St Olaf vs. SMU

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

St Olaf College
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: St Olaf (48.3% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: St Olaf. Average net price is $26,756 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: St Olaf 85% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: St Olaf $53,700 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

St Olaf College Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
St Olaf more selective
St Olaf48.3%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SMU higher
St Olaf1300-1470
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
St Olaf $21,423 less
St Olaf$26,756
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
St Olaf $7,280 less
St Olaf$59,760
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
St Olaf $7,280 less
St Olaf$59,760
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
St Olaf +10 pts
St Olaf85%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
SMU +$19,300
St Olaf$53,700
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at St Olaf Check my chances at SMU
  • Applied
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • St Olaf 1390
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • St Olaf 30
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • St Olaf A-
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • St Olaf Very High
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • St Olaf Low
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • St Olaf 100%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • St Olaf 85%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • St Olaf 91%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • St Olaf $279
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • St Olaf #143
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

Compare St Olaf College in Northfield, MN with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Southern Methodist University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 28.5% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($13,630 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.2% higher at SMU than at St Olaf College (about $7,280 more per year; $67,040 vs. $59,760).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Southern Methodist University (100% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 20.2% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($45,098 vs. $37,520).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at SMU than at St Olaf (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both St Olaf and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman St Olaf students have the same average high school GPA (3.68) as students at SMU (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($222 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU 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
Southern Methodist University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges