St Olaf College's published cost of attendance is $71,843. Financial aid reshapes that figure substantially across income levels.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $71,843 |
| Tuition and Fees | $59,760 |
| Room and Board | $13,630 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$47,969 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $23,874 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $10,404 |
| $30–48k | $11,342 |
| $48–75k | $12,584 |
| $75–110k | $20,367 |
| $110k+ | $33,166 |
St Olaf College's published cost of attendance is $71,843. Financial aid reshapes that figure substantially across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $10,404; middle-income families pay around $12,584; higher-income families pay approximately $33,166. Azimuth ranks St Olaf College #1066 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. St Olaf's aid structure is need-based, with no merit component. The college meets demonstrated financial need in full for admitted students under current financial aid policies. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The aid package may include need-based scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans; the college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $40,568; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $56,323, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of St Olaf College earn median 4-year earnings of $56,323, placing St Olaf College in the 31.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $17,675 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing St Olaf College in the 7.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks St Olaf College #1132 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects St Olaf College's concentration in Social Sciences, which anchors the institution's long-term financial outcomes. Biology, General is the largest program with 111 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $62,818, performing at 1.1x the national benchmark for the field. The Economics program graduates 80 students earning median 4-year earnings of $84,559, while Mathematics delivers median 4-year earnings of $87,691 across 75 graduates. Research Psychology and Political Science round out the top programs, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $56,282 and $57,869 respectively. This program mix — anchored in Social Sciences at 18%, supplemented by Arts at 11% and other STEM fields at 5% — supports consistent outcomes across a mixed enrollment.
