Nursing Degree in Minneapolis, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Minneapolis, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$66K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$80K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.4 yrs
in Minneapolis
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Minneapolis, MN Overview
Minneapolis, Minnesota (pop. 429,954) has 15 colleges offering Nursing programs. The local cost of living index of 97 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $805/month. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Minneapolis is approximately $65,960.
Category
Healthcare
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%
Nursing Salary in Minneapolis (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Minneapolis's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Minneapolis adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Minneapolis
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing 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
$32,010
vs HS diploma in Minneapolis
ROI Payback Period
3.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Minneapolis
$568,856
Lifetime earnings premium ($679,000) minus total education cost ($110,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Minneapolis
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Minneapolis for Nursing
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 Nursing in Minneapolis
Minneapolis offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Minneapolis Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Nursing in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Saint Paul, MN
$69K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$73K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$71K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$68K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$68K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$67K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$73K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$73K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Minneapolis
Pharmacy
$49K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$49K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$49K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$49K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$49K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$49K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$49K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$49K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nursing 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 Nursing ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Minneapolis.