AU vs. St Olaf

American University and St Olaf College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

American University
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: St Olaf (48.3% admitted vs 62%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: St Olaf. Average net price is $26,756 vs $39,676 at AU.
  • Graduation: AU 77% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $64,800 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

American University St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
St Olaf more selective
AU62%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St Olaf higher
AU1280-1460
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
St Olaf $12,920 less
AU$39,676
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
AU $989 less
AU$58,771
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
AU $989 less
AU$58,771
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
St Olaf +8 pts
AU77%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
AU +$11,100
AU$64,800
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 62%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 15.6%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Very High
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • AU 1280-1460
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • AU 29-32
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $58,771
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $58,771
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • AU $17,982
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • AU $39,676
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $36,349
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 67%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 77%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 80%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $24,250
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $250
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #94
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

American University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 24.2% lower than at American University ($13,630 vs. $17,982).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at St Olaf than at American University (about $989 more per year; $59,760 vs. $58,771).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at American University (100% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 24.1% larger than aid received by American University students ($45,098 vs. $36,349).

Admissions details

  • Incoming AU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 30) as students at St Olaf (30).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at AU average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at St Olaf (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($250 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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