St Olaf vs. Augustana University

Comparable Facts

Compare St Olaf College in Northfield, MN with Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St Olaf College is larger than Augustana University based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 2,390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

St Olaf vs. Augustana University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or Augustana University? 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 Augustana University than St Olaf ($24,977 vs. $26,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Augustana University are 24.2% lower than at St Olaf College ($10,326 vs. $13,630).
• St Olaf College is 48.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Augustana University (about $19,600 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $40,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.8% higher at St Olaf than at Augustana University (about $19,600 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $40,160.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College as at Augustana University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 48.1% larger than aid received by Augustana University students ($45,098 vs. $30,445).

St Olaf vs. Augustana University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St Olaf or Augustana University? 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 Augustana University and St Olaf.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 130 points higher than at Augustana University (1260).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at Augustana University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; Augustana University 1150/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; Augustana University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Augustana University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Augustana University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• Augustana University has a higher acceptance rate (67.7%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 26.1% at Augustana University.

St Olaf vs. Augustana University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and Augustana University? 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 Augustana University's (65%).
• Graduates from St Olaf College earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Augustana University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Augustana University and St Olaf graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Augustana University and St Olaf 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 Augustana University students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 83%)

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.