St Olaf College
- Graduation Rate
- 84% A-
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $65,543 A
- Top 10% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $23,874 D
- 39% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 48% B+
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.8 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $20.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,893,655.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 61% more than the national college median.
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A 84% graduation rate — 47% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $20.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why St Olaf College Matters
St Olaf College is a private liberal arts college in Northfield, MN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 10% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 3,093
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 39
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Physical Sciences, Psychology
Why students choose St Olaf College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 48% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1300–1470. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $23,874 a year after grants and scholarships — 39% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $65,543 ten years after enrolling — 61% above the typical college, against $26,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.75 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, is a solid choice for students who thrive in a close-knit, liberal arts environment. With an acceptance rate of 48%, it attracts a diverse group of students interested in fields like Social Sciences, Biology, Visual & Performing Arts, Psychology, and Mathematics. The college’s emphasis on a well-rounded education prepares students to think critically and creatively, which can be an asset in today's job market.
After graduation, St. Olaf alumni can expect to earn an average salary of $65,543 within ten years. That’s a decent starting point for many graduates, especially considering the school’s strong graduation rate of 84%. The ability to secure good jobs speaks to the college's focus on preparing students for the workforce, but it’s also important to consider the financial aspect of this choice.
When it comes to costs, the average net price after aid is $23,874, and students typically graduate with a median debt of $26,000. This means that while the financial commitment is significant, it’s manageable for many. Students who do well here tend to be those who engage deeply with their studies and take advantage of the community resources. Overall, St. Olaf offers a supportive environment for students aiming for meaningful careers while keeping an eye on affordability.
Rankings
- #13 Best Bachelor's Programs in Minnesota
- #14 Best Master's Programs in Minnesota
- #14 Best Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #14 Best Data Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #15 Best Psychology Colleges in Minnesota
- #15 Best Biology Colleges in Minnesota
- #17 Best Colleges in Minnesota
- #19 Best Education Colleges in Minnesota
Can I Get In?
How selective St Olaf College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into St Olaf College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
St Olaf College, located in Northfield, Minnesota, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 48%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,380. The graduation rate is roughly 84%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 48%
- Retention Rate
- 92%
- SAT Average
- 1380
- ACT Midpoint
- 31
- SAT Range
- 1300–1470
- ACT Range
- 28–32
- Full-Time Faculty
- 76%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,218
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.53
- First-Gen Students
- 13%
- Applicants
- 5,524
- Admitted
- 3,116
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend St Olaf College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at St Olaf College is $59,760, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,874. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,404 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $59,760
- Out-of-State
- $59,760
- Avg Net Price
- $23,874
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 42%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,404
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,342
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,584
- Family Income $110K+
- $33,166
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is St Olaf College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of St Olaf College earn a median of $65,543, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,373
- 8 Years
- $56,797
- 10 Years
- $65,543
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 71%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (625)
- 82%
- 100% (625)
- 82%
- 100% (625)
- 82%
- 100% (625)
- 82%
How St Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is St Olaf College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, St Olaf College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $23,874/year ($95,496 total). Graduates earn $65,543 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,989,151 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,893,655 (20.8× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 84% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $95,496
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,989,151
- Net Return
- $1,893,655
- ROI Multiple
- 20.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $23,874
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 84%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $9,700,409
- Investment Income
- $-5,561,768
Top Programs
The fields St Olaf College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Social Sciences 19%
- Biology & Biomedical 10%
- Physical Sciences 9%
- Psychology 9%
- Visual & Performing Arts 8%
- Mathematics & Statistics 7%
- Education 4%
- Health Professions 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for St Olaf College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CAerospace Engineer$130,720 · 6% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into St Olaf College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
St Olaf College, located in Northfield, Minnesota, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 48%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,380. The graduation rate is roughly 84%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend St Olaf College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at St Olaf College is $59,760, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,874. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,404 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
Is St Olaf College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of St Olaf College earn a median of $65,543, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is St Olaf College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at St Olaf College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.75, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 12% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to St Olaf College.
- Rhodes CollegeMemphis, TN · Close peer83% grad $66,651 earn 50% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Augustana CollegeRock Island, IL · Close peer76% grad $62,971 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Gustavus Adolphus CollegeSaint Peter, MN · Close peer76% grad $65,607 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Furman UniversityGreenville, SC · Close peer80% grad $68,635 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Jacksonville UniversityJacksonville, FL · Close peer54% grad $68,010 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- Centre CollegeDanville, KY · Close peer83% grad $66,240 earn 54% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is St Olaf College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at St Olaf College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.75, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 12% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note