Saint Paul, Minnesota Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in Saint Paul, Minnesota: median public in-state tuition $44,226 (+702.4% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $62,435 (+14.8% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 92.4% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $21,500 (+62.0% 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 (+14.8% 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 (+62.0% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $16,750
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 64.7%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 81.6%
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Overview
Colleges and universities in Saint Paul serve students across Minnesota with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 11 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 28,385 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $44,226. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Saint Paul, 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 | $14,750 | 58.0% | 228,926 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
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 | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 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 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
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 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 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, $214,656, Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $200,264, University of St Thomas
University of St Thomas
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $185,786, Concordia University-Saint Paul
Concordia University-Saint Paul
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $184,516, St Catherine University
St Catherine University
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $169,476, Hamline University
Hamline University
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $159,448, Bethel University
Bethel University
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $118,650, Macalester College
Macalester College
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Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $109,042, University of Northwestern-St Paul
University of Northwestern-St Paul
Top 8 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 8 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 (+62.0% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $16,750.
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 (+14.8% 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 (+62.0% above the U.S. median of $13,271). 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 +14.8% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
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 88.0% (+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 76.4%—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%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Saint Paul?
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?
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 $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Saint Paul?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Saint Paul is $62,435 vs $58,680 for Minnesota and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Saint Paul colleges?
Median completer debt in Saint Paul is $21,500 vs $14,750 for Minnesota and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Saint Paul?
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?
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