St Olaf vs. Bucknell

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

St Olaf College
Bucknell University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Bucknell (28.9% admitted vs 48.3%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: St Olaf. Average net price is $26,756 vs $39,003 at Bucknell.
  • Graduation: St Olaf 85% vs Bucknell 91%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: St Olaf $53,700 vs Bucknell $76,300 (median).
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Key differences

St Olaf College Bucknell University
Acceptance rate
Bucknell more selective
St Olaf48.3%
Bucknell28.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bucknell higher
St Olaf1300-1470
Bucknell1310-1470
Average net price
St Olaf $12,247 less
St Olaf$26,756
Bucknell$39,003
In-state tuition
St Olaf $8,052 less
St Olaf$59,760
Bucknell$67,812
Out-of-state tuition
St Olaf $8,052 less
St Olaf$59,760
Bucknell$67,812
Graduation rate
Bucknell +6 pts
St Olaf85%
Bucknell91%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bucknell +$22,600
St Olaf$53,700
Bucknell$76,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Bucknell 11,377
  • Admitted
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Bucknell 3,291
  • Acceptance rate
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Bucknell 28.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Bucknell 30.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Bucknell 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • St Olaf 30
  • Bucknell 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Bucknell 3.62
  • Typical high school grades
  • St Olaf A-
  • Bucknell A-
  • Admissions standards
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Bucknell Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • St Olaf Low
  • Bucknell High
  • SAT range
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • Bucknell 1310-1470
  • ACT range
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Bucknell 30-33
  • Submit test scores
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Bucknell Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Bucknell Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Bucknell $67,812
  • Room & board
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Bucknell $16,924
  • Average net price
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Bucknell $39,003
  • Average grant aid
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • Bucknell $44,734
  • % receiving grant aid
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Bucknell 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Bucknell 91%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Bucknell $76,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Bucknell 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Bucknell $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • St Olaf $279
  • Bucknell $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Bucknell 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Bucknell
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Bucknell Lewisburg, PA
  • Setting
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Bucknell Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Bucknell 3,969
  • Type
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • Bucknell Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • St Olaf #143
  • Bucknell #71

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (3,969 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
  • St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 19.5% lower than at Bucknell University ($13,630 vs. $16,924).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.5% higher at Bucknell than at St Olaf College (about $8,052 more per year; $67,812 vs. $59,760).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Bucknell University (100% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 0.8% larger than aid received by Bucknell University students ($45,098 vs. $44,734).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Bucknell than at St Olaf (31 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both St Olaf and Bucknell.
  • Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at St Olaf average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Bucknell (3.62).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bucknell University and St Olaf graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Bucknell University and St Olaf graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bucknell students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 89%).

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

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