Minnesota vs. St Olaf

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

University of Minnesota Twin Cities
St Olaf College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: St Olaf (48.3% admitted vs 79.7%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Minnesota. Average net price is $17,209 vs $26,756 at St Olaf.
  • Graduation: Minnesota 70% vs St Olaf 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Minnesota $58,200 vs St Olaf $53,700 (median).
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Key differences

University of Minnesota Twin Cities St Olaf College
Acceptance rate
St Olaf more selective
Minnesota79.7%
St Olaf48.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Minnesota higher
Minnesota1300-1500
St Olaf1300-1470
Average net price
Minnesota $9,547 less
Minnesota$17,209
St Olaf$26,756
In-state tuition
Minnesota $42,546 less
Minnesota$17,214
St Olaf$59,760
Out-of-state tuition
Minnesota $21,398 less
Minnesota$38,362
St Olaf$59,760
Graduation rate
St Olaf +15 pts
Minnesota70%
St Olaf85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Minnesota +$4,500
Minnesota$58,200
St Olaf$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Minnesota 41,496
  • St Olaf 6,623
  • Admitted
  • Minnesota 33,091
  • St Olaf 3,200
  • Acceptance rate
  • Minnesota 79.7%
  • St Olaf 48.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Minnesota 22.3%
  • St Olaf 26.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Minnesota 1400
  • St Olaf 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • Minnesota 28
  • St Olaf 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Minnesota 3.75
  • St Olaf 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Minnesota A-
  • St Olaf A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Minnesota Very High
  • St Olaf Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Minnesota
  • St Olaf Low
  • SAT range
  • Minnesota 1300-1500
  • St Olaf 1300-1470
  • ACT range
  • Minnesota 26-31
  • St Olaf 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Minnesota Test optional
  • St Olaf Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Minnesota Jan 1, 2027
  • St Olaf Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Minnesota $17,214
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Minnesota $38,362
  • St Olaf $59,760
  • Room & board
  • Minnesota $13,856
  • St Olaf $13,630
  • Average net price
  • Minnesota $17,209
  • St Olaf $26,756
  • Average grant aid
  • Minnesota $12,552
  • St Olaf $45,098
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Minnesota 65%
  • St Olaf 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Minnesota 70%
  • St Olaf 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Minnesota $58,200
  • St Olaf $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Minnesota 74%
  • St Olaf 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Minnesota $20,185
  • St Olaf $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Minnesota $208
  • St Olaf $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Minnesota 17:1
  • St Olaf 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Minnesota
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • St Olaf
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
    • Mathematics (8%)
  • Location
  • Minnesota Minneapolis, MN
  • St Olaf Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Minnesota Large City
  • St Olaf Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Minnesota 56,666
  • St Olaf 3,124
  • Type
  • Minnesota Public 4 Year
  • St Olaf Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Minnesota #159
  • St Olaf #143

Comparable Facts

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

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Minnesota Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Minnesota Twin Cities 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 Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 1.6% lower than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities ($13,630 vs. $13,856).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 55.8% higher at St Olaf than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $21,398 more per year; $59,760 vs. $38,362).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (100% vs. 65%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 259.3% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($45,098 vs. $12,552).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at St Olaf than at Minnesota (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Minnesota and St Olaf.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Minnesota Jan 1, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Minnesota average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at St Olaf (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.3% at Minnesota vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates have a $6,815 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($20,185 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Minnesota graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($208 vs. $279).
  • More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 74%).

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

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