Environmental Engineering Degree in Minneapolis, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Environmental Engineering degree analysis for Minneapolis, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$63K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$92K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.8 yrs
in Minneapolis
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Environmental Engineering in Minneapolis, MN Overview
Minneapolis, Minnesota (pop. 429,954) has 15 colleges offering Environmental Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 97 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $805/month. Environmental Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Water Treatment and Air Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Minneapolis is approximately $63,050.
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%
Environmental Engineering Salary in Minneapolis (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Minneapolis's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Environmental Engineering salary: $65,000 starting, $95,000 mid-career, $120,000 senior level.Minneapolis adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Environmental Engineering ROI Calculator for Minneapolis
Estimate your return on investment for a Environmental 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
$29,100
vs HS diploma in Minneapolis
ROI Payback Period
3.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Minneapolis
$617,356
Lifetime earnings premium ($727,500) minus total education cost ($110,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Environmental Engineering in Minneapolis
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Minneapolis for Environmental 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 Environmental Engineering in Minneapolis
Minneapolis offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Environmental 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 Environmental Engineering Job Titles
Environmental Engineering in Nearby Minnesota Cities
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
Duluth, MN
$65K starting · COL 100
5 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 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
Environmental 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 Environmental Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Minneapolis.