Analysis
St. Olaf's computer science graduates start strong at $82,278, placing them slightly ahead of flagship U of M and well above the state median of $72,865. That's impressive for a liberal arts college with a 52% admission rate. The debt load of $23,875 translates to a manageable 0.29 ratio—about three and a half months of first-year salary—making this one of the more affordable paths into tech among Minnesota's private colleges.
The catch? This data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly from these medians. Small programs can swing wildly year-to-year depending on where just a handful of students land jobs. That said, the 11% earnings growth to $91,084 by year four suggests graduates are progressing well in their careers, not just landing lucky first jobs. At 60th percentile among Minnesota CS programs, St. Olaf sits comfortably in the top half of the state.
For families weighing St. Olaf against larger tech-focused universities, the numbers suggest the liberal arts approach doesn't handicap computer science graduates in the job market. The debt-to-earnings ratio beats many flagship programs, and starting salaries rival much larger departments. Just remember these figures represent a small cohort—your child's experience will depend heavily on their individual preparation and job search.
Where St Olaf College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer science bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How St Olaf College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Olaf College | $82,278 | $91,084 | +11% |
| Carleton College | $88,132 | $116,048 | +32% |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | $82,861 | $93,994 | +13% |
| Saint Johns University | $69,964 | $93,368 | +33% |
| Metropolitan State University | $72,865 | $91,366 | +25% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota
Computer Science bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (25 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 St Olaf CollegeNorthfield | $56,970 | $82,278 | $91,084 | $23,875 | 0.29 |
 Carleton CollegeNorthfield | $65,457 | $88,132 | $116,048 | $18,233 | 0.21 |
 University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis | $16,488 | $82,861 | $93,994 | $19,500 | 0.24 |
 University of St ThomasSaint Paul | $52,284 | $73,301 | $89,771 | $23,704 | 0.32 |
 University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth | $14,318 | $73,224 | $83,553 | $23,375 | 0.32 |
 Concordia University-Saint PaulSaint Paul | $25,000 | $72,875 | — | $29,180 | 0.40 |
| National Median | — | $70,950 | — | $23,374 | 0.33 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer science graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Information Security Analysts
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Computer Programmers
Web Developers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At St Olaf College, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 27 graduates with reported earnings and 30 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.