Architecture Degree in Minneapolis, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Minneapolis, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$80K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.9 yrs
in Minneapolis
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Minneapolis, MN Overview
Minneapolis, Minnesota (pop. 429,954) has 15 colleges offering Architecture programs. The local cost of living index of 97 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $805/month. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Minneapolis is approximately $56,260.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
15
Public Tuition
$15,142/yr
Private Tuition
$45,823/yr
Room & Board
$12,394/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,033/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
61%
Architecture Salary in Minneapolis (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Minneapolis's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Minneapolis adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Minneapolis
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Minneapolis tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,142 | Private avg: $45,823
Minneapolis avg aid: $14,033/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$110,144
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$22,310
vs HS diploma in Minneapolis
ROI Payback Period
4.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Minneapolis
$355,456
Lifetime earnings premium ($465,600) minus total education cost ($110,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Minneapolis
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Minneapolis for Architecture
University of Minnesota
public
$15,142/yr
$60,568 total
University of St. Thomas
private
$49,716/yr
$198,864 total
Augsburg University
private
$41,930/yr
$167,720 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Minneapolis College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Minneapolis
Minneapolis offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Minneapolis Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Minnesota Cities
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
Bloomington, MN
$58K starting · COL 100.2
4 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 Minneapolis
UX Design
$49K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$49K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$49K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$47K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$49K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$49K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$49K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$49K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Minneapolis — 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 Minneapolis.