College Cost Planning in St. Paul, MN 2026
Estimate tuition, housing, financial aid, and payback using local planning benchmarks for St. Paul, Minnesota. Use the calculator to stress-test your net cost before borrowing.
Local Planning Model, Not a School Directory
DegreeCalc treats St. Paul as an education-cost market for tuition, rent, aid, and payback planning. We do not publish synthetic or unverified institution names on this page. Before applying, verify specific schools with NCES College Navigator, College Scorecard, official catalogs, and each school's net price calculator.
Avg Public Tuition
$10,448
per year
Avg Private Tuition
$52,990
per year
Avg Rent Near Campus
$843
per month
Local Cost Market
20
benchmark points
St. Paul Overview
Population
308,096
Student Population (est.)
20,175 (6.5%)
Cost of Living Index (est.)
108 (avg: 100)
Walkability (est.)
46/100
Transit Access (est.)
30/100
Unemployment Rate (est.)
4.7%
College Cost Calculator for St. Paul
Cost Inputs
Total Cost (4 Years, Public In-State)
$95,424
Total After Financial Aid
$95,424
Annual Cost
$23,856
Annual After Aid
$23,856
Cost Breakdown (4 Years)
If Financed (10-Year Loan at 6.5%)
| Loan Amount | $95,424 |
| Monthly Payment | $1,084 |
| Total Interest | $34,598 |
| Total Loan Cost | $130,022 |
Education Cost Benchmarks in St. Paul
These are city-level planning estimates for tuition, housing, aid, and student costs. Use them for budgeting, then verify specific schools with NCES College Navigator, College Scorecard, and the institution's own net price calculator.
Benchmark points
20
Public tuition
$10,448
Private tuition
$52,990
Community college
$5,772
Cost of Living in St. Paul vs. National Average
| Category | St. Paul | National Benchmark | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Tuition (In-State) | $10,448 | $11,950 | -$1,502 |
| Monthly Rent Near Campus | $843 | $1,050 | -$207 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 100 | +8 |
St. Paul's cost of living is above the national average. Students should budget accordingly and consider off-campus housing options to reduce expenses.
Student Life in St. Paul
Walkability (est.)
Car-Dependent
Transit Access (est.)
Minimal Transit
Student Population
20,175 students
The St. Paul model assumes a total population of 308,096, with approximately 20,175 college students (6.5% of the population). While not primarily a college town, St. Paul offers students access to urban amenities, diverse employment opportunities, and a wide range of cultural experiences.
Post-Graduation Outlook in St. Paul
$48,971
Starting Salary (modeled)
4.7%
Unemployment Rate (est.)
70%
Graduation Rate (est.)
~6.8 yrs
ROI Payback Period
Return on Investment Analysis
The planning model uses a starting salary benchmark of $48,971 for St. Paul, which is $13,971 more per year than the model's high school earnings benchmark of $35,000. At the modeled net cost, the salary premium would take about 6.8 years to cover the investment. With estimated average financial aid of $15,005 per student per year, the net cost can change materially by school and program. These are modeled assumptions, not measured earnings of local graduates; use College Scorecard for school- and program-level outcomes.
Other Cities in Minnesota
Minneapolis
15 benchmark points · Est. tuition $15,142
Rochester
8 benchmark points · Est. tuition $8,930
Duluth
5 benchmark points · Est. tuition $13,872
St. Cloud
7 benchmark points · Est. tuition $8,546
Moorhead
3 benchmark points · Est. tuition $8,982
Mankato
4 benchmark points · Est. tuition $9,040
Winona
2 benchmark points · Est. tuition $8,666
Saint Paul
11 benchmark points · Est. tuition $14,200
Bloomington
4 benchmark points · Est. tuition $14,200
Brooklyn Park
4 benchmark points · Est. tuition $14,200
Plymouth
4 benchmark points · Est. tuition $14,200
Maple Grove
4 benchmark points · Est. tuition $14,200
Methodology & Education Data Sources for St. Paul
How the St. Paul figures are built: The tuition, housing, aid, salary, unemployment, graduation-rate, walkability, and transit numbers on this page are city-level planning estimates from DegreeCalc's internal benchmark model. They are not pulled institution-by-institution from IPEDS or College Scorecard, are not official statistics for St. Paul, and should be treated as a starting point for budgeting only. The national in-state tuition comparison uses College Board's 2025-26 published average.
- Tuition figures are modeled city-level estimates; out-of-state public tuition in the calculator is approximated as 2.5x the in-state estimate. Verify real published rates in IPEDS / College Navigator for each school.
- Acceptance rates are not modeled on this page; look them up per school in College Scorecard or College Navigator.
- Earnings and payback compare a modeled starting salary against a fixed $35,000 high school earnings benchmark used by this calculator. For measured earnings by school and program, use College Scorecard.
- Default rates are not modeled on this page; the U.S. Department of Education publishes official Cohort Default Rates by school.
- Local context: the walkability, transit, and cost-of-living values are internal estimates (not Walk Score® ratings or official indexes) that affect total college expenses beyond tuition.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data, federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education), earnings, debt, completion
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics, education indicators
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), official US student loan info
- NCES College Navigator, official institution search
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, career outcomes by major
Education Disclaimer: City figures on this page are modeled planning estimates, not official IPEDS or College Scorecard values. Tuition can change annually. Always verify current figures with the institution's financial aid office. Use the FAFSA Estimator for personalized aid eligibility.
Reviewed by Tobias Merrick · Last updated 2026 · City figures are model estimates; verify with official sources above
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does college cost in St. Paul, MN?
DegreeCalc's planning model estimates in-state public university tuition in St. Paul at about $10,448 per year, private university tuition at about $52,990, and community college tuition at about $5,772. With an estimated $13,408/year for room and board, the modeled annual cost at a public university is approximately $23,856. These are planning estimates, not published prices for a specific school; confirm actual costs with each school's net price calculator.
How many local cost benchmarks are used for St. Paul, MN?
The St. Paul model uses approximately 20 local education-market benchmark points for tuition, housing, and student-cost planning. It assumes an estimated student population of approximately 20,175, about 6.5% of the modeled city population. Use NCES College Navigator for an official count of institutions and enrollment.
What is the average rent near campus in St. Paul?
DegreeCalc's planning model estimates rent near college campuses in St. Paul at approximately $843 per month, with a modeled cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100), a walkability estimate of 46/100, and a transit estimate of 30/100. Check current local listings before budgeting; students can save on housing by sharing apartments or living further from campus.
What is the average starting salary after college in St. Paul?
DegreeCalc's planning model uses a starting salary benchmark of $48,971 for St. Paul, along with modeled estimates of 4.7% local unemployment, $15,005 in average aid per student, and a 70% graduation rate. These are planning assumptions rather than measured outcomes for local graduates; check College Scorecard for program-level earnings and BLS LAUS for current local unemployment.
Is it worth going to college in St. Paul, MN?
With a modeled starting salary of $48,971 and an estimated 4-year public university cost of $95,424 (including room and board), the modeled salary premium can recoup the net investment in about 6.8 years. The modeled 70% graduation rate underscores the importance of choosing the right program and staying on track academically.
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