History Degree in Saint Paul, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
History degree analysis for Saint Paul, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$63K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
12 yrs
in Saint Paul
Cost of Living
101.5
index (100 = avg)
History in Saint Paul, MN Overview
Saint Paul, Minnesota (pop. 311,527) has 11 colleges offering History programs. The local cost of living index of 101.5 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $795/month. Although national enrollment in History has been declining, graduates with skills in Research and Writing remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Saint Paul is approximately $44,660.
Category
Humanities
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,171/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,478/yr
Unemployment
2.9%
Graduation Rate
47%
History Salary in Saint Paul (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Saint Paul's cost of living index of 101.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average History salary: $44,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Saint Paul adjustment factor: 1.01x based on the local cost of living index.
History ROI Calculator for Saint Paul
Estimate your return on investment for a History degree using local Saint Paul tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Saint Paul avg aid: $13,478/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$109,484
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,135
vs HS diploma in Saint Paul
ROI Payback Period
12 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Saint Paul
$93,516
Lifetime earnings premium ($203,000) minus total education cost ($109,484)
Student Loan Payoff for History in Saint Paul
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Saint Paul for History
Saint Paul State University
public
$13,811/yr
$55,244 total
University of Saint Paul
public
$13,351/yr
$53,404 total
Saint Paul Institute of Technology
private
$43,387/yr
$173,548 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Saint Paul Community College
$5,443/yr
Minnesota Technical College - Saint Paul
$5,156/yr
Top Employers for History in Saint Paul
Saint Paul offers opportunities in Publishing, Non-profits, Education for History graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Saint Paul Hiring Sectors for Humanities
Publishing
Non-profits
Education
Media companies
Government
Common History Job Titles
History in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$43K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$48K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$46K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$44K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$44K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$43K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$47K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$47K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Humanities Majors in Saint Paul
Chinese Studies
$56K starting · 4 yr ROI
Linguistics
$51K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Philosophy
$45K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Foreign Languages & Literatures
$51K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
English
$43K starting · 7 yr ROI
Classical Studies
$46K starting · 6 yr ROI
Classics
$51K starting · 8 yr ROI
Africana Studies
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate History degree outcomes in Saint 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 History 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 Saint 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 History 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 — History 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 History 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 Saint 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:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Minnesota programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "minnesota higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
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.
History Degree in Saint 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 History ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Saint Paul.