Northfield, MN · Private University
Is St Olaf College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$65,543
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$56,970
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$56,970
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$227,880
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.15x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
83.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$22,752
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
St Olaf College graduates earn $20,543 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at St Olaf College ranked by graduate earnings
27 graduates
24 graduates
47 graduates
78 graduates
22 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at St Olaf College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At St Olaf College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $91,084) and the lowest (East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics: $27,328) is $63,756/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $91,084 | 1.6x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $73,830 | 1.3x |
| Mathematics | $72,810 | 1.3x |
| Economics | $69,672 | 1.2x |
| Chemistry | $57,761 | 1.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $54,855 | 1.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $53,320 | 0.9x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $45,989 | 0.8x |
| Social Work(1yr data) | $45,146 | 0.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $43,254 | 0.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $43,251 | 0.8x |
| Biology, General | $42,177 | 0.7x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $41,239 | 0.7x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $40,807 | 0.7x |
| Music | $40,048 | 0.7x |
| Area Studies | $36,676 | 0.6x |
| Religion/Religious Studies(1yr data) | $36,329 | 0.6x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $35,070 | 0.6x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $32,094 | 0.6x |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsLowest(1yr data) | $27,328 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Olaf College | 1.15x | $65,543 | Average ROI |
| Gustavus Adolphus College | 1.21x | $65,607 | Average ROI |
| Lake Forest College | 1.14x | $61,825 | Average ROI |
| DePauw University | 1.24x | $70,527 | Average ROI |
| Lawrence University | 1.01x | $55,789 | Average ROI |
| Ohio Wesleyan University | 1.06x | $55,624 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
St Olaf College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $65,543 10 years after starting — $20,543 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.5 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.