St Olaf vs. Marquette University

Comparable Facts

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

Marquette University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (11,746 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Marquette University is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Marquette University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Marquette University 14:1.

St Olaf vs. Marquette University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or Marquette 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 St Olaf College than Marquette University ($26,756 vs. $34,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 17.3% lower than at Marquette University ($13,630 vs. $16,490).
• St Olaf College is 16.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marquette University (about $8,590 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $51,170.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at St Olaf than at Marquette University (about $8,590 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $51,170.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College as at Marquette University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 36.7% larger than aid received by Marquette University students ($45,098 vs. $32,996).

St Olaf vs. Marquette University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 110 points higher than at Marquette University (1280).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Marquette University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; Marquette University 1200/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; Marquette University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Marquette University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Marquette University Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Marquette University (3.56).
• Marquette University has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 14.1% at Marquette University.

St Olaf vs. Marquette University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and Marquette 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 Marquette University's (81%).
• Graduates from Marquette University earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,500 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Marquette University and St Olaf graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Marquette 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 Marquette University students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 81%)

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.