St Olaf College — College Profile

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

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

Source: wp.stolaf.edu

Net price by family income

$0–30k

$10,404

$30–48k

$11,342

$48–75k

$12,584

$75–110k

$20,367

$110k+

$33,166

Your family's actual price → St Olaf College net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Grants from the school

100% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $42,375

Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

84%

Within 4 yrs

77%

Back for yr 2

92%

Transferred

12%

Pell students: 78.0% · others: 85.5%

8 yrs after starting

85% graduated · 13% transferred · 2% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings

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

Admit rate

48%

Test policy

Test optional

SAT average

1380

R 660–740 · M 640–730

ACT midpoint

Comp 28–32 · E 28–35 · M 25–30

SAT middle 50%: 1300–1470

40080012001600

Admitted students

Admit rate: men 42.6% · women 52.7%

Yield: 26.8% of admitted students enroll

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

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list

Financial aid & net cost estimates

Deep dives on any school

Scholarship search

Get your college list →See a sample college plan first

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

Age at entry

19.0

Part-time

Where first-years come from

In state (MN)

44.1%

Out of state

42.4%

International

13.5%

Most out-of-state first-years from: IL 50 · WI 43 · TX 39 · CA 31 · CO 29

Race & ethnicity

White

67%

Hispanic

10%

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

11%

Varsity sports

NCAA Division III with football

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

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?

Personalized reach / match / safety list

Financial aid & net cost estimates

Deep dives on any school

Scholarship search

Get your college list →See a sample college plan first