Northwestern vs. St Olaf

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

Northwestern University
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northwestern (7.7% admitted vs 48.3%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $26,830 at Northwestern vs $26,756 at St Olaf. Northwestern in-state tuition is about $8,562 more per year.
  • Graduation: Northwestern 94% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern $89,800 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern University St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
Northwestern more selective
Northwestern7.7%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northwestern higher
Northwestern1510-1570
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
About even
Northwestern$26,830
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
St Olaf $8,562 less
Northwestern$68,322
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
St Olaf $8,562 less
Northwestern$68,322
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
Northwestern +9 pts
Northwestern94%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Northwestern +$36,100
Northwestern$89,800
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern 49,474
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern 3,806
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern 7.7%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern 55.3%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern 1540
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern 34
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern 3.92
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern A
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern Elite
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern Extreme
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern 1510-1570
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern 33-35
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern Jan 1, 2027
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern $68,322
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern $68,322
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern $21,126
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern $26,830
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern $64,429
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern 53%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern 94%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern $89,800
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern 87%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern $19,378
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern $200
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern 6:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Communication (14%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern Evanston, IL
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Northwestern Small City
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern 23,856
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • Northwestern Private 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern #15
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 35.5% lower than at Northwestern University ($13,630 vs. $21,126).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.3% higher at Northwestern than at St Olaf College (about $8,562 more per year; $68,322 vs. $59,760).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Northwestern University (100% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 42.9% larger than aid received by St Olaf College students ($64,429 vs. $45,098).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Northwestern than at St Olaf (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Northwestern and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northwestern average a 3.92 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at St Olaf (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $7,622 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($19,378 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($200 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 87%).

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

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