St Olaf vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

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

University of St Thomas is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (9,410 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 St Thomas is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; University of St Thomas 14:1.

St Olaf vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas ($26,756 vs. $31,250).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Olaf College are 8.9% lower than at University of St Thomas ($13,630 vs. $14,969).
• St Olaf College is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of St Thomas (about $5,362 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $54,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at St Olaf than at University of St Thomas (about $5,362 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $54,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of St Thomas (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 26.7% larger than aid received by University of St Thomas students ($45,098 vs. $35,587).

St Olaf vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 50 points higher than at University of St Thomas (1340).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at University of St Thomas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; University of St Thomas 1260/1423.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; University of St Thomas 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; University of St Thomas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at University of St Thomas (3.63).
• University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 20.8% at University of St Thomas.

St Olaf vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas's (74%).
• Graduates from University of St Thomas earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of St Thomas graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of St Thomas graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of St Thomas students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 80%)

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.