Political Science at St Olaf College
Northfield, MN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Political Science and Government
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
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science 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
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,250
9.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,865
113% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
Political Science 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
What does a 32/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Political Science at St Olaf College?
At 32/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Political Science programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Political Science 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 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 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 →