St Olaf vs. Fordham

Comparable Facts

Compare St Olaf College in Northfield, MN with Fordham University in Bronx, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fordham University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Fordham University is in Bronx, NY (Large City setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Fordham University 14:1.

St Olaf vs. Fordham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or Fordham? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at St Olaf College than Fordham ($26,756 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 43.4% lower than at Fordham University ($13,630 vs. $24,090).
• Fordham University is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $5,155 more per year; $64,915.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at Fordham than at St Olaf College (about $5,155 more per year; $64,915.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Fordham University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 25.3% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($45,098 vs. $35,988).

St Olaf vs. Fordham Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St Olaf or Fordham? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Fordham and St Olaf.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fordham University (1400) is 10 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming Fordham students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; Fordham University 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; Fordham University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Fordham - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Fordham (3.67).
• Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

St Olaf vs. Fordham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and Fordham? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• St Olaf College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Fordham University's (78%).
• Graduates from Fordham University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,200 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fordham University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fordham graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.