Sustainability Studies Degree in Duluth, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Sustainability Studies degree analysis for Duluth, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$68K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.1 yrs
in Duluth
Cost of Living
100
index (100 = avg)
Sustainability Studies in Duluth, MN Overview
While Duluth has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Sustainability Studies students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $12,662/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Sustainability Studies has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Environmental Policy and Lifecycle Analysis skills. The adjusted starting salary in Duluth is approximately $50,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$13,872/yr
Private Tuition
$41,612/yr
Room & Board
$12,662/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,990/yr
Unemployment
3.2%
Graduation Rate
64%
Sustainability Studies Salary in Duluth (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Duluth's cost of living index of 100 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sustainability Studies salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $85,000 senior level.Duluth adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.
Sustainability Studies ROI Calculator for Duluth
Estimate your return on investment for a Sustainability Studies degree using local Duluth tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,872 | Private avg: $41,612
Duluth avg aid: $15,990/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$106,136
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,000
vs HS diploma in Duluth
ROI Payback Period
7.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Duluth
$233,864
Lifetime earnings premium ($340,000) minus total education cost ($106,136)
Student Loan Payoff for Sustainability Studies in Duluth
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Duluth for Sustainability Studies
University of Minnesota Duluth
public
$13,872/yr
$55,488 total
College of St. Scholastica
private
$41,612/yr
$166,448 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lake Superior College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Sustainability Studies in Duluth
Duluth offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sustainability Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Duluth Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sustainability Studies Job Titles
Sustainability Studies in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$49K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
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
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 Duluth
International Relations
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$48K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$50K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$44K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$44K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies Degree in Duluth — 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 Sustainability Studies ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Duluth.