St Olaf vs. University of Richmond

Comparable Facts

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

University of Richmond is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (3,722 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 Richmond is in University of Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Richmond is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; University of Richmond 7:1.

St Olaf vs. University of Richmond Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or University of Richmond? 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 University of Richmond ($26,756 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 20.5% lower than at University of Richmond ($13,630 vs. $17,140).
• University of Richmond is 9.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than St Olaf (about $5,470 more per year; $65,230.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at University of Richmond than at St Olaf College (about $5,470 more per year; $65,230.00 vs. $59,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of Richmond (100% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Richmond students is 13.2% larger than aid received by St Olaf College students ($51,039 vs. $45,098).

St Olaf vs. University of Richmond Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Richmond (1470) is 80 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming University of Richmond students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at St Olaf).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; University of Richmond 1410/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; University of Richmond 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; University of Richmond - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; University of Richmond Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Richmond students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than University of Richmond (22.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 23.5% at University of Richmond.

St Olaf vs. University of Richmond Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and University of Richmond? 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 Richmond's (83%).
• Graduates from University of Richmond earn a median of about $20,200 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,900 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Richmond graduates have a $5,852 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($21,148 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Richmond graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($218 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Richmond students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 75%)

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.