ISU vs. St Olaf

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

Iowa State University
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: St Olaf (48.3% admitted vs 88.7%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: ISU. Average net price is $17,779 vs $26,756 at St Olaf.
  • Graduation: ISU 68% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: ISU $53,700 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Iowa State University St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
St Olaf more selective
ISU88.7%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St Olaf higher
ISU1120-1360
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
ISU $8,977 less
ISU$17,779
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
ISU $48,973 less
ISU$10,787
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
ISU $30,879 less
ISU$28,881
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
St Olaf +17 pts
ISU68%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
ISU +$0
ISU$53,700
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at ISU Check my chances at St Olaf
  • Applied
  • ISU 23,095
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • ISU 20,475
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • ISU 88.7%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • ISU 28.8%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ISU 1240
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • ISU 24
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • ISU 3.7
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • ISU A-
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • ISU Challenging
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • ISU
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • ISU 1120-1360
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • ISU 21-28
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • ISU Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • ISU
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • ISU $10,787
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • ISU $28,881
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • ISU $10,808
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • ISU $17,779
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • ISU $10,791
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • ISU 77%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • ISU 68%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • ISU $53,700
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • ISU 74%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • ISU $23,868
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • ISU $246
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • ISU 18:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • ISU Ames, IA
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • ISU Small City
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • ISU 30,380
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • ISU #343
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Iowa State University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 20.7% lower than at St Olaf College ($10,808 vs. $13,630).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 106.9% higher at St Olaf than at Iowa State University (about $30,879 more per year; $59,760 vs. $28,881).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 317.9% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($45,098 vs. $10,791).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at St Olaf than at ISU (30 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both ISU and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at ISU average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at St Olaf (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $3,132 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($23,868 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($246 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 74%).

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.

Iowa State University
St Olaf College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges