St Olaf vs. Lawrence

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

St Olaf College
Lawrence University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: St Olaf (48.3% admitted vs 63.9%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1310.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $26,756 at St Olaf vs $27,161 at Lawrence. St Olaf in-state tuition is about $2,778 more per year.
  • Graduation: St Olaf 85% vs Lawrence 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: St Olaf $53,700 vs Lawrence $45,600 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

St Olaf College Lawrence University
Acceptance rate
St Olaf more selective
St Olaf48.3%
Lawrence63.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St Olaf higher
St Olaf1300-1470
Lawrence1200-1420
Average net price
About even
St Olaf$26,756
Lawrence$27,161
In-state tuition
Lawrence $2,778 less
St Olaf$59,760
Lawrence$56,982
Out-of-state tuition
Lawrence $2,778 less
St Olaf$59,760
Lawrence$56,982
Graduation rate
St Olaf +8 pts
St Olaf85%
Lawrence77%
Median earnings (10 years)
St Olaf +$8,100
St Olaf$53,700
Lawrence$45,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at St Olaf Check my chances at Lawrence
  • Applied
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Lawrence 3,270
  • Admitted
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Lawrence 2,091
  • Acceptance rate
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Lawrence 63.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Lawrence 16.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Lawrence 1310
  • Typical ACT score
  • St Olaf 30
  • Lawrence 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Lawrence 3.52
  • Typical high school grades
  • St Olaf A-
  • Lawrence A-
  • Admissions standards
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Lawrence Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • St Olaf Low
  • Lawrence Low
  • SAT range
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • Lawrence 1200-1420
  • ACT range
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Lawrence 24-31
  • Submit test scores
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Lawrence Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Lawrence Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Lawrence $56,982
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Lawrence $56,982
  • Room & board
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Lawrence $12,165
  • Average net price
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Lawrence $27,161
  • Average grant aid
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • Lawrence $42,688
  • % receiving grant aid
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Lawrence 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Lawrence 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Lawrence $45,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Lawrence 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Lawrence $27,350
  • Median loan payment
  • St Olaf $279
  • Lawrence $282
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Lawrence 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Lawrence
    • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Location
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Lawrence Appleton, WI
  • Setting
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Lawrence Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Lawrence 1,417
  • Type
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • Lawrence Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • St Olaf #143
  • Lawrence #202

Comparable Facts

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

St Olaf College is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 1,417 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
  • St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 10.7% lower than at St Olaf College ($12,165 vs. $13,630).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at St Olaf than at Lawrence University (about $2,778 more per year; $59,760 vs. $56,982).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College as at Lawrence University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 5.6% larger than aid received by Lawrence University students ($45,098 vs. $42,688).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at St Olaf than at Lawrence (30 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both St Olaf and Lawrence.
  • Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at St Olaf average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at Lawrence (3.52).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, St Olaf College graduates have a $350 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,350).
  • Among borrowers, St Olaf graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($279 vs. $282).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 76%).

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
Lawrence University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges