Bethel University vs. St Olaf

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

Bethel University
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: St Olaf (48.3% admitted vs 87.8%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: St Olaf. Average net price is $26,756 vs $31,738 at Bethel University.
  • Graduation: Bethel University 73% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bethel University $50,100 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

Bethel University St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
St Olaf more selective
Bethel University87.8%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St Olaf higher
Bethel University1190-1300
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
St Olaf $4,982 less
Bethel University$31,738
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
Bethel University $15,534 less
Bethel University$44,226
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
Bethel University $15,534 less
Bethel University$44,226
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
St Olaf +12 pts
Bethel University73%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
St Olaf +$3,600
Bethel University$50,100
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Bethel University 1,754
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • Bethel University 1,540
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bethel University 87.8%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bethel University 26.9%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bethel University 1250
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bethel University 25
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bethel University 3.6
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bethel University A-
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Bethel University Challenging
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Bethel University
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • Bethel University 1190-1300
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • Bethel University 22-28
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Bethel University Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bethel University May 1, 2027
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bethel University $44,226
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bethel University $44,226
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • Bethel University $12,170
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • Bethel University $31,738
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • Bethel University $26,886
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bethel University 100%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bethel University 73%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bethel University $50,100
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bethel University 80%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bethel University $24,400
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Bethel University $252
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bethel University 14:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bethel University
    • Business (24%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • Bethel University Saint Paul, MN
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Bethel University Large Suburban
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Bethel University 3,603
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • Bethel University Private 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bethel University #387
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

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

Bethel University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (3,603 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bethel University is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethel University 14:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 10.7% lower than at St Olaf College ($12,170 vs. $13,630).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 35.1% higher at St Olaf than at Bethel University (about $15,534 more per year; $59,760 vs. $44,226).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Bethel University as at St Olaf College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 67.7% larger than aid received by Bethel University students ($45,098 vs. $26,886).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at St Olaf than at Bethel University (30 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bethel University and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bethel University May 1, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at St Olaf average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at Bethel University (3.6).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.9% at Bethel University vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethel University graduates have a $2,600 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($24,400 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Bethel University graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($252 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel University 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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