St Olaf College ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
Quick answer
USACollegeData.com ROI analysis (College Scorecard data): four years at St Olaf College costs about $227,880 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $48,373 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 17 years (20-year ROI: 17%).
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$227,880
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$13,373/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
17 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
17%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, St. Olaf College graduates earn a median salary of $37,341. Five years after graduation, the median salary increases to $48,373, and after ten years, the median salary is $65,543. The median debt for graduates is $26,000.
The annual tuition cost at St. Olaf College is $56,970. 43.6% of students receive financial aid. The college has an 84.2% graduation rate and a 90.5% retention rate.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$56,970
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$48,373
Graduation Rate
84%
Receive Financial Aid
44%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | $42,177 | -37% |
| Economics | $69,672 | 204% |
| Mathematics | $72,810 | 232% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $0 | N/A |
| Political Science and Government | $54,855 | 74% |
| Music | $40,048 | -56% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $0 | N/A |
| English Language and Literature, General | $45,989 | -4% |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $0 | N/A |
| Chemistry | $57,761 | 100% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $41,239 | -45% |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $40,807 | -49% |
| Area Studies | $36,676 | -85% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $43,254 | -28% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $53,320 | 61% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $73,830 | 241% |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $0 | N/A |
| Religion/Religious Studies | $0 | N/A |
| Social Work | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.