St Olaf College
St. Olaf College is a 4-year institution founded in 1874 by Norwegian Lutheran Immigrants. Today, St. Olaf maintains its affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on its 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, often called “The Hill.” The college features majors, concentrations, and programs in five areas of study and a popular study abroad program, which nearly three-fourths of the student body utilizes. St. Olaf is home to the Flaten Art Museum, which offers study and research opportunities campus-wide, as well as The Institute for Freedom & Community, a place to “explor[e] diverse ideas about politics, markets, and society.”
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Private
- Not for Profit
- Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Coed
Need Aware
This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision Acceptance is binding so student must attend college if accepted. | November 1 | |
| Early Action Acceptance is not binding, but student will receive admissions decision earlier. | November 1 | |
| Fall Regular Decision | January 15 | May 1 |
| Other | January 8 |
Admitted Student Stats
39%
Submitting ACT
16%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 29
Average SAT Composite: 1335
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Bachelor's
Total Number of Students
2,988
Total Number of Undergrads
2,988
Classroom Sizes
0
100
81%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
86%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
12:1
US National: 21:1Tuition, Cost & Aid
Key Financial Stats
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $54,650 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $54,650 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $12,450 |
| Books and Supplies | $1000 |
Aid & Grants
0
100
96%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
19%
Average Aid Per Year
$35,042
19%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$1,969
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$32,645
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
53%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,638
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$21,000
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$222
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Student Organizations
207
Size of Town
Suburb or town
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
No
Housing
0
100
94%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Lion
School Colors
black and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Minnesota Intercollegiate Ath Conf
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Top 5 Cities
Minneapolis
Chicago
New York
San Francisco
Washington
Employed
6 mos. after graduation
68%
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$57,300
What Students Are Saying
St. Olaf College has excellent academics, wonderful performing and fine arts programs, a gorgeous campus, one of the best cafeterias in the USA with nutritious and local food, a new environmentally sound science building, beautiful art and dance building, and a state-of-the-art athletic building with a climbing wall. More than that, St. Olaf College is a true community and one ends up with life-long friends and mentors. A focus on ethics and making the world a better place permeates each class, and St. Olaf College is also highly-ranked in study abroad programs as well as the number of students who volunteer afterward in organizations such as the Peace Corps.
Andrea from Lenexa, KS
St. Olaf College is a small liberal arts college in the rural town of Northfield, Minnesota. It has a Norwegian, Lutheran heritage that is seen throughout campus, from our accordion club to our Limestone buildings. In addition to its esteemed academics and beautiful campus, the cafeteria food is fantastic.
Mid-Western Student
St. Olaf is a fantastic, small school with a great community. Options are endless here, and it is so true that a Liberal Arts education really does prepare you on a much deeper level than your average university or college. I've learned a lot already, and I'm only 1 semester in to my 4 year career here; if you're interested, I highly suggest this place, a great fit for all types of people!
Robert from Ferndale, WA
St. Olaf College is a gem. Musicality and class transcends throughout, as it embraces a strong diverse community, with rich traditions that make St. Olaf a magical Harry-Potter-like place to enjoy studying. Christmas Fest sets St. Olaf apart from any school in the world, where people come from all over the country (compelled by the pride of being an Ole) come to reunite with the Norwegian culture by wearing ugly sweaters for a week as well as eat the traditional Norwegian food, such as Lutefisk.
Erin from Elmhurst, IL
St. Olaf is a great learning community. The people you meet are amazing. The food is also the best.
Laurel from New Haven, CT
The Saint Olaf campus is beautiful, welcoming and friendly, and although Saint Olaf has a stigma of hosting purely blonde-haired, blue-eyed, middle-class students we are actually in fact quite diverse, and becoming more so as time passes. The resources provided for students are almost endless, and professors are incredibly helpful and caring of their students. Classes are challenging and students are encouraged to speak their minds, hold their own opinions, and challenge themselves and others.
Hannah
St. Olaf is everything I could have asked for. It is academically challenging, has great profs, there is an abundance of things to do each and every day, and the food is always delicious! I have met some amazing people while being here and would not trade being a student at this college for the world.
Ava from Wisconsin
St. Olaf is an incredible school with professors and staff who genuinely get to know the student body. You will not eat in a better cafeteria anywhere! Come find yourself as an Ole and join this incredible community.
Josh from Beaverton, OR
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