St Olaf vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

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

Villanova University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (10,041 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Villanova University is in Villanova, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Villanova University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Villanova University 10:1.

St Olaf vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or Villanova? 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 St Olaf College than Villanova ($26,756 vs. $37,201).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 23% lower than at Villanova University ($13,630 vs. $17,694).
• Villanova University is 13.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $8,016 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.4% higher at Villanova than at St Olaf College (about $8,016 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Villanova University (100% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Villanova University students is 5.6% larger than aid received by St Olaf College students ($47,609 vs. $45,098).

St Olaf vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Villanova University (1450) is 60 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming Villanova students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Villanova students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Villanova (27%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

St Olaf vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and Villanova? 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).

• Villanova University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than St Olaf College's (85%).
• Graduates from Villanova University earn a median of about $31,400 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,100 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Villanova University graduates have a $503 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($26,497 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Villanova graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($273 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Villanova students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 90%)

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.