St. Cloud State University vs. St Olaf

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

Saint Cloud State University
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: St Olaf (48.3% admitted vs 94.8%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1140.
  • Cheaper after aid: St. Cloud State University. Average net price is $14,735 vs $26,756 at St Olaf.
  • Graduation: St. Cloud State University 48% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: St. Cloud State University $46,700 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

Saint Cloud State University St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
St Olaf more selective
St. Cloud State University94.8%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St Olaf higher
St. Cloud State University1025-1260
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
St. Cloud State University $12,021 less
St. Cloud State University$14,735
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
St. Cloud State University $49,515 less
St. Cloud State University$10,245
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
St. Cloud State University $49,515 less
St. Cloud State University$10,245
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
St Olaf +37 pts
St. Cloud State University48%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
St Olaf +$7,000
St. Cloud State University$46,700
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • St. Cloud State University 5,976
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • St. Cloud State University 5,665
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • St. Cloud State University 94.8%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • St. Cloud State University 16.6%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • St. Cloud State University 1140
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • St. Cloud State University 21
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • St. Cloud State University 3.4
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • St. Cloud State University B+
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • St. Cloud State University Moderate
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • St. Cloud State University
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • St. Cloud State University 1025-1260
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • St. Cloud State University 17-25
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • St. Cloud State University Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • St. Cloud State University Aug 15, 2027
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • St. Cloud State University $10,245
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • St. Cloud State University $10,245
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • St. Cloud State University $10,596
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • St. Cloud State University $14,735
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • St. Cloud State University $7,036
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • St. Cloud State University 84%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • St. Cloud State University 48%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • St. Cloud State University $46,700
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • St. Cloud State University 67%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • St. Cloud State University $22,500
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • St. Cloud State University $232
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • St. Cloud State University 18:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • St. Cloud State University
    • Business (27%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • St. Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • St. Cloud State University Small City
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • St. Cloud State University 10,732
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • St. Cloud State University Public 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • St. Cloud State University #704
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Cloud State University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (10,732 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, MN (Small City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Saint Cloud 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: Saint Cloud State University 18:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Cloud State University are 22.3% lower than at St Olaf College ($10,596 vs. $13,630).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 483.3% higher at St Olaf than at Saint Cloud State University (about $49,515 more per year; $59,760 vs. $10,245).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Saint Cloud State University (100% vs. 84%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 541% larger than aid received by Saint Cloud State University students ($45,098 vs. $7,036).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 9 points higher at St Olaf than at St. Cloud State University (30 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both St. Cloud State University and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: St. Cloud State University Aug 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at St Olaf average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.28 higher than at St. Cloud State University (3.4).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.6% at St. Cloud State University vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Cloud State University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, St. Cloud State University graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($232 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Cloud State University students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 67%).

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

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