Northwestern vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Northwestern vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern 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 Northwestern ($26,756 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 35.5% lower than at Northwestern University ($13,630 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 14.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $8,562 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.3% higher at Northwestern than at St Olaf College (about $8,562 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Northwestern University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 42.9% larger than aid received by St Olaf College students ($64,429 vs. $45,098).

Northwestern vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern 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 Northwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 150 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Northwestern vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern 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).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than St Olaf College's (85%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $36,100 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $7,622 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($19,378 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($200 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 87%)

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.