Home › St Olaf College › Political Science and Government

Political Science and Government at St Olaf College

Northfield, MN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,953/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #486 of 521 Political Science and Government programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science and Government graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $664K $644K $577K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.8x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 31

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
$24,250
9.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,865
113% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

St Olaf College's Political Science and Government graduates start at $30,953/yr, trailing the $36,684 national average by 16%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

At 2.8x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Political Science and Government career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $24,250 against $30,953/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #486 ranking among 521 Political Science and Government programs places St Olaf College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $30,953-to-$65,865 earnings arc over five years reflects a 113% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About St Olaf College

St Olaf College's 52% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a smaller student body of 3,049 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

Political scientists $139,380/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 521 schools offering Political Science and Government →

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($72,618) Tufts University ($67,713) University of Pennsylvania ($65,473) Princeton University ($63,317) University of Maryland Global Campus ($62,476) Harvard University ($61,543) Amherst College ($61,125) Columbia University in the City of New York ($61,077)

Other Majors at St Olaf College

Computer Science ($82,278) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($76,078) Mathematics ($58,825) Economics ($56,238) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($47,807) Social Work ($45,146) Chemistry ($44,020) Biology, General ($36,429)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Political Science and Government trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

What does a 32/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science and Government at St Olaf College?
At 32/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science and Government programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science and Government at St Olaf College?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is St Olaf College a good choice for Political Science and Government despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If St Olaf College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Political Science and Government at St Olaf College?
The 60% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $227,880. At a net cost of $91,008, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →