Early Childhood Education Degree in Duluth, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Early Childhood Education degree analysis for Duluth, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$45K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.1 yrs
in Duluth
Cost of Living
100
index (100 = avg)
Early Childhood Education in Duluth, MN Overview
While Duluth has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Early Childhood Education students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $12,662/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Early Childhood Education enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Child Development and Play-Based Learning. The adjusted starting salary in Duluth is approximately $50,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$13,872/yr
Private Tuition
$41,612/yr
Room & Board
$12,662/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,990/yr
Unemployment
3.2%
Graduation Rate
64%
Early Childhood Education Salary in Duluth (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Duluth's cost of living index of 100 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Early Childhood Education salary: $50,000 starting, $45,000 mid-career, $52,000 senior level.Duluth adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.
Early Childhood Education ROI Calculator for Duluth
Estimate your return on investment for a Early Childhood Education degree using local Duluth tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,872 | Private avg: $41,612
Duluth avg aid: $15,990/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$106,136
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,000
vs HS diploma in Duluth
ROI Payback Period
7.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Duluth
$73,864
Lifetime earnings premium ($180,000) minus total education cost ($106,136)
Student Loan Payoff for Early Childhood Education in Duluth
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Duluth for Early Childhood Education
University of Minnesota Duluth
public
$13,872/yr
$55,488 total
College of St. Scholastica
private
$41,612/yr
$166,448 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lake Superior College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Early Childhood Education in Duluth
Duluth offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Early Childhood Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Duluth Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Early Childhood Education Job Titles
Early Childhood Education in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$49K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
Saint Paul, MN
$51K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$54K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$53K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$50K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$49K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Duluth
Instructional Design & Technology
$50K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$50K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$50K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$50K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education Degree in Duluth — 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 Early Childhood Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Duluth.