Saint Paul, Minnesota Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Saint Paul, Minnesota shows: median public in-state tuition $44,226 (+702.4% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $62,435 (+14.9% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 92.4% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $21,500 (+60.1% vs U.S.) 28,385 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 11 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 28,385 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $44,226 (+702.4% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $62,435 (+14.9% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 92.4% (+4.4 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $20,744 (+108.1% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $21,500 (+60.1% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $17,500
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 64.7%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 81.6%
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Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Saint Paul, Minnesota—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Minnesota and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Saint Paul vs Minnesota & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul, Minnesota | $44,226 | $20,744 | $21,500 | 64.7% | 28,385 |
| Minnesota (state median) | $6,249 | $13,322 | $14,746 | 57.5% | 229,048 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Saint Paul, Minnesota vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul, Minnesota | $62,435 | 92.4% | 81.6% | 3.2% | — | 81.4% | 0.35 |
| Minnesota (state median) | $58,680 | 93.4% | 79.5% | 3.5% | — | 82.1% | 0.38 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Minnesota (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul, Minnesota | $44,226 | $20,744 | $21,500 | 64.7% | 28,385 | $62,435 | 92.4% |
| Minneapolis | $17,214 | $21,109 | $19,500 | 66.1% | 71,164 | $43,937 | 89.4% |
| Mankato | $11,490 | $19,644 | $21,106 | 54.4% | 12,372 | $51,516 | 93.6% |
| Duluth | $14,610 | $18,743 | $20,000 | 67.6% | 11,572 | $64,275 | 95.0% |
| Duluth | $14,610 | $18,743 | $20,000 | 67.6% | 11,572 | $64,275 | 95.0% |
| Saint Cloud | $8,184 | $10,946 | $12,000 | 40.3% | 8,400 | $55,813 | 93.8% |
| Winona | $10,576 | $16,140 | $21,500 | 61.5% | 7,605 | $58,351 | 95.2% |
| Bloomington | $11,490 | $29,093 | $12,000 | 36.0% | 7,580 | N/A | N/A |
| Bloomington | $11,490 | $29,093 | $12,000 | 36.0% | 7,580 | N/A | N/A |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
Outcomes by sector in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 7 | $61,106 | 92.4% | 82.9% | 2.9% | — | 85.3% |
Top 10 colleges in Saint Paul, Minnesota by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 87.1%, Macalester College
Macalester College
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 76.4%, University of St Thomas
University of St Thomas
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 71.4%, Bethel University
Bethel University
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Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 68.1%, University of Northwestern-St Paul
University of Northwestern-St Paul
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Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 61.3%, St Catherine University
St Catherine University
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Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 60.5%, Hamline University
Hamline University
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Rank 7, Graduation Rate, 45.9%, Concordia University-Saint Paul
Concordia University-Saint Paul
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Rank 8, Graduation Rate, 43.6%, Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University
Top 10 colleges in Saint Paul, Minnesota by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 95.3%, University of St Thomas
University of St Thomas
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 94.3%, Hamline University
Hamline University
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 93.1%, St Catherine University
St Catherine University
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 92.4%, Concordia University-Saint Paul
Concordia University-Saint Paul
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 92.3%, Bethel University
Bethel University
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Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 91.0%, University of Northwestern-St Paul
University of Northwestern-St Paul
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Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 90.5%, Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University
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Rank 8, Employment Outcome, 80.2%, Macalester College
Macalester College
Top 10 most selective colleges in Saint Paul, Minnesota (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 28.5%, Macalester College
Macalester College
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 78.9%, Concordia University-Saint Paul
Concordia University-Saint Paul
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 85.4%, University of St Thomas
University of St Thomas
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Rank 4, Admission Rate, 87.6%, Hamline University
Hamline University
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Rank 5, Admission Rate, 87.8%, Bethel University
Bethel University
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Rank 6, Admission Rate, 91.8%, St Catherine University
St Catherine University
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Rank 7, Admission Rate, 93.5%, University of Northwestern-St Paul
University of Northwestern-St Paul
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Rank 8, Admission Rate, 98.7%, Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University
Top 10 colleges in Saint Paul, Minnesota by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $81,964, Macalester College
Macalester College
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $78,978, University of St Thomas
University of St Thomas
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $77,421, Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $76,084, St Catherine University
St Catherine University
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Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $76,000, Bethel University
Bethel University
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Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $75,121, University of Northwestern-St Paul
University of Northwestern-St Paul
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Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $73,235, Concordia University-Saint Paul
Concordia University-Saint Paul
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Rank 8, Entry-Level Earnings, $51,761, Hamline University
Hamline University
Top 10 colleges in Saint Paul, Minnesota by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $109,457, Macalester College
Macalester College
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $108,187, University of St Thomas
University of St Thomas
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $105,577, Concordia University-Saint Paul
Concordia University-Saint Paul
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $101,195, Bethel University
Bethel University
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Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $92,342, Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University
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Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $87,821, St Catherine University
St Catherine University
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Rank 7, Early-Career Earnings, $78,661, University of Northwestern-St Paul
University of Northwestern-St Paul
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Rank 8, Early-Career Earnings, $72,945, Hamline University
Hamline University
Top 10 colleges in Saint Paul, Minnesota by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $62,412, University of St Thomas
University of St Thomas
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $55,145, Bethel University
Bethel University
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $54,828, Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $52,795, St Catherine University
St Catherine University
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $50,646, Concordia University-Saint Paul
Concordia University-Saint Paul
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Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $47,544, University of Northwestern-St Paul
University of Northwestern-St Paul
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Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $47,139, Hamline University
Hamline University
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Rank 8, Mid-Career Earnings, $46,244, Macalester College
Macalester College
Top 10 colleges in Saint Paul, Minnesota by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $70,906, University of St Thomas
University of St Thomas
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $61,932, Bethel University
Bethel University
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $59,836, Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $57,610, St Catherine University
St Catherine University
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $57,106, Macalester College
Macalester College
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Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $56,160, Concordia University-Saint Paul
Concordia University-Saint Paul
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Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $55,414, Hamline University
Hamline University
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Rank 8, 8-Yr Earnings, $50,059, University of Northwestern-St Paul
University of Northwestern-St Paul
Top 10 colleges in Saint Paul, Minnesota by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $73,739, University of St Thomas
University of St Thomas
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $64,705, Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $63,878, Macalester College
Macalester College
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $63,764, Bethel University
Bethel University
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $61,106, Hamline University
Hamline University
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Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $59,871, Concordia University-Saint Paul
Concordia University-Saint Paul
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Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $59,282, St Catherine University
St Catherine University
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Rank 8, 10-Yr Earnings, $50,755, University of Northwestern-St Paul
University of Northwestern-St Paul
Top 10 colleges in Saint Paul, Minnesota by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $203,066, Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $193,414, University of St Thomas
University of St Thomas
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $190,266, Concordia University-Saint Paul
Concordia University-Saint Paul
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $175,520, St Catherine University
St Catherine University
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $166,270, Hamline University
Hamline University
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $160,032, Bethel University
Bethel University
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $129,495, Macalester College
Macalester College
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Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $121,866, University of Northwestern-St Paul
University of Northwestern-St Paul
Top 10 most affordable colleges in Saint Paul, Minnesota (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $16,863, Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University
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Rank 2, Net Price, $18,462, Concordia University-Saint Paul
Concordia University-Saint Paul
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Rank 3, Net Price, $19,764, St Catherine University
St Catherine University
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Rank 4, Net Price, $20,744, Hamline University
Hamline University
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Rank 5, Net Price, $27,705, University of Northwestern-St Paul
University of Northwestern-St Paul
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Rank 6, Net Price, $28,556, Bethel University
Bethel University
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Rank 7, Net Price, $29,155, University of St Thomas
University of St Thomas
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Rank 8, Net Price, $32,149, Macalester College
Macalester College
Top 10 colleges in Saint Paul, Minnesota by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 92.3%, Macalester College
Macalester College
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 88.4%, University of St Thomas
University of St Thomas
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 85.7%, Bethel University
Bethel University
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Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 82.9%, University of Northwestern-St Paul
University of Northwestern-St Paul
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Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 80.3%, St Catherine University
St Catherine University
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Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 78.2%, Hamline University
Hamline University
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Rank 7, First-Year Retention, 67.5%, Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University
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Rank 8, First-Year Retention, 67.4%, Concordia University-Saint Paul
Concordia University-Saint Paul
In-state tuition: Saint Paul, Minnesota vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Saint Paul, Minnesota median in-state tuition is $44,226, +702.4% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Saint Paul, Minnesota vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Saint Paul, Minnesota is $21,500 (+60.1% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $17,500.
Median earnings (10 years out): Saint Paul, Minnesota vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Saint Paul, Minnesota center around $62,435 (+14.9% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Saint Paul, Minnesota vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 92.4% at the median Saint Paul, Minnesota campus (+4.4 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Saint Paul, Minnesota median public in-state tuition is $44,226, about +702.4% vs the national median. Versus the Plains region, tuition is +610.5%.
Median graduate debt is $21,500 (+60.1% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Saint Paul, Minnesota are $62,435, about +14.9% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).
The median campus reports 92.4% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (+4.4 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 81.6% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 3.2% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 81.4% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include University of St Thomas (95.3%), Hamline University (94.3%), St Catherine University (93.1%), Concordia University-Saint Paul (92.4%), Bethel University (92.3%), University of Northwestern-St Paul (91.0%), Metropolitan State University (90.5%), Macalester College (80.2%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Saint Paul, Minnesota, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $61,106 (7 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Saint Paul, Minnesota is 64.7% (national institution average about 50.3%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in Saint Paul?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 11 campuses in Saint Paul, Minnesota with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Saint Paul?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Saint Paul is $44,226 and median net price is $20,744. For Minnesota overall, medians are $6,249 and $13,322; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in Saint Paul?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Saint Paul is $62,435 vs $58,680 for Minnesota and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for Saint Paul colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Saint Paul is $21,500 vs $14,746 for Minnesota and $13,432 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Saint Paul?
EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include Macalester College (graduation) and University of St Thomas (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Saint Paul?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 11 campuses in Saint Paul, Minnesota, 8 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (2), Baptist (1), Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (1).
Sources & related
- Minnesota college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON