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St Olaf College

St Olaf College

Northfield, MN · Town · 3,093 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$23,874
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
84%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$65,543
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
48%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

St. Olaf College is a private liberal arts institution celebrated for its world-class music ensembles—headlined by the internationally renowned St. Olaf Choir—alongside standout academic programs in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and nursing. The college is particularly distinguished by its top national ranking for undergraduate study abroad participation and its flexible 4-1-4 academic calendar, which features a month-long January Term (J-Term) dedicated to intensive off-campus study, research, or travel. Perched atop scenic "the Hill" in the historic college town of Northfield, Minnesota, St. Olaf offers a tight-knit, nearly fully residential campus culture driven by rich choral traditions, robust student engagement, and a shared dedication to global citizenship.

Wikipedia:St. Olaf College is a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, United States. It was founded in 1874 by a group of Norwegian-American pastors and farmers led by Pastor Bernt Julius Muus. The college is named after the King and the Patron Saint Olaf II of Norway and is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Location
Northfield, MN, 55057-1098 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MSP · Minneapolis
29 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$59,760
Housing & food (on campus)$13,630
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$85,300
Average net price$23,874
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$59,760
Housing & food (on campus)$13,630
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$85,300
Average net price$23,874
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: wp.stolaf.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
St Olaf College’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$65,700
Fees$500
Housing$7,150
Food$7,850
Books & supplies$1,000
Personal expenses$900
Transportation$2,200
Total published by the school$85,300
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$10,404
$30–48k
$11,342
$48–75k
$12,584
$75–110k
$20,367
$110k+
$33,166
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
84%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
77%
Back for yr 2
92%
Transferred
12%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
85% graduated · 13% transferred · 2% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$48,373
10 yrs after entry$65,543
Debt
Median at graduation$26,000
Monthly payment$276
Middle 50% owe$12.6k–$27k
90th percentile$29,000
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
48%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1380
R 660–740 · M 640–730
ACT midpoint
31
Comp 28–32 · E 28–35 · M 25–30
SAT middle 50%: 1300–1470
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If St Olaf 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 42%Women 58%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
11 : 1
Pell grant
21%
First-gen
13%
Family income
$90,436
Independent
2%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
1%
Race & ethnicity
White
67%
Hispanic
10%
Black
3%
Asian
5%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
11%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Ice Hockey
    Men's · Women's
  • Other Sports
    Men's · Women's
  • Skiing
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    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
$48,373
After 10 yrs
$65,543
Biology, General91
Mathematics75
Economics75
Research and Experimental Psychology69
Political Science and Government52
Chemistry46
Natural Resources Conservation and Research45
Music43
English Language and Literature, General34
Computer Science33
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics33
Fine and Studio Arts33
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies28
Physics27
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness26
Sociology and Anthropology24
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$804M
Full-time faculty
76%
Faculty salary
$9,218/mo
Teaching spend
$19,698
per student
Federal loans
42%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if St Olaf College is the right fit for you?

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Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
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