Emerson vs. St Olaf

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

Emerson College
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: St Olaf (48.3% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: St Olaf. Average net price is $26,756 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
St Olaf more selective
Emerson51.3%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St Olaf higher
Emerson1270-1420
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
St Olaf $26,676 less
Emerson$53,432
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
Emerson $2,704 less
Emerson$57,056
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $2,704 less
Emerson$57,056
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
St Olaf +4 pts
Emerson81%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
St Olaf +$4,500
Emerson$49,200
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 34.8% lower than at Emerson College ($13,630 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at St Olaf than at Emerson College (about $2,704 more per year; $59,760 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 67% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($45,098 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Emerson 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 Emerson and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at St Olaf (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson 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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