Earlham vs. St Olaf

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

Earlham College
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: St Olaf (48.3% admitted vs 73.1%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1200.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $27,107 at Earlham vs $26,756 at St Olaf. St Olaf in-state tuition is about $5,830 more per year.
  • Graduation: Earlham 66% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Earlham $39,100 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

Earlham College St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
St Olaf more selective
Earlham73.1%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St Olaf higher
Earlham1110-1290
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
About even
Earlham$27,107
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
Earlham $5,830 less
Earlham$53,930
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
Earlham $5,830 less
Earlham$53,930
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
St Olaf +19 pts
Earlham66%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
St Olaf +$14,600
Earlham$39,100
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Earlham 2,075
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • Earlham 1,517
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • Earlham 73.1%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Earlham 13.9%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Earlham 1200
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Earlham 28
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Earlham 3.67
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Earlham A-
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Earlham Difficult
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Earlham Low
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • Earlham 1110-1290
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • Earlham 24-33
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Earlham Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Earlham Mar 1, 2027
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Earlham $53,930
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Earlham $53,930
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • Earlham $13,985
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • Earlham $27,107
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • Earlham $40,618
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Earlham 100%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Earlham 66%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Earlham $39,100
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Earlham 75%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Earlham $26,000
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Earlham $268
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Earlham 7:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Earlham
    • General Studies (18%)
    • Biology (17%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • Earlham Richmond, IN
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Earlham Distant Town
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Earlham 753
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • Earlham Private 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Earlham
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

Compare Earlham College in Richmond, IN with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

St Olaf College is larger than Earlham based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 753 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Earlham College is located in Richmond, IN (Distant Town setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Earlham College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Earlham College 7:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 2.5% lower than at Earlham College ($13,630 vs. $13,985).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.8% higher at St Olaf than at Earlham College (about $5,830 more per year; $59,760 vs. $53,930).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Earlham College as at St Olaf College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 11% larger than aid received by Earlham College students ($45,098 vs. $40,618).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at St Olaf than at Earlham (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Earlham and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Earlham Mar 1, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at St Olaf average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Earlham (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Earlham vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Earlham College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Earlham graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Earlham students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 75%).

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

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