St Olaf vs. Truman State

Comparable Facts

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

Truman State University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (3,664 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Truman State University is in Kirksville, MO (Remote Town setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Truman State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Truman State University 12:1.

St Olaf vs. Truman State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or Truman State? 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 Truman State University than St Olaf ($13,602 vs. $26,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Truman State University are 18.4% lower than at St Olaf College ($11,128 vs. $13,630).
• St Olaf College is 507.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Truman State (about $49,922 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $9,838.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 221.9% higher at St Olaf than at Truman State University (about $41,194 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $18,566.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College as at Truman State University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 270.1% larger than aid received by Truman State University students ($45,098 vs. $12,186).

St Olaf vs. Truman State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St Olaf or Truman State? 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 Truman State and St Olaf.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 120 points higher than at Truman State (1270).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Truman State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; Truman State University 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; Truman State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Truman State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Truman State students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• Truman State has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 25.9% at Truman State.

St Olaf vs. Truman State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and Truman State? 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 Truman State University's (69%).
• Graduates from St Olaf College earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Truman State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Truman State University graduates have a $4,344 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($22,656 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Truman State graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Truman State students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 76%)

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.