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St Olaf College

Northfield, MN·Private nonprofit·3,049 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $57,300 within 10 years; strong 84% graduation rate.

52%
Accept
3,049
Students
$22,752
Net Price
84%
Grad Rate
$57,300
Earnings
10 yr
$23,250
Debt

About This School

St Olaf College is a private nonprofit institution located in Northfield, Minnesota with approximately 3,049 undergraduate students enrolled. St Olaf College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 52%. The average net price after financial aid is $22,752 per year. The graduation rate is 84%, and the typical graduate earns $57,300 within 10 years of enrollment.

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.

This is a strong option for students who want a tight-knit liberal arts experience — a 91% freshman retention rate signals that students who arrive tend to stick around and find their fit. At $22,752/year average net price and a median debt of $23,250, the cost is manageable, though the $57,300 median earnings at 10 years out is modest and worth factoring in if you're majoring in something outside high-demand fields. Worth considering if you're drawn to a values-grounded, residential college community in a small-town setting and have a clear sense of how a liberal arts degree fits your goals.

Founded
1874
Setting
Distant town

Popular Programs

Social Sciences17%
Visual & Performing Arts12%
Biological Sciences11%
Physical Sciences8%
Psychology8%
Mathematics6%
English4%
Health Professions3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Ernest LawrenceSiri HustvedtRobert BlyBrett HullBrianna BrownEinar HaugenAl QuieAndrew VolsteadErik PaulsenKarl Rolvaag

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1373
Reading 75th %ile740
Math 75th %ile730

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite31

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$56,970
Out-of-State Tuition
$56,970
Avg Net Price
$22,752
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants20%
Median debt at graduation$23,250

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
84%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
91%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$57,300
after enrollment
Median Debt
$23,250
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$23,250
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$41,500
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$57,300
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

White67%
Black3%
Hispanic/Latino9%
Asian6%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (3,049 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

St Olaf College

1520 St Olaf Ave

Northfield, MN 55057-1098

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.
Trademarks

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