St Olaf vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

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

University of St Thomas is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (9,410 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); University of St Thomas is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; University of St Thomas 14:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 8.9% lower than at University of St Thomas ($13,630 vs. $14,969).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at St Olaf than at University of St Thomas (about $5,362 more per year; $59,760 vs. $54,398).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of St Thomas (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 26.7% larger than aid received by University of St Thomas students ($45,098 vs. $35,587).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at St Olaf than at University of St Thomas (30 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both St Olaf and University of St Thomas.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at St Olaf average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at University of St Thomas (3.63).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 20.8% at University of St Thomas.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of St Thomas graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of St Thomas graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of St Thomas students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 80%).

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