Architecture Degree in Bloomington, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Bloomington, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$58K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$82K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5 yrs
in Bloomington
Cost of Living
100.2
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Bloomington, MN Overview
While Bloomington has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Architecture students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,533/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Bloomington is approximately $58,116.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,533/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,264/yr
Unemployment
2.3%
Graduation Rate
75%
Architecture Salary in Bloomington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bloomington's cost of living index of 100.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Bloomington adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Bloomington
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Bloomington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Bloomington avg aid: $11,264/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$114,932
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$23,046
vs HS diploma in Bloomington
ROI Payback Period
5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bloomington
$366,028
Lifetime earnings premium ($480,960) minus total education cost ($114,932)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Bloomington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bloomington for Architecture
Bloomington State University
public
$15,525/yr
$62,100 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bloomington Community College
$5,519/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Bloomington
Bloomington offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bloomington Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$56K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
Saint Paul, MN
$59K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$63K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$61K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$58K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$57K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$62K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$62K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Bloomington
UX Design
$50K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$50K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$50K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$48K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$50K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$50K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$50K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$50K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Bloomington — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Architecture ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Bloomington.