Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 84.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 83.5%
- Retention Rate
- 90.5%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $65,543
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 89.0%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $276/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $76,460 | $23,125 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $60,623 | $27,000 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $52,107 | $26,671 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $46,478 | $23,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $42,123 | $27,000 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $39,729 | $27,000 |
| Physics. | Bachelor | $39,009 | $23,762 |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor | $38,829 | $24,988 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $24,250 |
| Philosophy. | Bachelor | $35,416 | $23,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $35,060 | |
| Sociology and Anthropology. | Bachelor | $31,708 | $24,644 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $24,000 |
| Area Studies. | Bachelor | $29,141 | $21,000 |
| Music. | Bachelor | $28,236 | $23,500 |
Outcomes Overview
St. Olaf graduates earn a median salary of $65,543 ten years out, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 40% with typical debt of $26,000. Monthly loan payments of $276 consume about 5% of gross income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The college's strong liberal arts foundation and well-known music program open doors to education, nonprofit work, and creative industries where Oles are particularly well-represented. An 88.99% loan repayment rate signals financial stability among alumni. With 95.5% employment and earnings that steadily climb from $37,341 in year one to over $65,000 by year ten, St. Olaf delivers a strong return on investment despite its $70,970 sticker price.