St Olaf vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare St Olaf College in Northfield, MN with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Methodist University is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

St Olaf vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or SMU? 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 SMU ($26,756 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 28.5% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($13,630 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $7,280 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.2% higher at SMU than at St Olaf College (about $7,280 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Southern Methodist University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 20.2% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($45,098 vs. $37,520).

St Olaf vs. SMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Methodist University (1420) is 30 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming SMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have the same average high school GPA (3.68) as students at SMU (3.68).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 17.8% at SMU.

St Olaf vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and SMU? 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 Southern Methodist University's (75%).
• Graduates from Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $19,300 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,000 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU 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.