St Olaf vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester

Comparable Facts

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

St Olaf College is larger than University of Minnesota-Rochester based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 578 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); University of Minnesota Rochester is in Rochester, MN (Midsize City setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Rochester is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; University of Minnesota Rochester 13:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 2.6% lower than at University of Minnesota Rochester ($13,630 vs. $13,994).
• Out-of-state tuition is 298% higher at St Olaf than at University of Minnesota Rochester (about $44,744 more per year; $59,760 vs. $15,016).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of Minnesota Rochester (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 220.8% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Rochester students ($45,098 vs. $14,057).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at St Olaf than at University of Minnesota-Rochester (30 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both St Olaf and University of Minnesota-Rochester.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; University of Minnesota-Rochester Jul 31, 2027.
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 20.3% at University of Minnesota-Rochester.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Rochester graduates have a $6,815 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($20,185 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($208 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Minnesota-Rochester students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 74%).

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