DU vs. St Olaf

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

University of Denver
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: St Olaf (48.3% admitted vs 77.8%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: St Olaf. Average net price is $26,756 vs $45,451 at DU.
  • Graduation: DU 78% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: DU $63,400 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

University of Denver St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
St Olaf more selective
DU77.8%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St Olaf higher
DU1240-1410
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
St Olaf $18,695 less
DU$45,451
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
St Olaf $1,638 less
DU$61,398
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
St Olaf $1,638 less
DU$61,398
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
St Olaf +7 pts
DU78%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
DU +$9,700
DU$63,400
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • DU 18,786
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • DU 14,618
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • DU 77.8%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • DU 9.1%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • DU 1330
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • DU 30
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • DU 3.72
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • DU A-
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • DU Very High
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • DU
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • DU 1240-1410
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • DU 28-33
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • DU Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • DU Jan 15, 2027
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • DU $61,398
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • DU $61,398
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • DU $17,759
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • DU $45,451
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • DU $33,955
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • DU 99%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • DU 78%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • DU $63,400
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • DU 72%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • DU $23,699
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • DU $245
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • DU 9:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • DU
    • Business (42%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • DU Denver, CO
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • DU Large City
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • DU 12,813
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • DU Private 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • DU #86
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

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

University of Denver is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Denver 9:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 23.3% lower than at University of Denver ($13,630 vs. $17,759).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at DU than at St Olaf College (about $1,638 more per year; $61,398 vs. $59,760).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of Denver (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 32.8% larger than aid received by University of Denver students ($45,098 vs. $33,955).

Admissions details

  • Incoming DU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 30) as students at St Olaf (30).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both DU and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at DU average a 3.72 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at St Olaf (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at DU vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Denver graduates have a $3,301 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($23,699 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, DU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($245 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 72%).

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

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