Brandeis University vs. St Olaf

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

Brandeis University
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Brandeis University (40.5% admitted vs 48.3%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: St Olaf. Average net price is $26,756 vs $43,550 at Brandeis University.
  • Graduation: Brandeis University 91% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Brandeis University $66,700 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Brandeis University St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
Brandeis University more selective
Brandeis University40.5%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Brandeis University higher
Brandeis University1390-1520
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
St Olaf $16,794 less
Brandeis University$43,550
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
St Olaf $8,320 less
Brandeis University$68,080
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
St Olaf $8,320 less
Brandeis University$68,080
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
Brandeis University +6 pts
Brandeis University91%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Brandeis University +$13,000
Brandeis University$66,700
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Brandeis University and St Olaf with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Brandeis University Check my chances at St Olaf
  • Applied
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brandeis University 32
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Brandeis University A-
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Brandeis University Low
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • Brandeis University 1390-1520
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • Brandeis University 31-34
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Brandeis University
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Brandeis University 91%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Brandeis University $66,700
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Brandeis University 82%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Brandeis University $27,000
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Brandeis University $279
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Brandeis University 10:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Brandeis University
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Brandeis University #91
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

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

Brandeis University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (5,205 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Brandeis University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Brandeis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Brandeis 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 31.7% lower than at Brandeis University ($13,630 vs. $19,944).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Brandeis University than at St Olaf College (about $8,320 more per year; $68,080 vs. $59,760).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Brandeis University (100% vs. 62%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 5.3% larger than aid received by Brandeis University students ($45,098 vs. $42,841).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Brandeis University than at St Olaf (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Brandeis University and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Brandeis University average a 3.84 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at St Olaf (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, St Olaf College and Brandeis University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, St Olaf College and Brandeis University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brandeis University students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 82%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Brandeis University
St Olaf College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges