St Olaf vs. Dakota State

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

St Olaf College
Dakota State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: St Olaf (48.3% admitted vs 88%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1320.
  • Cheaper after aid: Dakota State. Average net price is $20,438 vs $26,756 at St Olaf.
  • Graduation: St Olaf 85% vs Dakota State 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: St Olaf $53,700 vs Dakota State $42,200 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

St Olaf College Dakota State University
Acceptance rate
St Olaf more selective
St Olaf48.3%
Dakota State88%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St Olaf higher
St Olaf1300-1470
Dakota State1190-1440
Average net price
Dakota State $6,318 less
St Olaf$26,756
Dakota State$20,438
In-state tuition
Dakota State $50,106 less
St Olaf$59,760
Dakota State$9,654
Out-of-state tuition
Dakota State $47,004 less
St Olaf$59,760
Dakota State$12,756
Graduation rate
St Olaf +51 pts
St Olaf85%
Dakota State34%
Median earnings (10 years)
St Olaf +$11,500
St Olaf$53,700
Dakota State$42,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at St Olaf Check my chances at Dakota State
  • Applied
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Dakota State 2,418
  • Admitted
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Dakota State 2,129
  • Acceptance rate
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Dakota State 88%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Dakota State 18%
  • Typical SAT score
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Dakota State 1320
  • Typical ACT score
  • St Olaf 30
  • Dakota State 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Dakota State 3.33
  • Typical high school grades
  • St Olaf A-
  • Dakota State B+
  • Admissions standards
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Dakota State Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • St Olaf Low
  • Dakota State
  • SAT range
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • Dakota State 1190-1440
  • ACT range
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Dakota State 20-27
  • Submit test scores
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Dakota State Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Dakota State
  • Tuition (in state)
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Dakota State $9,654
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Dakota State $12,756
  • Room & board
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Dakota State $9,742
  • Average net price
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Dakota State $20,438
  • Average grant aid
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • Dakota State $5,371
  • % receiving grant aid
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Dakota State 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Dakota State 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Dakota State $42,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Dakota State 67%
  • Median student loan debt
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Dakota State $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • St Olaf $279
  • Dakota State $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Dakota State 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Dakota State
    • Computer and Information Sciences (28%)
    • Business (25%)
    • Education (22%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)
  • Location
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Dakota State Madison, SD
  • Setting
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Dakota State Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Dakota State 3,774
  • Type
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • Dakota State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • St Olaf #143
  • Dakota State #718

Comparable Facts

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

Dakota State University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (3,774 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 28.5% lower than at St Olaf College ($9,742 vs. $13,630).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 368.5% higher at St Olaf than at Dakota State University (about $47,004 more per year; $59,760 vs. $12,756).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Dakota State University (100% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 739.7% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($45,098 vs. $5,371).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at St Olaf than at Dakota State (30 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both St Olaf and Dakota State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at St Olaf average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.35 higher than at Dakota State (3.33).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota State University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Dakota State graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State 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.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

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

Frequently compared to these colleges