St Olaf vs. Saint Louis University

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Louis University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (17,059 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Saint Louis University is in Saint Louis, MO (Large City setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Louis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Saint Louis University 9:1.

St Olaf vs. Saint Louis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis University ($26,756 vs. $27,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 10.8% lower than at Saint Louis University ($13,630 vs. $15,280).
• St Olaf College is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saint Louis University (about $4,000 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $55,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at St Olaf than at Saint Louis University (about $4,000 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $55,760.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College as at Saint Louis University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 1% larger than aid received by Saint Louis University students ($45,098 vs. $44,657).

St Olaf vs. Saint Louis University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 80 points higher than at Saint Louis University (1310).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Saint Louis University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; Saint Louis University 1200/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; Saint Louis University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Saint Louis University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Louis University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• Saint Louis University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 13.9% at Saint Louis University.

St Olaf vs. Saint Louis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis University's (61%).
• Graduates from Saint Louis University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Louis University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Saint Louis University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Louis University students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 74%)

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.