Your chances of getting into St Olaf College
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at St Olaf is 47.4%. Its admission rate is the 3rd lowest in Minnesota and the 190th lowest the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into St Olaf and can you get accepted?
St Olaf is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 3,080 out of the 6,494 who applied were admitted.
The school has extremely high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 16 percent on standardized admission tests. St Olaf College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.68. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 25% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into St Olaf?
47% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to St Olaf College you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.68 or better
- Earn B+ grades in high school
- Score 1340 on the SAT
- Score 30 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class
- Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers
St Olaf GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into St Olaf College?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into St Olaf are to have around a 3.68 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.
Even with a competitive GPA, admission to St Olaf will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at St Olaf is 3.68 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #6 in Minnesota for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since St Olaf is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022
St Olaf SAT Scores
Test Optional
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to St Olaf College. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 16% of students submitted SAT scores and 39% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 620 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 620 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1240 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 720 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 710 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1430 |
| Average SAT Score | 1340
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to St Olaf College?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at St Olaf is 1340 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1240-1430. Students who get into St Olaf College score in the top 19 percent of all SAT test takers.. St Olaf ranks #4 in the state of Minnesota and #121 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1340 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. St Olaf regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1240 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1240, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1140, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
St Olaf College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1340 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1335, you have around a 47% chance of being admitted. A 1430 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 63% chance of getting in.
St Olaf ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 27 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 26 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 28 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 34 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 31 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 33 |
| Average ACT Score | 30
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into St Olaf?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to St Olaf is 30, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 28 and 33. The school ranks #3 in Minnesota and #111 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 30. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 28 and score in the score in the top 12 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 26.
39 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to St Olaf College.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as St Olaf College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "considered but not required".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into St Olaf for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 30 score has around 47% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 66% with a 33 ACT score.
High School Class Rank
68% of St Olaf College freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 38% are in the top ten percent.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 38% |
| Top 25% of class | 68% |
| Top 50% of class | 93% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 3,667 | 2,813 | 6,494 |
| Accepted | 1,812 | 1,261 | 3,080 |
| Acceptance Rate | 49% | 45% | 47% |
| Enrolled | 435 | 317 | 755 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 24% | 25% | 25% |
Fall 2024 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
Applicants have 39 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2024.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to St Olaf College is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to St Olaf College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Considered but not required |
| High School GPA | Required |
| High School Class Rank | Considered but not required |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required |
| Recommendations | Required |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Recommended |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because St Olaf is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.68 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1340 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1430 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 30 on the ACT places you in a strong position.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to St Olaf College often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=174844 IPEDS survey data for St Olaf College.
FAQs
Does St Olaf College prefer SAT or ACT?
16% of students submit their SAT scores to St Olaf. 39% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into St Olaf College?
47% of those who apply are granted admission to St Olaf. Admission competition is low and the college has exceptional admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for St Olaf College?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1240 and 1430. The average SAT score is 1335. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for St Olaf College?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 28 and 33. The average ACT score is 30. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.