St Olaf vs. St Lawrence University

Comparable Facts

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

St Olaf College is larger than St Lawrence University based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 1,991 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

St Olaf vs. St Lawrence University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or St Lawrence 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 St Lawrence University ($26,756 vs. $33,216).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 19.8% lower than at St Lawrence University ($13,630 vs. $17,000).
• St Lawrence University is 10.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $6,140 more per year; $65,900.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.3% higher at St Lawrence University than at St Olaf College (about $6,140 more per year; $65,900.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at St Lawrence University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Lawrence University students is 8.2% larger than aid received by St Olaf College students ($48,784 vs. $45,098).

St Olaf vs. St Lawrence University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 50 points higher than at St Lawrence University (1340).
• Incoming St Lawrence University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; St Lawrence University 1255/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; St Lawrence University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; St Lawrence University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; St Lawrence University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at St Lawrence University (3.6).
• St Lawrence University has a higher acceptance rate (54.3%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 12.8% at St Lawrence University.

St Olaf vs. St Lawrence University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and St Lawrence 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 St Lawrence University's (80%).
• Graduates from St Olaf College earn a median of about $600 more per year than St Lawrence University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $53,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St Lawrence University and St Olaf graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, St Lawrence 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 St Lawrence University students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 85%)

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.