Civil Engineering Degree in Minneapolis, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Civil Engineering degree analysis for Minneapolis, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$66K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$97K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.4 yrs
in Minneapolis
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Civil Engineering in Minneapolis, MN Overview
Minneapolis, Minnesota (pop. 429,954) has 15 colleges offering Civil Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 97 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $805/month. Civil Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Structural Analysis and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Minneapolis is approximately $65,960.
Category
Engineering
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%
Civil Engineering Salary in Minneapolis (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Minneapolis's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Civil Engineering salary: $68,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Minneapolis adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Civil Engineering ROI Calculator for Minneapolis
Estimate your return on investment for a Civil Engineering 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
$32,010
vs HS diploma in Minneapolis
ROI Payback Period
3.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Minneapolis
$714,356
Lifetime earnings premium ($824,500) minus total education cost ($110,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Civil Engineering in Minneapolis
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Minneapolis for Civil Engineering
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 Civil Engineering in Minneapolis
Minneapolis offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Civil Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Minneapolis Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Civil Engineering Job Titles
Civil Engineering in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Saint Paul, MN
$69K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$73K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$71K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$68K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$68K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$67K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$73K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$73K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Minneapolis
Petroleum Engineering
$49K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$49K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$80K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$49K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$78K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$78K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$76K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$49K starting · 3 yr ROI
Civil Engineering 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 Civil Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Minneapolis.