Dort vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

Compare Dordt University in Sioux Center, IA with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St Olaf College is larger than Dort based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 1,952 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dordt University is located in Sioux Center, IA (Remote Town setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Dordt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dordt University 14:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Dort vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dort or St Olaf? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at St Olaf College than Dort ($26,756 vs. $28,486).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dordt University are 13.6% lower than at St Olaf College ($11,770 vs. $13,630).
• St Olaf College is 61.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dort (about $22,710 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $37,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.3% higher at St Olaf than at Dordt University (about $22,710 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $37,050.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Dordt University as at St Olaf College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 93.7% larger than aid received by Dordt University students ($45,098 vs. $23,277).

Dort vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dort or St Olaf? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between St Olaf and Dort.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 190 points higher than at Dort (1200).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Dort).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dordt University 1070/1330; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dordt University 21/29; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dort - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Dort (3.65).
• Dort has a higher acceptance rate (68.5%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38% at Dort vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Dort vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dort and St Olaf? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• St Olaf College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Dordt University's (60%).
• Graduates from St Olaf College earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than Dort graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $43,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dordt University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dort graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dort students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 90%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.