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Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, MN·Private nonprofit·1,930 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $58,900 within 10 years; strong 76% graduation rate.

62%
Accept
1,930
Students
$26,895
Net Price
76%
Grad Rate
$58,900
Earnings
10 yr
$23,250
Debt

About This School

Gustavus Adolphus College is a private nonprofit institution located in Saint Peter, Minnesota with approximately 1,930 undergraduate students enrolled. Gustavus Adolphus College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 62%. The average net price after financial aid is $26,895 per year. The graduation rate is 76%, and the typical graduate earns $58,900 within 10 years of enrollment.

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.

This is a strong option for students who want a tight-knit liberal arts experience — the beautiful 125-acre arboretum campus, Lutheran heritage, and small enrollment of about 1,930 students all point to a genuinely personal college environment. The financial picture is reasonably encouraging, with median debt of $23,250 and median earnings of $58,900 a decade out, though the 76% graduation rate means roughly 1 in 4 students doesn't finish, which is worth asking the admissions office about directly.

Founded
1862
Setting
Fringe town

Popular Programs

Social Sciences12%
Business & Marketing11%
Biological Sciences10%
Psychology8%
Visual & Performing Arts5%
Health Professions5%
Communications5%
Physical Sciences5%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Steve ZahnPeter KrauseKurt EllingPatsy O'Connell ShermanJack BergmanJames M. McPherson

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1320

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite29

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$54,310
Out-of-State Tuition
$54,310
Avg Net Price
$26,895
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants21%
Median debt at graduation$23,250

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
76%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
84%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$58,900
after enrollment
Median Debt
$23,250
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$23,250
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$43,400
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$58,900
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.5x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White80%
Black2%
Hispanic/Latino6%
Asian2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,930 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Gustavus Adolphus College

800 West College Avenue

Saint Peter, MN 56082-1498

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Minnesota

Browse all Minnesota schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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