Music at St Olaf College

Northfield, MN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
20 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
20
Optimistic
20
Base Case
13
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,732/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #198 of 240 Music programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Music graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $543K $538K $494K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.4x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 20 20 13

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$227,880
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$91,008
60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,500
11.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,102
107% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $24,732/yr, Music graduates from St Olaf College land near the $28,116 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

An earnings multiple of 2.4x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,500 debt-to-$24,732 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #198 out of 240 programs, St Olaf College's financial outcomes for Music trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $24,732 to $51,102 over five years (107% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About St Olaf College

St Olaf College accepts 52% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a smaller institution with 3,049 students in Northfield, MN. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $91,008 — 60% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at St Olaf College →

Top Career Paths

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
Sound engineering technicians $66,430/yr
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Music at Other Schools

Other Majors at St Olaf College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does St Olaf College's Music program score?
This program scores 20/100 — on the lower end for Music. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Music to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Music careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Music at St Olaf College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $227,880, but the average net cost is $91,008 — a 60% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →