St Olaf vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester

Comparable Facts

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

St Olaf College is larger than University of Minnesota-Rochester based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 578 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); University of Minnesota Rochester is in Rochester, MN (Midsize City setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Rochester is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; University of Minnesota Rochester 13:1.

St Olaf vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota Rochester than St Olaf ($14,953 vs. $26,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 2.6% lower than at University of Minnesota Rochester ($13,630 vs. $13,994).
• St Olaf College is 298% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Minnesota-Rochester (about $44,744 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $15,016.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 298% higher at St Olaf than at University of Minnesota Rochester (about $44,744 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $15,016.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of Minnesota Rochester (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 220.8% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Rochester students ($45,098 vs. $14,057).

St Olaf vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St Olaf or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota-Rochester and St Olaf.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 220 points higher than at University of Minnesota-Rochester (1170).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at University of Minnesota-Rochester).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; University of Minnesota Rochester 950/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; University of Minnesota Rochester 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; University of Minnesota-Rochester - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; University of Minnesota-Rochester Jul 31, 2027.
• University of Minnesota-Rochester has a higher acceptance rate (71%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 20.3% at University of Minnesota-Rochester.

St Olaf vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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).

• Graduates from University of Minnesota Rochester earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Rochester graduates have a $6,815 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($20,185 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($208 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Minnesota-Rochester 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.