St Olaf vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

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

Dakota State University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (3,774 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

St Olaf vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or Dakota State? 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 Dakota State University than St Olaf ($20,438 vs. $26,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 28.5% lower than at St Olaf College ($9,742 vs. $13,630).
• St Olaf College is 519% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $50,106 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 368.5% higher at St Olaf than at Dakota State University (about $47,004 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Dakota State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 739.7% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($45,098 vs. $5,371).

St Olaf vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St Olaf or Dakota State? 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 Dakota State and St Olaf.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 70 points higher than at Dakota State (1320).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 18% at Dakota State.

St Olaf vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and Dakota State? 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 Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from St Olaf College earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota State University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dakota State graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 67%)

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.