Brandeis University vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

Compare Brandeis University in Waltham, MA with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Brandeis University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (5,205 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Brandeis University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Brandeis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Brandeis University 10:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Brandeis University vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brandeis University 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 Brandeis University ($26,756 vs. $43,550).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 31.7% lower than at Brandeis University ($13,630 vs. $19,944).
• Brandeis University is 13.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $8,320 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Brandeis University than at St Olaf College (about $8,320 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Brandeis University (100% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 5.3% larger than aid received by Brandeis University students ($45,098 vs. $42,841).

Brandeis University vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brandeis University 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 Brandeis University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brandeis University (1460) is 70 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming Brandeis University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 1390/1520; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 31/34; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Brandeis University - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Brandeis University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Brandeis University (40.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Brandeis University vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Brandeis University 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).

• Brandeis University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than St Olaf College's (85%).
• Graduates from Brandeis University earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,700 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St Olaf College and Brandeis University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, St Olaf College and Brandeis University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brandeis University students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 82%)

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.