Nursing Degree in Saint Paul, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Saint Paul, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$69K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$83K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.3 yrs
in Saint Paul
Cost of Living
101.5
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Saint Paul, MN Overview
Saint Paul, Minnesota (pop. 311,527) has 11 colleges offering Nursing programs. The local cost of living index of 101.5 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $795/month. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Saint Paul is approximately $69,020.
Category
Healthcare
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%
Nursing 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 Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Saint Paul adjustment factor: 1.01x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Saint Paul
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing 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
$33,495
vs HS diploma in Saint Paul
ROI Payback Period
3.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Saint Paul
$601,016
Lifetime earnings premium ($710,500) minus total education cost ($109,484)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Saint Paul
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Saint Paul for Nursing
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 Nursing in Saint Paul
Saint Paul offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Saint Paul Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Nursing in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$66K starting · COL 97
15 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 Saint Paul
Pharmacy
$51K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$51K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$51K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$51K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$51K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$51K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$51K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$51K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Nursing 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 Nursing 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 Nursing 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 — Nursing 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 Nursing 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.
Nursing 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 Nursing ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Saint Paul.