Studying the rate of return for rural residents in minority areas can give a good explanation for the problems of children enrolling in school and dropping out. On the whole, the education rate of return for rural residents in northwest minority areas is low, the Mincer function estimate is 2%, and the Heckman model estimate is 2.49%. The rate of return for minorities is greater than that for the Han. Between the sexes, the rate of return for Han men is lower than that for Han women. For various minorities, the education rates of return for men are greater than for women. At different stages of education, the rate of return for minorities is generally greater than that for the Han. The rates of return for the Han rise along with elementary school, middle school, and high school level of education. For those with a middle school, rates of return are negative, and exhibit a "U" model structure. [English translation © 2016 Taylor & Francis, Inc., from the Chinese text "Xibei shaoshu minzu diqu nongcun jumin de jiaoyu shouyilü yanjiu" by Sun Baicai. Translated by Jeff Keller. Originally published in "Xibei shida xuebao" ("Journal of Northwest Normal University" 2013, vol. 50, no. 1.]