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St Olaf College

Private

Northfield, MN

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St Olaf College, in Northfield, MN, is a private mid-sized school, enrolling around 3,093 students. Admissions are moderately selective here -- roughly 48% of applicants get in. Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services graduates, especially in Computer Science, report the strongest earnings here: a median of $122,912/year. On-campus housing isn't required, so many students live off campus.

Admissions

Admit rate48%
SAT range1300–1470
ACT range28–32
Undergrads3,093
Yield (admits who enroll)28%
Next deadlineNot reported

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$71,843
4-year grad rate84%
Median earnings, 10yr out$65,543

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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How St Olaf College weighs your application

From St Olaf College's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankConsidered
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresConsidered
Application essayVery important
RecommendationsConsidered
Nonacademic factors
InterviewImportant
Extracurricular activitiesImportant
Talent/abilityImportant
Character/personal qualitiesImportant
First generationConsidered
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyConsidered
Religious affiliationConsidered
Volunteer workConsidered
Work experienceConsidered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Important
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See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what St Olaf College weighs in your application

Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans42%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out89%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies$54,100/yr
Area Studies$47,677/yr
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General$62,818/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science$122,912/yr
Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$51,909/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$49,382/yr
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$53,232/yr
History
History$42,538/yr
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics$87,691/yr
Natural Resources and Conservation
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$48,137/yr
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$66,314/yr
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Religion/Religious Studies$37,335/yr
Psychology
Research and Experimental Psychology$56,282/yr
Psychology, General$53,666/yr
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Social Work$50,611/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$84,559/yr
Sociology and Anthropology$60,225/yr
Political Science and Government$57,869/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$45,023/yr
Fine and Studio Arts$44,287/yr
Music$42,439/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity2,986
Typical room charge$5,930
Typical board charge$6,520

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does St Olaf College look for in applicants?

Per St Olaf College's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates application essay, rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is St Olaf College's acceptance rate?

St Olaf College in Northfield, MN admits approximately 48% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for St Olaf College?

Admitted students at St Olaf College typically score between 1300–1470 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for St Olaf College?

Admitted students at St Olaf College typically score between 28–32 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does St Olaf College cost?

St Olaf College's total cost of attendance is reported at $71,843 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

Does St Olaf College require students to live on campus?

No -- St Olaf College doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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