Program Analysis
St Olaf College's Biology graduates start at $36,429/yr — above the $32,219 national average, though not by a wide margin.
The financial case is thin at 2.8x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
Some AI exposure exists in Biology's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $24,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $36,429 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #532 of 822 Biology programs, St Olaf College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $66,856 show a 84% jump from the $36,429 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.