St Olaf vs. Oberlin

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

St Olaf College
Oberlin College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Oberlin (34.2% admitted vs 48.3%). Typical SAT 1440 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: St Olaf. Average net price is $26,756 vs $51,624 at Oberlin.
  • Graduation: St Olaf 85% vs Oberlin 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: St Olaf $53,700 vs Oberlin $43,900 (median).
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Key differences

St Olaf College Oberlin College
Acceptance rate
Oberlin more selective
St Olaf48.3%
Oberlin34.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Oberlin higher
St Olaf1300-1470
Oberlin1360-1520
Average net price
St Olaf $24,868 less
St Olaf$26,756
Oberlin$51,624
In-state tuition
St Olaf $7,606 less
St Olaf$59,760
Oberlin$67,366
Out-of-state tuition
St Olaf $7,606 less
St Olaf$59,760
Oberlin$67,366
Graduation rate
Oberlin +3 pts
St Olaf85%
Oberlin88%
Median earnings (10 years)
St Olaf +$9,800
St Olaf$53,700
Oberlin$43,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Oberlin 10,536
  • Admitted
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Oberlin 3,601
  • Acceptance rate
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Oberlin 34.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Oberlin 19.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Oberlin 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • St Olaf 30
  • Oberlin 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Oberlin 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • St Olaf A-
  • Oberlin A-
  • Admissions standards
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Oberlin Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • St Olaf Low
  • Oberlin High
  • SAT range
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • Oberlin 1360-1520
  • ACT range
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Oberlin 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Oberlin Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Oberlin Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Oberlin $67,366
  • Room & board
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Oberlin $19,510
  • Average net price
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Oberlin $51,624
  • Average grant aid
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • Oberlin $35,780
  • % receiving grant aid
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Oberlin 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Oberlin 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Oberlin $43,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Oberlin 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Oberlin $26,579
  • Median loan payment
  • St Olaf $279
  • Oberlin $274
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Oberlin 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Oberlin
    • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Oberlin Oberlin, OH
  • Setting
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Oberlin Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Oberlin 2,909
  • Type
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • Oberlin Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • St Olaf #143
  • Oberlin #153

Comparable Facts

Compare St Olaf College in Northfield, MN with Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

St Olaf College is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 2,909 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 30.1% lower than at Oberlin College ($13,630 vs. $19,510).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at Oberlin than at St Olaf College (about $7,606 more per year; $67,366 vs. $59,760).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Oberlin College (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 26% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($45,098 vs. $35,780).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Oberlin than at St Olaf (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both St Olaf and Oberlin.
  • Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at St Olaf average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Oberlin (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Oberlin College graduates have a $421 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($26,579 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Oberlin graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($274 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 82%).

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

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