What is the starting salary for Foreign Languages & Literatures graduates in St. Paul?

The estimated starting salary for Foreign Languages & Literatures graduates in St. Paul, MN is $54,000 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 108. The national average starting salary for this major is $50,000. Salaries in St. Paul are 8% higher than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Foreign Languages & Literatures degree worth it in St. Paul?

A Foreign Languages & Literatures degree in St. Paul has an estimated ROI payback period of 5.9 years, with a projected lifetime return of $206,976 after subtracting education costs. With 20 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $10,448/year, St. Paul offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 4.7% and the major's national unemployment rate of 4.2% should also factor into your decision.

How much does it cost to study Foreign Languages & Literatures in St. Paul?

The average annual public university tuition in St. Paul is $10,448, while private universities average $52,990/year. Including room and board ($13,408/year), total 4-year costs range from $95,424 at a public school to $265,592 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in St. Paul is $15,005/year.

What jobs can Foreign Languages & Literatures graduates get in St. Paul?

Foreign Languages & Literatures graduates in St. Paul can pursue careers as Translator, Interpreter, Foreign Service Officer, Language Teacher. Key skills valued by local employers include Fluency in Target Language, Translation, Cultural Competence, Literary Analysis. The St. Paul job market features Publishing, Non-profits, Education among the top hiring sectors for this field. National top employers include State Department, UN, Translation Services.

How long to pay off student loans for Foreign Languages & Literatures in St. Paul?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Foreign Languages & Literatures graduates in St. Paul would pay $1,084/month on an estimated $95,424 in loans, with $34,598 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,867/month but save $17,998 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $54,000, monthly payments would represent 24% of gross monthly income.

Foreign Languages & Literatures Degree in St. Paul, MN — Salary & ROI 2026

Foreign Languages & Literatures degree analysis for St. Paul, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$54K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$70K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.9 yrs

in St. Paul

Cost of Living

108

index (100 = avg)

Foreign Languages & Literatures in St. Paul, MN Overview

St. Paul, Minnesota (pop. 308,096) has 20 colleges offering Foreign Languages & Literatures programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $843/month. Although national enrollment in Foreign Languages & Literatures has been declining, graduates with skills in Fluency in Target Language and Translation remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in St. Paul is approximately $54,000.

Foreign Languages & Literatures Salary in St. Paul (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for St. Paul's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$54,000(+$4,000 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$70,200(+$5,200 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$86,400(+$6,400 vs national)

Note: National average Foreign Languages & Literatures salary: $50,000 starting, $65,000 mid-career, $80,000 senior level.St. Paul adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.

Foreign Languages & Literatures ROI Calculator for St. Paul

Estimate your return on investment for a Foreign Languages & Literatures degree using local St. Paul tuition and cost of living data.

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $10,448 | Private avg: $52,990

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

St. Paul avg aid: $15,005/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$95,424

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$16,200

vs HS diploma in St. Paul

ROI Payback Period

5.9 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in St. Paul

$206,976

Lifetime earnings premium ($302,400) minus total education cost ($95,424)

Student Loan Payoff for Foreign Languages & Literatures in St. Paul

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$95,424

Monthly Payment$1,084

Total Interest$34,598

% of Monthly Income24%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$95,424

Monthly Payment$1,867

Total Interest$16,601

Interest Savings$17,998

Colleges in St. Paul for Foreign Languages & Literatures

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 Foreign Languages & Literatures in St. Paul

St. Paul offers opportunities in Publishing, Non-profits, Education for Foreign Languages & Literatures graduates. National top employers in this field include:

State DepartmentUNTranslation ServicesTech CompaniesSchools

Key St. Paul Hiring Sectors for Humanities

Publishing

Non-profits

Education

Media companies

Government

Common Foreign Languages & Literatures Job Titles

TranslatorInterpreterForeign Service OfficerLanguage Teacher

Foreign Languages & Literatures in Nearby Minnesota Cities

Minneapolis, MN

$49K starting · COL 97

15 colleges

Saint Paul, MN

$51K starting · COL 101.5

11 colleges

Rochester, MN

$53K starting · COL 105

8 colleges

Duluth, MN

$50K starting · COL 100

5 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 Humanities Majors in St. Paul

Chinese Studies

$59K starting · 4 yr ROI

Linguistics

$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI

Philosophy

$48K starting · 6.5 yr ROI

English

$45K starting · 7 yr ROI

History

$48K starting · 7.5 yr ROI

Classical Studies

$49K starting · 6 yr ROI

Classics

$54K starting · 8 yr ROI

Africana Studies

$45K starting · 5 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Foreign Languages & Literatures 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 Foreign Languages & Literatures 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 Foreign Languages & Literatures 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 — Foreign Languages & Literatures 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 Foreign Languages & Literatures 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:

📋 Federal Aid (FAFSA)

Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):

🏛️ State Grants (Minnesota)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — Minnesota programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "minnesota higher education commission grants"

🎓 College Outcomes Data

Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:

• College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
• NCES College Navigator
• IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center

💰 Scholarship Search

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.

Foreign Languages & Literatures 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 Foreign Languages & Literatures ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in St. Paul.

Foreign Languages & Literatures Overview Colleges in St. Paul All Majors

Foreign Languages & Literatures Degree in St. Paul, MN — Salary & ROI 2026

Foreign Languages & Literatures in St. Paul, MN Overview

Foreign Languages & Literatures Salary in St. Paul (COL-Adjusted)

Foreign Languages & Literatures ROI Calculator for St. Paul

Student Loan Payoff for Foreign Languages & Literatures in St. Paul

Standard Plan (10 years)

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Colleges in St. Paul for Foreign Languages & Literatures

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Top Employers for Foreign Languages & Literatures in St. Paul

Key St. Paul Hiring Sectors for Humanities

Common Foreign Languages & Literatures Job Titles

Foreign Languages & Literatures in Nearby Minnesota Cities

Minneapolis, MN

Saint Paul, MN

Rochester, MN

Duluth, MN

Bloomington, MN

Brooklyn Park, MN

Plymouth, MN

Maple Grove, MN

Other Humanities Majors in St. Paul

Chinese Studies

Linguistics

Philosophy

English

History

Classical Studies

Classics

Africana Studies

Methodology & Education Data Sources

Financial Aid Resources for St. Paul Students

Foreign Languages & Literatures Degree in St. Paul — FAQ

Explore More

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Foreign Languages & Literatures Major Overview

Colleges in St. Paul

Degree ROI Calculator