Chapman vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

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

Chapman University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (9,760 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chapman University is located in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chapman University 12:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Chapman vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chapman 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 Chapman ($26,756 vs. $47,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 23.5% lower than at Chapman University ($13,630 vs. $17,814).
• Chapman University is 8.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $5,224 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at Chapman than at St Olaf College (about $5,224 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Chapman University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 27.3% larger than aid received by Chapman University students ($45,098 vs. $35,434).

Chapman vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chapman 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 Chapman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 40 points higher than at Chapman (1350).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Chapman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chapman University 1260/1440; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chapman University 28/31; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chapman - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Chapman Jan 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Chapman students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• Chapman has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Chapman vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Chapman vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chapman 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 Chapman University's (72%).
• Graduates from Chapman University earn a median of about $400 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chapman University graduates have a $6,062 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($20,938 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Chapman graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($216 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 65%)

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.