Graphic Design Degree in St. Paul, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for St. Paul, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$78K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.8 yrs
in St. Paul
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in St. Paul, MN Overview
St. Paul, Minnesota (pop. 308,096) has 20 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $843/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in St. Paul is approximately $51,840.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
20
Public Tuition
$10,448/yr
Private Tuition
$52,990/yr
Room & Board
$13,408/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,005/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
70%
Graphic Design Salary in St. Paul (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for St. Paul's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.St. Paul adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for St. Paul
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local St. Paul tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,448 | Private avg: $52,990
St. Paul avg aid: $15,005/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$95,424
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,040
vs HS diploma in St. Paul
ROI Payback Period
6.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in St. Paul
$314,976
Lifetime earnings premium ($410,400) minus total education cost ($95,424)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in St. Paul
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in St. Paul for Graphic Design
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 Graphic Design in St. Paul
St. Paul offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key St. Paul Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$47K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
Saint Paul, MN
$49K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
Rochester, MN
$50K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$48K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$48K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$47K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$52K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$52K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in St. Paul
UX Design
$54K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$63K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$54K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$54K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$54K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$54K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design 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 Graphic Design ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in St. Paul.