St Olaf vs. Nebraska

Comparable Facts

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

University of Nebraska Lincoln is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (24,393 students vs. 3,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); University of Nebraska Lincoln is in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska Lincoln is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; University of Nebraska Lincoln 17:1.

St Olaf vs. Nebraska Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or Nebraska? 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 Nebraska Lincoln than St Olaf ($18,322 vs. $26,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 3.5% lower than at University of Nebraska Lincoln ($13,630 vs. $14,120).
• St Olaf College is 472.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nebraska (about $49,326 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $10,434.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.1% higher at St Olaf than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (about $31,176 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $28,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 327.8% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students ($45,098 vs. $10,541).

St Olaf vs. Nebraska Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 180 points higher than at Nebraska (1210).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Nebraska).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; University of Nebraska Lincoln 1098/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; University of Nebraska Lincoln 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Nebraska - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Nebraska May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Nebraska (3.63).
• Nebraska has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 29.8% at Nebraska.

St Olaf vs. Nebraska Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and Nebraska? 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 University of Nebraska Lincoln's (67%).
• Graduates from St Olaf College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Nebraska graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska Lincoln graduates have a $5,300 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($21,700 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Nebraska graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($224 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nebraska students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 73%)

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.