Miami vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Miami is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (19,852 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Miami is located in Coral Gables, FL (Large Suburban setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• University of Miami 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 Miami 11:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Miami vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Miami or St Olaf? 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 Miami ($26,756 vs. $45,397).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 42.7% lower than at University of Miami ($13,630 vs. $23,790).
• University of Miami is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $2,856 more per year; $62,616.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Miami than at St Olaf College (about $2,856 more per year; $62,616.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of Miami (100% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 10% larger than aid received by University of Miami students ($45,098 vs. $40,992).

Miami vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Miami (1400) is 10 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming Miami students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Miami 1320/1480; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Miami 30/33; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Miami - Required; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Miami Jan 1, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Miami students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Miami (18.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.3% at Miami vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Miami vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• St Olaf College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Miami's (78%).
• Graduates from University of Miami earn a median of about $16,500 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Miami graduates have a $7,154 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($19,846 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Miami graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($205 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Miami students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 75%)

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.