At $22,752/yr net price, St Olaf College graduates earn $65,543/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $31,543/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,752 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $91,008 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $65,543/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$31,543/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 83.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,504/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,927/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,236/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,245/yr |
| $110,001+ | $32,708/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
83.5% of students at St Olaf College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
St Olaf gives you a solid financial return, though the payoff depends heavily on your major. The 83.5% graduation rate and 90.5% retention rate mean you're likely to finish, which matters because dropping out with debt is the worst outcome. Median debt sits below the amount many graduates carry, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro nearby gives you a job market within driving distance.
Your major decides everything here. Computer science graduates out-earn teacher education graduates by more than $34,000 a year while carrying $4,000 less debt. Nursing and economics land in the middle and pull steady returns given regional demand for both. Math sits lower than you might expect for a quantitative field. Teacher education pays the least and carries the most debt, so if you're heading into K-12 teaching, go in knowing the early-career math is tight against Minnesota starting salaries.
The main risk is paying private-college prices for a low-earning major. At the top income tier you pay over $32,000 a year, and a teaching or math degree may not justify that outlay for years. If you land in a lower-paying program, the return on the full sticker price is weak.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30,000 income, you pay under $10,000 a year , a strong deal for a private school. The jump is steep once you cross $110,000, where the price more than triples the lowest tier.
St Olaf is a good financial fit if you're a lower-income family or you're studying computer science, nursing, or economics. If you're a high-income family aiming at teaching or math, run the numbers hard before committing to the full price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St Olaf College worth the cost?
St Olaf graduates earn $65,543 after 10 years with median debt of $26,000, giving a reasonable debt-to-income ratio. The school's strong graduation rate of 83.5% and net price of $22,752 make it a decent value, especially for students pursuing computer science or nursing.
What are the highest paying majors at St Olaf College?
Computer science leads at $76,460 in median earnings, followed by nursing at $60,623. Economics graduates earn $52,107, while education majors start at $42,123, which may struggle to justify the debt load.
How much debt do St Olaf College students graduate with?
The median debt is $26,000, which is manageable compared to the $65,543 median salary 10 years out. Students in lower-paying fields like education should consider whether this debt level works with starting salaries around $42,000.
Does St Olaf College provide good financial aid?
The net price of $22,752 suggests decent financial aid for a private liberal arts college. However, students should compare aid packages carefully since the sticker price is much higher and aid varies significantly by family income.