Gustavus Adolphus College — College Profile

About

Gustavus Adolphus College is a premier private liberal arts college in Saint Peter, Minnesota, highly regarded for its academically rigorous programs in the natural sciences, nursing, and psychology. It stands out globally as the only institution authorized by the Nobel Foundation to host an annual Nobel Conference, a distinctive event that links cutting-edge scientific exploration with societal ethics. Life on the scenic hilltop campus is defined by a deeply collaborative and active residential culture, where students participate heavily in undergraduate research, acclaimed music ensembles, and competitive Division III athletics.

Wikipedia:Gustavus Adolphus College is a private liberal arts college in St. Peter, Minnesota, United States. It was founded in 1862 by Swedish Americans led by Eric Norelius and is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It was named for Gustavus Adolphus, the King of Sweden from 1611 to 1632. Its residential campus includes a 125-acre arboretum.

Location

Saint Peter, MN, 56082-1498 · Town campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

MSP · Minneapolis

53 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

These figures are federal data and may be out of date.

YoursEveryone

Tuition & fees$56,076

Housing & food (on campus)$11,804

Books & supplies$900

Cost of attendance$67,613

Average net price$22,900

Same price for all students

Tuition & fees$56,076

Housing & food (on campus)$11,804

Books & supplies$900

Cost of attendance$67,613

Average net price$22,900

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income · 2023-24

$0–30k

$12,015

$30–48k

$10,783

$48–75k

$13,875

$75–110k

$19,015

$110k+

$29,674

Your family's actual price → Gustavus Adolphus College net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Merit aid · 2024-25

Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.

Average award$15,051

First-years who got one135

Source: Gustavus Adolphus College's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

76%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

64%

Back for yr 2

88%

Transferred

17%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

77% graduated · 17% transferred · 6% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$51,546

10 yrs after entry$65,607

Debt

Median at graduation$26,774

Monthly payment$284

Middle 50% owe$14k–$28k

90th percentile$31,000

Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

61%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1290

ACT midpoint

Comp 24–30 · E 22–30 · M 22–29

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Essay prompts

How much essays count at Gustavus Adolphus College: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)

Source: Gustavus Adolphus College's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.

If Gustavus Adolphus College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 47%Women 53%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

12 : 1

Pell grant

21%

First-gen

15%

Family income

$78,419

Independent

Age at entry

19.0

Part-time

Race & ethnicity

White

79%

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Gymnastics
Women's
Ice Hockey
Men's · Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Softball
Women's
Swimming
Men's · Women's
Tennis
Men's · Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$51,546

After 10 yrs

$65,607

Psychology, General58

Biology, General54

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness48

Business/Commerce, General46

Communication and Media Studies32

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing32

Economics31

Natural Resources Conservation and Research29

Accounting and Related Services28

Computer Science24

English Language and Literature, General24

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics22

Political Science and Government22

Sociology17

Education, General15

History15

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$313M

Full-time faculty

93%

Faculty salary

$8,374/mo

Teaching spend

$18,862

per student

Federal loans

54%

Classification

Carnegie type

Baccalaureate — arts & sciences

Undergraduate profile