Iowa vs. St Olaf

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

University of Iowa
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: St Olaf (48.3% admitted vs 83.6%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1230.
  • Cheaper after aid: Iowa. Average net price is $21,765 vs $26,756 at St Olaf.
  • Graduation: Iowa 71% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Iowa $59,800 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

University of Iowa St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
St Olaf more selective
Iowa83.6%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St Olaf higher
Iowa1130-1330
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
Iowa $4,991 less
Iowa$21,765
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
Iowa $48,477 less
Iowa$11,283
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
Iowa $26,389 less
Iowa$33,371
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
St Olaf +14 pts
Iowa71%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Iowa +$6,100
Iowa$59,800
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Iowa 27,770
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • Iowa 23,222
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • Iowa 83.6%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Iowa 22.4%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Iowa 1230
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Iowa 24
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Iowa 3.81
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Iowa A-
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Iowa Challenging
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Iowa
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • Iowa 1130-1330
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • Iowa 21-28
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Iowa Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Iowa May 1, 2027
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Iowa $11,283
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Iowa $33,371
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • Iowa $12,920
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • Iowa $21,765
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • Iowa $9,865
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Iowa 76%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Iowa 71%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Iowa $59,800
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Iowa 70%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Iowa $21,616
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Iowa $223
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Iowa 16:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Iowa
    • Business (18%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • Iowa Iowa City, IA
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Iowa Small City
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Iowa 30,779
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • Iowa Public 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Iowa #233
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 5.2% lower than at St Olaf College ($12,920 vs. $13,630).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 79.1% higher at St Olaf than at University of Iowa (about $26,389 more per year; $59,760 vs. $33,371).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 357.2% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($45,098 vs. $9,865).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at St Olaf than at Iowa (30 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Iowa and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Iowa average a 3.81 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at St Olaf (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($223 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 70%).

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

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