Michigan Tech vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan Technological University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (7,403 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan Technological University is located in Houghton, MI (Remote Town setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Michigan Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan Technological University 13:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Michigan Tech vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan Tech 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 Michigan Technological University than St Olaf ($16,879 vs. $26,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan Technological University are 4.3% lower than at St Olaf College ($13,050 vs. $13,630).
• St Olaf College is 212.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan Tech (about $40,637 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $19,123.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39% higher at St Olaf than at Michigan Technological University (about $16,772 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $42,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Michigan Technological University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 126.6% larger than aid received by Michigan Technological University students ($45,098 vs. $19,898).

Michigan Tech vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan Tech 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 Michigan Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 150 points higher than at Michigan Tech (1240).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Michigan Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan Technological University 1130/1350; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan Technological University 25/31; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan Tech - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan Tech students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• Michigan Tech has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Michigan Tech vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Michigan Tech vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan Tech 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 Michigan Technological University's (65%).
• Graduates from Michigan Technological University earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,000 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan Technological University graduates have a $100 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($26,900 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan Tech graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan Tech students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 79%)

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.