Biology Degree in St. Paul, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Biology degree analysis for St. Paul, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$81K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.8 yrs
in St. Paul
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Biology in St. Paul, MN Overview
St. Paul, Minnesota (pop. 308,096) has 20 colleges offering Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $843/month. Biology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Cell Biology and Genetics. The adjusted starting salary in St. Paul is approximately $51,840, growing to $81,000 by mid-career.
Category
STEM
Local Colleges
20
Public Tuition
$10,448/yr
Private Tuition
$52,990/yr
Room & Board
$13,408/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,005/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
70%
Biology Salary in St. Paul (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for St. Paul's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Biology salary: $48,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.St. Paul adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Biology ROI Calculator for St. Paul
Estimate your return on investment for a Biology degree using local St. Paul tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,448 | Private avg: $52,990
St. Paul avg aid: $15,005/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$95,424
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,040
vs HS diploma in St. Paul
ROI Payback Period
6.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in St. Paul
$336,576
Lifetime earnings premium ($432,000) minus total education cost ($95,424)
Student Loan Payoff for Biology in St. Paul
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in St. Paul for Biology
Hamline University
private
$45,776/yr
$183,104 total
Macalester College
private
$60,204/yr
$240,816 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Saint Paul College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Biology in St. Paul
St. Paul offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key St. Paul Hiring Sectors for STEM
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Biology Job Titles
Biology in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$47K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
Saint Paul, MN
$49K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
Rochester, MN
$50K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$48K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$48K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$47K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$52K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$52K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other STEM Majors in St. Paul
Prompt Engineering
$54K starting · 1.5 yr ROI
Computational Linguistics
$103K starting · 2 yr ROI
Computer Science
$92K starting · 2.8 yr ROI
Software Engineering
$95K starting · 2.7 yr ROI
Data Science
$89K starting · 3 yr ROI
Astrophysics
$92K starting · 3 yr ROI
Actuarial Science
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Cybersecurity
$86K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Biology degree outcomes in St. Paul, MN: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Biology programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Minnesota.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for St. Paul using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for Biology graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Biology career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Biology grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for St. Paul Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Minnesota students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Minnesota programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "minnesota higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Biology Degree in St. Paul — 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 Biology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in St. Paul.