Chemistry at St Olaf College

Northfield, MN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $44,020/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #176 of 205 Chemistry programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $620K $613K $551K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.7x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 42

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
$24,988
6.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,522
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

St Olaf College's Chemistry graduates start at $44,020/yr — above the $41,256 national average, though not by a wide margin.

An earnings multiple of 2.7x 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 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,988 debt-to-$44,020 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #176 out of 205 programs, St Olaf College's financial outcomes for Chemistry trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $44,020 to $65,522 shows 49% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Data scientists $112,590/yr
View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Chemistry at Other Schools

Other Majors at St Olaf College

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does St Olaf College's Chemistry program score?
This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Chemistry. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Chemistry to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemistry 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 Chemistry 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 →