrollment figures were manually received by our team, directly from each school, during our 2025 survey. Only schools that shared rates are shown; figures may have changed since. Medians are computed across the schools shown; median occupancy uses only schools that reported exact enrollment. Licensed capacity per state licensing records. Source: Little Scholars 2025 brand rate survey.

Cap rates & valuation context

What childcare properties trade at in Minnesota.

Across our sold-comps database, Minnesota childcare properties have typically traded at 6.7–7.5% cap rates, at a median of $279 per square foot, across 20 statewide sales. Where your property lands comes down to tenant credit, lease term, and the site itself.

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Source: Little Scholars sold-comps dataset — medians from 20 Minnesota childcare sales (14 with reported cap rate), within 592 transactions across 41 states; compiled from public records, updated June 2026.

6.7–7.5%

Typical cap-rate range, MN sales

7.3%

Median sold cap rate, MN

$279

Median price per SF, MN

MN childcare sales in our dataset

Brand (national)	Median sold cap	Median $/SF
KinderCare	6.67%	$381
La Petite Academy	6.89%	$207
Kiddie Academy	6.46%	$378
Tutor Time	8.47%	$372
Childtime	6.20%	$262

Market activity

12 childcare properties currently listed for sale in Minnesota.

Source: on-market childcare listings on Crexi as of July 20, 2026, reviewed by our team for childcare relevance. Availability changes daily; contact us for current opportunities.

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Why Little Scholars

The childcare broker who's run one.

30⁺

Years in the industry

70⁺

Centers sold

18⁺

States nationwide

2,800⁺

Investors in our network

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FAQ

Questions from Minneapolis–St. Paul owners.

How much does daycare tuition cost in Minneapolis–St. Paul?

In our 2025 survey of national-chain schools in the Minneapolis–St. Paul market, actual rates ran roughly $2,031–$2,295/mo for infants and $1,481–$1,775/mo for Pre-K, with medians of $2,144 and $1,689. Rates were received directly from each school and vary by program and location.

What cap rates do childcare properties sell at in Minnesota?

In our sold-comps dataset of 20 Minnesota childcare sales, properties have sold at a median cap rate of roughly 7.3%, typically ranging 6.7–7.5%, at a median of $279 per square foot. Individual deals vary with tenant credit, lease term, and location.

How much is my Minneapolis–St. Paul daycare business worth?

Childcare businesses are usually valued on a multiple of SDE or EBITDA, and the real estate on its income and comparable sales. Our instant valuation tool estimates both — free and confidential.

Who buys childcare centers in the Twin Cities?

Regional and national operators, franchisees, and net-lease real-estate investors. We maintain a network of 2,800+ childcare and net-lease investors who actively acquire early-education assets across 18+ states.

Can I sell my center without my staff or competitors finding out?

Yes. We run confidential sale processes — buyers are qualified and sign NDAs before any identifying information about your center is shared. Here's how our process works.

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