Sustainability Studies Degree in Saint Paul, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Sustainability Studies degree analysis for Saint Paul, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$69K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.2 yrs
in Saint Paul
Cost of Living
101.5
index (100 = avg)
Sustainability Studies in Saint Paul, MN Overview
Saint Paul, Minnesota (pop. 311,527) has 11 colleges offering Sustainability Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 101.5 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $795/month. Sustainability Studies has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Environmental Policy and Lifecycle Analysis skills. The adjusted starting salary in Saint Paul is approximately $50,750.
Category
Social Sciences
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%
Sustainability Studies 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 Sustainability Studies salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $85,000 senior level.Saint Paul adjustment factor: 1.01x based on the local cost of living index.
Sustainability Studies ROI Calculator for Saint Paul
Estimate your return on investment for a Sustainability Studies 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
$15,225
vs HS diploma in Saint Paul
ROI Payback Period
7.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Saint Paul
$235,616
Lifetime earnings premium ($345,100) minus total education cost ($109,484)
Student Loan Payoff for Sustainability Studies in Saint Paul
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Saint Paul for Sustainability Studies
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 Sustainability Studies in Saint Paul
Saint Paul offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sustainability Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Saint Paul 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
St. Paul, MN
$54K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$53K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$50K starting · COL 100
5 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 Saint Paul
International Relations
$51K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$51K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$51K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$45K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$51K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$45K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies 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 Sustainability Studies ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Saint Paul.