DePaul vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

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

DePaul University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (21,210 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• DePaul University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: DePaul University 17:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

DePaul vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePaul 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 DePaul ($26,756 vs. $34,135).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 28.6% lower than at DePaul University ($13,630 vs. $19,095).
• St Olaf College is 29.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than DePaul (about $13,761 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $45,999.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.9% higher at St Olaf than at DePaul University (about $13,761 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $45,999.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at DePaul University as at St Olaf College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 54% larger than aid received by DePaul University students ($45,098 vs. $29,285).

DePaul vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DePaul 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 DePaul.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 150 points higher than at DePaul (1240).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at DePaul).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 1140/1330; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 25/31; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DePaul - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DePaul Feb 1, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePaul students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• DePaul has a higher acceptance rate (75.9%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at DePaul vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

DePaul vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DePaul 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 DePaul University's (66%).
• Graduates from DePaul University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, DePaul University graduates have a $3,668 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($23,332 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, DePaul graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($241 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePaul students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 62%)

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.