SCU vs. St Olaf

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

Santa Clara University
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SCU (48% admitted vs 48.3%). Typical SAT 1420 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: St Olaf. Average net price is $26,756 vs $53,883 at SCU.
  • Graduation: SCU 85% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SCU $81,900 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

Santa Clara University St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
SCU more selective
SCU48%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SCU higher
SCU1350-1490
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
St Olaf $27,127 less
SCU$53,883
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
St Olaf $1,533 less
SCU$61,293
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
St Olaf $1,533 less
SCU$61,293
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
SCU +0 pts
SCU85%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
SCU +$28,200
SCU$81,900
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SCU 18,970
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • SCU 9,105
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • SCU 48%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SCU 17.7%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SCU 1420
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • SCU 32
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • SCU 3.67
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • SCU A-
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • SCU Exceptional
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • SCU Low
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • SCU 1350-1490
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • SCU 31-33
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • SCU Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SCU Jan 7, 2027
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SCU $61,293
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SCU $61,293
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • SCU $19,893
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • SCU $53,883
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • SCU $28,368
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SCU 71%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • SCU 85%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SCU $81,900
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • SCU 84%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SCU $21,500
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • SCU $222
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SCU 11:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • SCU
    • Business (33%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • SCU Santa Clara, CA
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • SCU Midsize City
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • SCU 9,728
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • SCU Private 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SCU #61
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

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

Santa Clara University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (9,728 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Clara University 11:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 31.5% lower than at Santa Clara University ($13,630 vs. $19,893).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at SCU than at St Olaf College (about $1,533 more per year; $61,293 vs. $59,760).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Santa Clara University (100% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 59% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($45,098 vs. $28,368).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at SCU than at St Olaf (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SCU and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SCU Jan 7, 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 SCU (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at SCU vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Clara University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, SCU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($222 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCU students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 84%).

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

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