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St Olaf College

Northfield, MN·Private nonprofit·3,093 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.

48%
Accept
3,093
Students
$23,874
Net Price
84%
Grad Rate
$57,300
Earnings
10 yr
$26,000
Debt

About This School

St Olaf College is a private nonprofit institution located in Northfield, Minnesota with approximately 3,093 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 48% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $23,874 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
Religious Affiliation
Evangelical Free Church of America
Avg Faculty Salary
$9,218

Popular Programs

Social Sciences17%
Biological Sciences13%
Visual & Performing Arts10%
Psychology9%
Computer Science4%
Health Professions4%
Education3%

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

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1380
Reading 75th %ile740
Math 75th %ile730

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite31

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$59,760
Out-of-State Tuition
$59,760
Avg Net Price
$23,874
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$10,404
$30–48k$11,342
$48–75k$12,584
$75–110k$20,367
$110k+$33,166

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants21%
Median debt at graduation$26,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
84%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
92%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$57,300
after enrollment
Median Debt
$26,000
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$45,600
Female graduates$37,700

Gap: 17% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$26,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$41,500
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$57,300
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.2x

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/Latino10%
Asian5%
Two or more races5%
International11%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (3,093 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.
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