St. Olaf College

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

Northfield, MN

$51,450

Avg tuition

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Discover programs by subject area to find the best college for your future.

Search All Programs

Work here? Claim your school's profile

About St. Olaf College

School Type: Private

Status: Non-profit

Accreditation: Regional

Religious Affiliation: Christian, Evangelical Lutheran Church  While the student experience is largely unaffected at most schools with religious affiliations, some schools place more of an emphasis on religion. Learn how religious affiliations may impact students' experience.

St. Olaf College is a small private college located on a rural campus in Northfield, Minnesota. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,953, and admissions are selective, with an acceptance rate of 51%. The college offers 48 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 85%, and a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. Tuition and fees for students are $51,450.

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

This school has a high acceptance rate.

This school accepts students at a higher rate than other schools. High acceptance schools welcome 51-100% of all applicants.

51% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

Students remain enrolled in this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This typically means students are happy with their school selection and wish to continue their education there.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

91% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

Students graduate from this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This is typically an indication of a school's quality and means most students finish their degree in a timely manner.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

85% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores Considered (not required)

High school transcript Required

High school rank Recommended

Letter of recommendation Required

High school GPA Required

Open admission No

Completion of college prep program Required

Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Required

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment Yes

Credit for qualified life experience* Implied no

Advance placement (AP) credits Yes

*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

SAT & ACT

Students who attend this school typically have higher standardized test scores than students at other schools.

While test scores can be an important aspect of college applications, schools determine admission based on several factors, and these test scores are only a suggested range.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

ACT 25th-75th Percentile 25-32

SAT 25th-75th Percentile 1150-1390

Learning Environment

Student Body Stats

This school has a student body of fewer than 5,000 students.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

3k

Students enrolled

92%

Online student enrollment

12:1

Student to faculty ratio

Ways Students Can Learn

On-campus Check Bold
International Online classes are available for students around the world. Check Bold

Demographics

White

68%

Non-U.S. Citizen

10%

Hispanic

8%

Asian

7%

Two or more races

4%

Black

3%

Unknown

1%

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%

Female student population

59%

Socio-economic diversity

20% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

Explore Similar Schools

Luther College

Decorah, IA · Private · Non-profit

View School

Macalester College

Saint Paul, MN · Private · Non-profit

#8 Ranked in The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State

View School

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, MN · Private · Non-profit

View School

Hope College

Holland, MI · Private · Non-profit

View School

Roanoke College

Salem, VA · Private · Non-profit

View School

Ohio Wesleyan University

Delaware, OH · Private · Non-profit

#10 Ranked in Best Genetics Programs

View School

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, IA · Private · Non-profit

View School

Allegheny College

Meadville, PA · Private · Non-profit

View School

Hanover College

Hanover, IN · Private · Non-profit

View School

Concordia College at Moorhead

Moorhead, MN · Private · Non-profit

View School

Financial Breakdown

Students Receiving Aid

Federal Grant Aid

77%

State Grant Aid

17%

Institution Grant Aid

99%

Pell Grant

20%

Average Aid Awarded

Federal Grant Aid $1,969
State Grant Aid $5,682
Institution Grant Aid $32,645
Pell Grant Aid $4,683

Financial Outlook

$23k

Average student debt after graduation

$42k

Average salary 6 years after starting school

Varsity Athletic Teams

NCAA Division III with football

of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.

Participation

Men Women
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Ice Hockey
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Track Field Outdoor
  • Volleyball
  • Baseball
  • Basketball

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.

1

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies

BA

MA

DOC

2

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies

BA

MA

DOC

3

Biological And Biomedical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

4

Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

5

Education

BA

MA

DOC

6

English Language And Literature/Letters

BA

MA

DOC

7

Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics

BA

MA

DOC

8

Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

9

Health Professions And Related Programs

BA

MA

DOC

10

History

BA

MA

DOC

11

History

BA

MA

DOC

12

Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities

BA

MA

DOC

13

Mathematics And Statistics

BA

MA

DOC

14

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

BA

MA

DOC

15

Natural Resources And Conservation

BA

MA

DOC

16

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies

BA

MA

DOC

17

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology

BA

MA

DOC

18

Philosophy And Religious Studies

BA

MA

DOC

19

Physical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

20

Psychology

BA

MA

DOC

21

Public Administration And Social Service Professions

BA

MA

DOC

22

Social Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

23

Theology And Religious Vocations

BA

MA

DOC

24

Visual And Performing Arts

BA

MA

DOC