Program Analysis
Graduates earn $76,078/yr, roughly in line with the $75,273 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
At 3.4x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.
The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $76,078 far exceeding the $27,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #774 ranking among 990 Nursing programs places St Olaf College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
The limited growth from $76,078 to $81,743 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.