St Olaf vs. Lawrence

Comparable Facts

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

St Olaf College is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

St Olaf vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or Lawrence? 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 Lawrence ($26,756 vs. $27,161).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 10.7% lower than at St Olaf College ($12,165 vs. $13,630).
• St Olaf College is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lawrence (about $2,778 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $56,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at St Olaf than at Lawrence University (about $2,778 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $56,982.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College as at Lawrence University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 5.6% larger than aid received by Lawrence University students ($45,098 vs. $42,688).

St Olaf vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 80 points higher than at Lawrence (1310).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; Lawrence University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Lawrence (3.52).
• Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

St Olaf vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and Lawrence? 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 Lawrence University's (77%).
• Graduates from St Olaf College earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St Olaf College graduates have a $350 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,350).
• Among borrowers, St Olaf graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($279 vs. $282).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 76%)

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.