St Olaf vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than St Olaf based on total student enrollment (51,044 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 Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

St Olaf vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison than St Olaf ($14,235 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 Wisconsin Madison ($13,630 vs. $14,124).
• St Olaf College is 415% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $48,157 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.9% higher at St Olaf than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $17,657 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 154.2% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($45,098 vs. $17,741).

St Olaf vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 60 points higher than at St Olaf (1390).
• Incoming Wisconsin 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; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at St Olaf (3.68).
• St Olaf has a higher acceptance rate (48.3%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

St Olaf vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than St Olaf graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wisconsin students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 84%)

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.