St Olaf vs. Wisconsin

St Olaf College and University of Wisconsin Madison side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

St Olaf College
University of Wisconsin Madison

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Wisconsin (45.2% admitted vs 48.3%). Typical SAT 1450 vs 1390.
  • Cheaper after aid: Wisconsin. Average net price is $14,235 vs $26,756 at St Olaf.
  • Graduation: St Olaf 85% vs Wisconsin 82%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: St Olaf $53,700 vs Wisconsin $64,800 (median).
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Key differences

St Olaf College University of Wisconsin Madison
Acceptance rate
Wisconsin more selective
St Olaf48.3%
Wisconsin45.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Wisconsin higher
St Olaf1300-1470
Wisconsin1380-1520
Average net price
Wisconsin $12,521 less
St Olaf$26,756
Wisconsin$14,235
In-state tuition
Wisconsin $48,157 less
St Olaf$59,760
Wisconsin$11,603
Out-of-state tuition
Wisconsin $17,657 less
St Olaf$59,760
Wisconsin$42,103
Graduation rate
St Olaf +3 pts
St Olaf85%
Wisconsin82%
Median earnings (10 years)
Wisconsin +$11,100
St Olaf$53,700
Wisconsin$64,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Wisconsin 65,894
  • Admitted
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Wisconsin 29,782
  • Acceptance rate
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Wisconsin 45.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Wisconsin 28.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Wisconsin 1450
  • Typical ACT score
  • St Olaf 30
  • Wisconsin 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Wisconsin 3.88
  • Typical high school grades
  • St Olaf A-
  • Wisconsin A
  • Admissions standards
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Wisconsin Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • St Olaf Low
  • Wisconsin Low
  • SAT range
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • Wisconsin 1380-1520
  • ACT range
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Wisconsin 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Wisconsin Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Wisconsin $11,603
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Wisconsin $42,103
  • Room & board
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Wisconsin $14,124
  • Average net price
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Wisconsin $14,235
  • Average grant aid
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • Wisconsin $17,741
  • % receiving grant aid
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Wisconsin 35%
  • Graduation rate
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Wisconsin 82%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Wisconsin $64,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Wisconsin 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Wisconsin $22,250
  • Median loan payment
  • St Olaf $279
  • Wisconsin $230
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Wisconsin 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Wisconsin
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Wisconsin Madison, WI
  • Setting
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Wisconsin Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Wisconsin 51,044
  • Type
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • Wisconsin Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • St Olaf #143
  • Wisconsin #109

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (51,044 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 Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
  • St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 3.5% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($13,630 vs. $14,124).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 41.9% higher at St Olaf than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $17,657 more per year; $59,760 vs. $42,103).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 154.2% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($45,098 vs. $17,741).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Wisconsin than at St Olaf (31 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both St Olaf and Wisconsin.
  • Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Wisconsin average a 3.88 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at St Olaf (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($230 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wisconsin students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 84%).

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

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