Environmental Engineering Degree in Duluth, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Environmental Engineering degree analysis for Duluth, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$65K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$95K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.5 yrs
in Duluth
Cost of Living
100
index (100 = avg)
Environmental Engineering in Duluth, MN Overview
While Duluth has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Environmental Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $12,662/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Environmental Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Water Treatment and Air Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Duluth is approximately $65,000.
Category
Engineering
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%
Environmental Engineering Salary in Duluth (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Duluth's cost of living index of 100 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Environmental Engineering salary: $65,000 starting, $95,000 mid-career, $120,000 senior level.Duluth adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.
Environmental Engineering ROI Calculator for Duluth
Estimate your return on investment for a Environmental Engineering 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
$30,000
vs HS diploma in Duluth
ROI Payback Period
3.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Duluth
$643,864
Lifetime earnings premium ($750,000) minus total education cost ($106,136)
Student Loan Payoff for Environmental Engineering in Duluth
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Duluth for Environmental Engineering
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 Environmental Engineering in Duluth
Duluth offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Environmental Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Duluth Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Environmental Engineering Job Titles
Environmental Engineering in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$63K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
Saint Paul, MN
$66K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$70K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$68K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$65K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$64K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$70K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$70K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Duluth
Petroleum Engineering
$50K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$50K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$82K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$50K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$80K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$80K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$78K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$50K starting · 3 yr ROI
Environmental Engineering 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 Environmental Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Duluth.