Geography Degree in Minneapolis, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Geography degree analysis for Minneapolis, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Minneapolis
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Geography in Minneapolis, MN Overview
Minneapolis, Minnesota (pop. 429,954) has 15 colleges offering Geography programs. The local cost of living index of 97 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $805/month. Geography enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in GIS and Cartography. The adjusted starting salary in Minneapolis is approximately $48,500.
Category
Social Sciences
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%
Geography Salary in Minneapolis (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Minneapolis's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Geography salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $85,000 senior level.Minneapolis adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Geography ROI Calculator for Minneapolis
Estimate your return on investment for a Geography 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
$14,550
vs HS diploma in Minneapolis
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Minneapolis
$229,356
Lifetime earnings premium ($339,500) minus total education cost ($110,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Geography in Minneapolis
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Minneapolis for Geography
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 Geography in Minneapolis
Minneapolis offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Geography graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Minneapolis Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Geography Job Titles
Geography in Nearby Minnesota Cities
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
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 Social Sciences Majors in Minneapolis
International Relations
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$47K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$49K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$49K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$43K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$43K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Geography 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 Geography ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Minneapolis.