St Olaf vs. Seattle U

Comparable Facts

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

Seattle University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (7,189 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Seattle University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Seattle University 10:1.

St Olaf vs. Seattle U Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or Seattle U? 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 Seattle U ($26,756 vs. $36,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 13.2% lower than at Seattle University ($13,630 vs. $15,702).
• St Olaf College is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Seattle U (about $3,039 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $56,721.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at St Olaf than at Seattle University (about $3,039 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $56,721.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College as at Seattle University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 27.6% larger than aid received by Seattle University students ($45,098 vs. $35,351).

St Olaf vs. Seattle U Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St Olaf or Seattle U? 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 Seattle U and St Olaf.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 70 points higher than at Seattle U (1320).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at Seattle U).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; Seattle University 1200/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; Seattle University 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Seattle U - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Seattle U Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Seattle U (3.62).
• Seattle U has a higher acceptance rate (76.9%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 13.6% at Seattle U.

St Olaf vs. Seattle U Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and Seattle U? 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 Seattle University's (71%).
• Graduates from Seattle University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,400 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Seattle University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($24,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Seattle U graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($253 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Seattle U students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 75%)

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.