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Northfield , MN
St. Olaf College is a private liberal arts college located in Northfield, Minnesota. Established in 1874, the college is known for its strong academic programs, beautiful campus, and vibrant community. The institution offers over 45+ majors and concentrations, ranging from humanities to natural sciences, as well as numerous study abroad opportunities and research opportunities for students.
With a commitment to academic excellence, St. Olaf College provides students with a rigorous and well-rounded education. The college's curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and global perspectives. Students benefit from small class sizes, allowing for personalized attention from dedicated faculty members who are experts in their fields. The college also prides itself on fostering a sense of community and collaboration, with various student organizations, clubs, and events that contribute to a rich campus life.
St. Olaf College boasts a picturesque 300-acre campus, featuring an expansive arboretum, impressive architecture, and state-of-the-art facilities. The college's commitment to sustainability is evident with its LEED-certified buildings and focus on renewable energy sources. Additionally, St. Olaf has a strong tradition of music and arts, with a world-renowned music program and a dedicated arts center that hosts performances and exhibitions throughout the year. Overall, St. Olaf College offers a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and artistically.
St. Olaf College is a private four-year college located in Northfield, MN. This school follows a 4-1-4 calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 48%. The freshman retention rate at St. Olaf College is 92.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 83%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. The transfer application deadline is July 1.
To find out more about what St. Olaf College has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
3,124
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$62,700
Tuition
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
83%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission improves your chances of getting admitted. Read on to find out some essential information about admission at St. Olaf College.
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 3,200 in 2025. St. Olaf College has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, St. Olaf College offers a unique educational experience.
Test Scores
11% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 29% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 48% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 47% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 5% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 58, 40 between 24-29 and 2 in the range between 18-23.
The average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 30 and the average GPA was 3.73. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into St. Olaf College; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 700 and an average SAT Math score of 680.
Deadlines
The final day for applications to St. Olaf College is January 15. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is July 1.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for St. Olaf College was 92.2%, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 83%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by getting to know more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school enrolled 3,124 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 47% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 3,124, 326 of which were foreign students. 20 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,238 male and 1,743 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 152, while the number of African American students was 97. 299 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 142 as multirace. There were also 11 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for St. Olaf College.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at St. Olaf College? Here is what you need to know.
In 2025, tuition amounted to $62,700 for all full-time domestic students. As St. Olaf College is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The approximate price of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,000.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2025, the price of room and board at St. Olaf College was $14,300 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school cost $6,820, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $6,820.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 62,700 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,300 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 78,000 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial aid for students. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid at St. Olaf College.
The most recent records show that 678 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $57,151 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
2,382 students gained some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at St. Olaf College is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 2,382. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $4,978,030, and state $2,894,491.
$28,991
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
485 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 225 full-time freshmen. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $19,734,382. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $3,543,888 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at St. Olaf College was 12:1: that means 12 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. According to the most recent information, there are 326 faculty members at this school. This number included 143 male and 183 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at St. Olaf College.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about social life at St. Olaf College.
Its campus is 300 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 201 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is Running Club, followed by Women in STEM and International Students Organization. Other popular student organizations at this school are Pickleball Club and Students for Reproductive Rights.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For students looking to explore media and communication, St. Olaf College publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
St. Olaf College offers a number of services important for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The school has electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at St. Olaf College is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at St. Olaf College.
Career Counselling
At St. Olaf College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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St. Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN.
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St. Olaf College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for St. Olaf College is 62,700 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for St. Olaf College is 48%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for St. Olaf College is 92.2%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
